w inmate ged inciden Cooper’s m’s decision cou Flori t was making ouda Today reports thca Hills famil1985 conviction inld lead to the overtu t. e y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o ling of a ru their 11-y ri Enough Of of has the Your Lovtie”es say the o Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino an d agree s. Th cal watcher s say, to de case Both the C ivide alifornia an and more th d nited S past appeals an a dozen lower U tates suprem courts hav . e rejected Ce courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g terest. N igh-profile case that said in his execu uilt or intiv York Times has drawn Sen. Kamew internatioen order ’ co 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer lum alaGet nistby app for free downloading Harthe N ris an ic have all ca1. h o las Kristof, al ind reality T Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your for Google U itlled from orV The App .S starApple re-testingPlay forensic tech . using curren Kim Kardashian SUL n o tablet or smartphone. lo g y. t, more sen The AStore gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P CLU and o sitive groups hav th er m attress befboroke into a Louisiaonlice h a deeper in e also urged Califuoman rights and soci ho News ouretl officers arrested haim ves gation rnia state o al et into Cooper . fficials to lajustice s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o es te m Mel E unch ’s convictio m’s order F tion issued stes in ThSuulphur officers saan n . ri d b ay y e w fo rs x d rmer Gov. pan test four costume. ThJeremie Moran wal ay re rry Brownds previous direcking th ey had rece lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe in so D n looking in ec e em st ev an orange s to perform DN idence. Brown’s ber to to homes.ived calls abou E to A stes prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tanorder al- bo proached bsays Moran ran in dle dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; a hom R In this new used in theand sheath of a hat y ch en arges incluut was discovered to chet Joshua Ryen, the ’s home with a tota murders. investigatio hiding. ding resistin of hair from tr y, l v n w m o ic , f o ti et an 1 g u th m h 4 n al s will lo an 3 e victims’ h s’ d on his th poss sion button Co ands, bloyost and wearinofficer, roat. He w8-year-old son, suffsterab wounds. ing in the San B k at strand tack. In Louisiaes oper’s atto d samplesoan g as the only tigators pla er s ed n n rn a, th ar a ey a e d in sl in p al as N er p le o h o ublic can b son convicatemas gations Co County are survivor of Angeles Co nted at the scene rman Hile mainta d a green le After Coopers’s o e D do p n th se er .A o m e t n ’s .’s o su tenced to atst. Exceptio atto rprised abo o ce. Man three ye vestigation unty Superior Couof the crime. A reins inves- al gally stayed in a h jail break, investig ns are allow ut racial biaffi y of themrneys are making ab h o li d . ay ators found so say they tired Los ouse next rt judge wil se ed s s o like Hallow for religiou do fo , e il- complaints and discriminatio frequently compla ut their l oversee th Coo er, 61 een and M It’s unclea in about are handled n in the w e in- family’s station uwnd evidence in theoRr to the victims. hTh , has main ar years. Hispla r if g an M m g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n has a ladwi Gras st last mon n that tied ’s home and eir cases or secutor Mic For some, G by Gov. N wyers hope the resu ed his innocence th u C yer w n , in o h d a o ae er o p th S v. Bernardino help prove ewsom, which cou lts of the re-testin over the oinf g in the case is beinNewsom’s order toerbto the murders. e on socipalressure for makinlgSelyem, who is Wan h g cr ld it g ro th th m e, o u m ad ta rd ei d e ed resigned et e an k r client’s in er Observer en NA te m rders Jo Newspapers . His insult him. 30 Volume 34 Number Thursday, June 6, 2019 ismSouthern st- chelle Obama,iaU shua Ryenwith dof nocence eanseveral months, wed ay. The lonDCalifornia porters ofuGroup s targeteddforacist and commen ill th an e ,S d finally ex th su ts B . d e rm R la In 1985, a rv fa R ep ck er iv y m en . o F sh il M r ir s y, ooting victi ey are disap st axine Water and Hughes onerate friends an San Diego on four co pointed w s and an uLnady Mi“Unfortun ith the gov all across the statdesup- Los Thomas R. Parkmer. named 26 and an unts of murder. ACt ounty jury convicte at er , Angeles offi el say n a former d ep ce cord - incluescaped prison inmthe time of his arre d Cooper nfor justice in this cay,seover time it seemosr’s decision. , u b ty el head of the ieves This guy is o District st, he was e victims’ d FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim innocent,” Cooper. Attorney Jamatters less and leth esire “The evidence “Prior DN ries and the ania – did ss h in e ,” so al to S n an ld re A w n as A B th d er o not help his te er e p n n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d, he was stand.” th aimed ou case. inor erly named in 1958 framed, thYork Times. ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. What has k per’s guilw e cops lied e him have t, agreed to t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe all confirm e case goin deral appel and nsylvania. was born , he was ad Y et ed g la p D te er M u an su W ec co ri r. o d Cooper By Earl Heath ng his il ution and re urt CooSACRAMENTO, Calif. – California prosecuhe was six monies and asive arguments alive - is dhood, hpisted and renamed hKen LAKE (AP) iew the ca’ssedecision in 2004tors anWriter d he spench allegations based on co FO Contributing Sports evin Coop er Gov. Newvso allege a man stole $750,000 inRpublic funds t p re E ar o ST, assistance as en is w st t o o it ay re a ts n f h n ab co g ev fl h p alif. (AP m o ic le is h v id o juvenileteam ore scienthrough ering Transfer ysically abu ting testi- DNA te . gat questions ab ence tamper m’s decisio ex part of ad - yo Benefit The UCLA softball won thed WCWS in odramatic )–O after beinC an Electronic scheme that obd ti et fi fficials st c en se n o in ev in o rs d ti n le u to g g id o g u t sc h ro , n cenatesingle sed to nail C comes earl the method ence. information stru im keep raisin allow anotained en ad infrom ce living in mental hea ripped ck bholders California fashion as Kinsleya Washington field S rs. Into19right o y u personal 655 EBT card a th th y at g s police ca o er er ta an in o n ck lt p d G se 8 ro th er h C 2 , st o v . u , e L fa al er an v o Th n C er ag if ri ci te al d C d o n o es re li u rm al o rn o o in ty n e h p in r if f a ia. ave high ex wea to score pinch runnerorn Jaqui a er escaped fr in the sw v Pennthe through messages. ia. Prober giving e progrescam th sylvteam e Orange CBeach Police Office p tationws.hose supporters onofthth ania before om three attackers whoorn testimony, Joshpons were used inesthtissivetext During his 5-4 win to claim the title. ounty Reg Thomas M “DNA teec General Xavier Becerra’s office saidr Friday ua Ryen sa e poliAttorney could have e m w er so o v e m in ti W ca eo g m is st h l to n te c u in g it LefAntonio e’s pused id he saw solve the rder trial,the r he into e. He later been Hispan g should im ed th13th t Feb Gibson et whthe The title wasuthe the program, first since at Cofor it that Jawuan information iacreen lly thoug p te o R ro th F p st ic m y se u . e er en ifi . ed rt 1 cu ca ed kIt 9 h ia illewas t ca . to er yenschool te d th se rs ar C co d ly at h te h , their history. su an m 2010 and 118thRin the second Bruin ia ta th u d cc p d fin sband and ng sa keatelacloned ey in front o EBT cards and funds from ATMs. 0-year-old ce to re McGwithdraw wife Dougessfully ar- ban named Diana Rolicating the prosecuti neidays. uire2saand that DNA id during the campally ensure justicepis ghbor Ch1ri -was arrested daughter Je walk-off in three Gibson May into Los An- f ys wbooked per came fo and Peggy ons’ claims, elonging to th h ev ai e st en se g an ss id o n p ic rv en h im . h a e ed “N er ce an al g rw ,” ot out to ch a w m- but testing her fo ot onlygeles d an 1 wsay ard with blo ughes. coach “The history is as old as dirt,” saidHUCLA as bagents n help ineck, h igger thseized is it County Po Kelly in this caca proven jail. Authorities Animal C ody clothoin an a h$20,000 found the1-year-old dinesal. She turned thermer boyfriend who w se wouldlacow enforcement cash ouresidence Inouye-Perez. “I’m so proud to be a part of it,liceplayer, se cat. o E n at that time and a later search of his hotel g v tr so en evidence ov bloodied o to troyed it. as lv l o th an e a ffi m cr o v ce u an imes$950,000 rs rushed th imal ATM , trau in cash, er to the p iolent crim- is bold, he is gh Newsom’s d e at no cost to assistant, head coach. This is about the here and now. hospitcard turned other al, whreaders eb the stup African Am olice, but th ma. ere it wand ate.” issue that C treading carefull ecision in the C This is about UCLA softball in 2019. This team got on a ericans, His as diagnoleseedin ey equipment. o y o al p o if D er n o p r. rn a an ca K p ia se ic w ri o s and other voters across tenti ly po The case filed atching. H sti Krause,County alleges two d w mission.” Inouye-Perez earned her 600th win and second she exin a veterinaria e is keepin minorities larizing pecSacramento e politicalalsp ts th National Title. liv- Contin g his focuth 11-poofungrand n,access counts of grand theft and one of tells the ne back into th ecount d (5-ktheft s on fairnes ectrum are ued on p ilogram) ca e Bubba Nickles and Brianna Perez got things going in w il d age A2 to four or more persons. s cards af and juissued te t to be r M it cG re st ic g u ai e ir n e s stto the bottom of the first by hitting with back to back home visitButler rencomDefense attorney that if heCarmen ed thedeclined gth. b o se b es it again, ca runs. ment. he’ll issue at on Friday. H Brianna Tautalafua of Carson led off the fifth with a ticket for ja yw homer to give the Bruins a 4-3 lead. She had three hits on the night. Aaliyah Jordan and Washington chipped in with two hits apiece. The Bruins (56-6) were one out from the title when Shay Knighton homered in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 4-4 for the Sooners (56-7). As she rounded the bases Garcia smiled. SOUTH HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) – A New Hamp“Its an inside joke” said Garcia. “ I literally looked at shire man got a big surprise as he went to close up his iPad. each one of my teammates and said we’re gonna be ok we’re A bat was wedged between the back of the device and its gonna punch back.” cover and bit his finger. The game was closer than the 16-3 open win in game Roy Syvertson, of South Hampton, tells WMUR-TV one.“Yesterday was kind of a game where you just kind of it felt like a bee sting at first. When he realized he was dealgot to flush it, got to let it go,” said Oklahoma’s Sydney ing with a bat, he pressed down on the cover to keep it Malia Quarles (10) of Cerritos is greeted by teammates after hitting a go ahead homer during WCWS. (UCLA from flying away. Continued on page A6 The 86-year-old managed to get the bat outside but courtesy photo) later found him dead. It turned out that the bat was rabid. Syvertson went to the hospital for rabies treatments. When asked how the bat got into his house and iPad case last week, Syvertson had a ready-made response. He quipped: “My joke of, ‘He probably knew my password,’ won’t last forever.”
Welcome to Observer Interactive
Deeper Content. Pictures Move. Ads Talk. Live Shopping.
Man in Go Breaks in ril Hides UndHo er
News Observer FFRREEEE!!
Los Angeles
Bruins National Champs
Bobcat Re cover Man Held EBT Aftin er Being H it Funds Theft Police Car
Bitten by Rabid Bat Hiding in iPad
Central Park Five Doc Debuts By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent The morning after Ava DuVernay’s four-part Netflix miniseries about the Central Park Five, “When They See Us,” premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, she was in a daze. “I don’t drink, and I don’t do any other kinds of substances,” she told Rolling Stone, “but I think I have a hangover.” She had the headache, but also the hazy memory of the community she’d felt the previous night, screening her labor of love in the neighborhood that raised the five teenagers wrongfully convicted of brutally raping jogger Trisha Meili on April 19, 1989. It was a whirlwind of fellowship that involved “a lot of smiles, hugs, and a lot of tears,” DuVernay said. “When They See Us,” debuted on Netflix on Friday, May 31. The true and gripping tale of five boys of color between the ages of 14 and 16 who were forced to falsely confess to the rape of a white woman in New York’s Central Park, has received critical acclaim with reviewers noting that it’s “impassioned,” and “moving.” One critic said it’s “must-see TV.” We already have a category of movies that we expect to artfully, if painfully edify – think of 12 Years a Slave, or Schindler’s List – but we’re not acculturated to it on television, said Willa Paskin of Slate Magazine. On April 19, 1989, the lives of Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, and Korey Wise changed forever. News media described them as “a wolf pack,” and “animals,” and then-citizen Donald Trump took out a fullpage ad in four New York City area newspapers attacking the youth and calling for the return of the death penalty. Decades after they’d been exonerated, Trump still has refused to rescind his damning words against the men and he even denounced a multi-million civil settlement reached between New York City and the five men. “Trump was the fire starter,” Salaam said. “Common
CHICAGO (AP) – New research suggests that states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act eliminated racial differences in being able to quickly start on treatment after a diagnosis of advanced cancer. The law that is often called “Obamacare” let states expand Medicaid eligibility and offer subsidies to help people buy health insurance. Yale University researchers used electronic health records on 36,000 patients across the United States to gauge its impact. Before the law, 5% fewer blacks were starting treatment within a month of their cancer diagnoses. In states that expanded Medicaid, that difference went away. Results were featured Sunday at a cancer conference in Chicago.
Tracy Morgan to Host The ESPYs (Photo: Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix)
citizens were being manipulated and swayed into believing that we were guilty.” The police-coerced confessions were the only evidence against them, but racism made the boys convenient scapegoats and metaphors for all that had gone wrong in a stratified, corrupt, crime-ridden, rape-infested, and fearful New
York City, according to Slate. DuVernay, who took on the project after Santana suggested it to her via tweet, wants to dramatize what the criminal justice system and New York City stole from these innocent teenagers. The series begins on the day of the rape. Antron Continued on page A2
Queen of Creole Cuisine’ and Civil Rights Icon
Chef Leah Chase Dies at 96
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent Known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” Leah Chase carved out quite the niche in and around New Orleans for more than six decades. During that time, she fed individuals like Quincy Jones, Jesse Jackson, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, James Baldwin, Ray Charles, Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and countless others as Executive Chef of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant — one of the best-known and most culturally significant restaurants in New Orleans. “If your soul is in New Orleans, I know what to give you,” Chase once said in response to being asked if she served soul food. “I’m going to give you some jambalaya. I can give you some stewed chicken. I can give you some shrimp Creole,” she said. The renowned cook and freedom fighter, Chase died on Saturday, June 1. She was 96. “Her daily joy was not simply cooking but preparing meals to bring people together. One of her most prized contributions was advocating for the Civil Rights Movement through feeding those on the front lines of the struggle for human dignity,” Chase’s family said in a statement announcing her death. “She saw her role and that of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant to serve as a vehicle for social change during a difficult time in our country’s history,” the family said. Born on January 6, 1923 in New Orleans, Chase was
‘Obamacare’ Gave Blacks More Timely Cancer Care
one of 14 children. She was raised in the small town of Madisonville, Louisiana. There were no high schools for black children, so after sixth grade, Chase moved to New Orleans to live with an aunt, according to her official biography. After completing high school, Chase had a colorful work history including managing two amateur boxers and becoming the first woman to mark the racehorse board for a local bookie. Her favorite job, though, was waiting tables in the French Quarter. It was there that she developed her love for food and feeding others. In 1946, she married local musician Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr., whose father had opened a street corner stand selling lottery tickets and his wife’s homemade po’boy sandwiches. Eventually, Leah and Dooky Jr. took over the business, which by then had become a sit-down restaurant and a favorite local gathering place. In a town deeply divided by segregation, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant was one of the only public places in New Orleans where mixed race groups could meet to discuss strategy for the local Civil Rights Movement. Although such gatherings were illegal through most of the 1960s, Dooky Chase’s was so popular; it would have caused a public uproar if local law enforcement had interrupted the meetings.
Man Who Helped Desegregate School in 50s Gets Diploma
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – An 84-year-old man who was among the first five black students to enroll at a Delaware high school finally has his diploma. The Delaware News Journal reports Salesianum High School in Wilmington gave a diploma to Fred Smith on Friday. Smith and four other black students enrolled at Salesianum in 1950, four years before the Brown v. Board of Education case that dismantled school segregation. The Army drafted Smith while the four other men graduated. After two years in the Army, Smith went straight to a job so he could support his mother and two younger siblings. He never graduated. After he received his degree from the Catholic school on Friday, Smith returned to Citibank, where he still works the overnight shift, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
California Housing Crisis, Legislature Has No Fix Yet
Continued on page A3
Her daily joy was not simply cooking but preparing meals to bring people together.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Comedian Tracy Morgan will host The ESPYs honoring the year’s top sports performances and achievements. The star of “The Last O.G.” will preside over the annual show airing live July 10 on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Previous hosts include Danica Patrick, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Hamm and Lance Armstrong.
“Her daily joy was not simply cooking but preparing meals to bring people together. One of her most prized contributions was advocating for the Civil Rights Movement through feeding those on the front lines of the struggle for human dignity,” Chase’s family said in a statement announcing her death. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Blake Nelson)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Crisis. Emergency. California lawmakers are describing the state’s housing crunch in dire terms. But few seem to agree on what to do about it. The political wrangling over the last few weeks around bills to cap rent increases, set new rules for evictions and cut red tape to build more housing reveal big splits in the Legislature when it comes to one of the most pressing issues of the session. The state Assembly passed a bill capping rent increases at 7% plus inflation for some tenants. That bill now goes to the state Senate. But proposed rules on evictions have not gotten a vote. And a bill that would encourage building more homes in some areas will not get a vote this year.
A2
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Thursday, June 6, 2019
World & Nation
“Black” or “African American?”
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent In a recent televised commentary, Dr. Greg Carr, chair of Howard University’s Department of Afro-American Studies kick-started a stirring conversation that has mostly taken place inside the confines of Black communities around the country. Carr tackled the sometimes-uncomfortable topic of identifying as Black versus African-American. “Despite the dictionary definitions, there is no term that truly describes people that were taken from Africa and forced into slavery,” Carr said during commentary on Washington, D.C.’s WUSA. NNPA Newswire followed up by reaching out to several individuals of color – Blacks, African Americans – in attempt to gain the pulse of just which way many lean. “Many Africans who live in North America but were born and raised in Africa do not like to be labelled as Black,” said Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, the founder of Future Black Female, an organization that helps create opportunities for Black female youth to participate fully and beneficially in academic, economic and social endeavors. “Growing up in Africa, where almost everyone is Black makes it difficult for people who grow up in that environment to understand, grasp and identify with Black as a signifier the same way that people born and raised in the West do,” Chimbganda said. “While Africans dealt with colonization and many of the same oppressive practices of white supremacy, they were a majority and once their leaders took over government, for the most part, oppression ceased to be about race and more about tribalism and ethnic rivalry,” Chimbganda said. Harvard and Yale-trained physician, Dr. Hisla Bates, said race is a social construct and shouldn’t define anyone. “I don’t like to be called Black or African American because it doesn’t define me and is dismissive of my heritage and ethnic makeup. I am from the Caribbean and prefer Caribbean American rather than African American,” Bates said. “There are so many ways to be ‘Black’ and so many mixtures and countries that when we define people by a Hip Hop Activist and author Sean XLG Mitchell, said there’s a significant difference between the labels of single color, we miss multiple parts of who they are. That is ‘Black,’ ‘African American,’ and ‘People of Color.’ (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)
Central Park Five Documentary Continued from page A1
(Caleel Harris and, as an adult, Jovan Adepo), Raymond (Marquis Rodriguez and Freddy Miyares), Kevin (Asante Blackk and Justin Cunningham) , Yusef (Ethan Herisse and Chris Chalk), and Korey (Jharrel Jerome) are going about their regular lives: talking about the Yankees with a father and dreaming of becoming a shortstop; kissing a girlfriend; lugging an instrument around after school. Though they don’t know each other particularly well, they all wind up in a group of about 25 boys who head into the park that night, where some goof around, while others harass bikers or a homeless guy. The police descend, arresting a handful of them, but the cops don’t consider any of them suspects in anything particularly serious. That changes after the rape victim is discovered in the early hours of the morning and Assistant District Attorney Linda Fairstein decides the boys’ presence in the
park that night can’t be a coincidence. Despite there being no physical evidence that the boys were involved, the police set out to make the facts fit the theory of the case. They start trying to get confessions and names, which they use to pick up additional suspects. Korey Wise, whose name is not on the police’s list, goes down to the precinct with Yusef just to be a good friend. He won’t leave police custody for more than a decade. For his act of kindness, he will spend years at Rikers Island awaiting trial and then 13 years in an adult prison, the only one of the five who was 16 and so sentenced as an adult. When Rolling Stone noted that this story had never been told from the perspective of the five men, DuVernay said she started just speaking with the men first.
“That was my first way in. And from there I folded in all of the court transcripts, different records and files that we were able to get a hold of through public means or private transfer,” DuVernay said. “We then read every single stitch of press coverage to really get an understanding of the ways in which this was being reported, to understand the propaganda around this case. You know, there was a study done that 89 percent of the articles that were written at the time, by the New York papers, didn’t even use the word ‘alleged,’” DuVernay said. She continued: “I also talked with academics to get underneath the state of New York City at the time. What were the political motivations? “But it always came back to the men and then their families. Over a four-year period, it was just exhaustive. Interviews, but sometimes just spending time. Lunches, dinners, just getting to know them. Sometimes it’s the little things more than just the core stories.”
THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION CONTINUES ITS SERIES ON MISSING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS.
List of Black and Missing Still Growing The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – or NCMEC – said the number of reports of missing children made to law enforcement in the United States now totals more than 424,000.
(From Left to Right) Tawny Reed, Keaisha Hayes-Prater, Ashantay Jones, & Aneesa Reed (courtesy photos)
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent Type the name Tawny Reed in the Google search engine and click on “News.” In doing so, one will find among the results, an obscure 1960s Welsh singer named Tawny Reed and even a headline from the Telegraph newspaper in the United Kingdom that reads, “The beautiful Turkish wonder you’ve probably never heard of.” What you won’t find is Tawny Reed, the missing 14-year-old Black girl from Reno, Nevada who was last seen on May 1. It’s a recurring theme: An African American female goes missing and there’s no radar too low that she won’t fly beneath. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – or NCMEC – said the number of reports of missing children made to law enforcement in the United States now totals more than 424,000. Tawny stands five feet tall and weighs about 130 pounds and authorities haven’t described what she was doing at the time of her disappearance or what she may have been wearing. Less than two weeks before Tawny disappeared, Aneesa Reed also went missing in Reno. Aneesa [no reported relation to Tawny] is 16 and authorities said she’s five-feet and four inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. She was last seen on April 26. Across the state in Las Vegas, Ashantay Jones, 17, also disappeared. The five-feet and 11 inches tall, Ashantay reportedly weighs about 135 pounds. Like Tawny, Aneesa and Ashantay, a Google search of Keaisha Hayes-Prater, yields nothing about the missing black teen in the news section. The 13-year-old, who’s listed at five feet tall and 148 pounds, disappeared on May 3 in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities believe she may still be in the local area, but they’re unsure what may have happened to her. The alarming number of missing black females counts for a large chunk of disappearances nationwide. Yet, as the crisis continues, media attention remains largely diverted. “I worked in Texas as a news anchor and the statistics there are shocking,” said Liz Jeneault, an Emmy-nominated former TV news anchor who once hosted a public affairs show called, “In Focus,” in Texas.
Jeneault, who now works as vice president of marketing for Faveable.com, said she believes some girls have fallen victim to human trafficking. “I interviewed professionals from the University of Texas at Austin about how there are an estimated 79,000 child sex trafficking victims in Texas alone,” Jeneault said. “Houston is known to be a hub for trafficking and is unfortunately where black women and girls are roped into the trade,” she said. It’s really quite prophetic that so many African Americans have gone missing and are forgotten [by society], said Phyllis G. Williams, the co-host of Living the Principles Onward. Of course, they will never be forgotten by their friends and loved ones. “Malcolm X said the most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman and the most neglected person in America is the black woman,” Williams said. “This was stated 57 years ago and sadly the words still ring true. Our lack of protection mixed with constant disrespect and neglect contributes to little effort in being found when we are missing,” she said. “Many Americans are subconsciously programmed to view black women and girls as promiscuous, angry, and of little overall value, which leads law enforcement, media and others to reason that there’s little need to exhaust the system for someone others believe lack wholesomeness,” said Williams, whose family has endured its own unsolved disappearance. “My aunt Doll Crooks has been missing since the mid-1980s and, after more than 30 years, it appears she’s just another cold case,” Williams said. “I can’t help but wonder if my aunt Doll had blonde hair and blue eyes, while living in an upper-middle class neighborhood, [if ] there would have been more detective work [done to find her],” she said Anyone with information about the disappearance of Tawny Reed or Aneesa Reed call the Reno Police Department at 1-775-334-2121. For Ashantay Jones, call the Las Vegas Police Department at 1-702-828-3111. For Keaisha Hayes-Prater, call the Columbus Police Department at 1-614-645-4545. For information on anyone missing, call 1-800-THELOST, or visit www.missingkids.com.
true for Whites as well,” she said. Dr. Gail L. Thompson, the founder and CEO of Inspirations by Gail LLC, said “Black is a general term that includes anyone of African descent, including indigenous Africans, African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and immigrants.” “A Black person can live anywhere in the world,” she said. Thompson defined African American as a U.S. citizen of African descent whose ancestors lived in America before and during the era of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. “I am an African American who can trace my ancestry in the U.S. for five generations,” Thompson said. “According to my DNA test results, my ancestry is 92 percent African, primarily from the Congo/Cameroon region and Benin and Togo.” Further, the term “People of Color” refers to all non-White ethnic/racial groups. It’s a very general term, Thompson said. Hip Hop Activist and author Sean XLG Mitchell, said there’s a significant difference between the labels of ‘Black,’ ‘African American,’ and ‘People of Color.’ “If we use the term Black, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Black only identifies with the color of our skin but it has no cultural connections to who we are as a people,” said Mitchell, the author of “How Do We Build A Real Wakanda?” “As a result of our slave experience, we don’t understand the power and purpose of culture and we seem to be naive in how we regard and respect the unifying principles of culture,” Mitchell said. “Other races of people benefit from employing a language, education, religion, names and customs that are centered around their historical experience and we’re the only people who fail to do so,” he said. Mitchell said it’s important that all of African descent find time to read books like the “Autobiography of Malcolm X,” “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” “Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization,” and “Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery.” “We would [then] have a better insight and understanding of culture,” Mitchell said.
News Observer Los Angeles
Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July 2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. BS007262, Government Code 6023. Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385 Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Assc. Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey
Credo - The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human 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 and opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management are soleley the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editiing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified. The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.: Los Angeles News Observer, Bakersfield News Observer, The Valley’s News Observer Los Angeles News Observer 12655 W. Jefferson Blvd. 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90066 Mailing Address: 309 E. Hillcrest Blvd. #348 Inglewood, CA 90301 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX. (661) 324-9472 General Info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc.com
Thursday, June 6, 2019
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Leah Chase Dies at 96
Features / News 5 State Bills that Could Affect Your Safety
er to be classified as a freelancer, employees would have to prove that the worker is (A) not under the contracting company’s control, (B) is doing work that is not central to the company’s business, and (C) has an independent business providing a service. If workers don’t meet those requirements, companies would have to provide all the required pay and benefits under California law like overtime pay, minimum wage, workers compensation, employee insurance, paid parental leave and healthcare subsidies. Leaders from various industries throughout the state are lobbying Lawmakers in Sacramento to retain the ability to hire certain kinds of freelancers that are critical for their particular trade or businesses. The bill has now moved to the Senate for review.
Continued from page A1
Black voter registration campaign organizers, the NAACP, backdoor political meetings and countless others often found a home at Dooky Chase’s, and Leah cooked for them all, her biography noted. Chase was also a patron of black art and her collection — displayed on the walls of her restaurant — was at one time considered New Orleans’ best collection of African American art. Until her death, Chase served on the board of the New Orleans Museum of Fine Arts and once testified before Congress to lobby for greater funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. She participated in countless political campaigns and has used her culinary talents and celebrity to raise money for a myriad of charities and services. Her cookbooks, including “The Dooky Chase Cookbook,” “And Still I Cook,” and “Leah Chase: Listen, I Say Like This,” are popular and have received great praise among her most famous colleagues. “Leah Chase was a legend, an icon and an inspiration,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “It is impossible to overstate what she meant to our City and to our community. At Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: she made creole cuisine the cultural force that it is today,” Cantrell said. Chase fed Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement and she fed James Meredith and put him up the night before he integrated the University of Mississippi, said Kristen Clarke, the president and executive director of the National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “She provided a space for whites and Blacks to strategize when other restaurants wouldn’t,” Clarke said.
Parents stage a Black Parent Strike March May 22 in front of the State Capitol. (Photo Caption by CBM Staff)
“Her daily joy was not simply cooking but preparing meals to bring people together.
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019145871 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SOLID FURNITURE at 1076 Geraghty Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90063 Mailing Address: County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): SONG CREATIVE ENTERPRISES LLC, 1076 Geraghty Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90063 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: ZHENG SONG, President The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: May 24, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: Maxine Carrasco, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on May 24, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2019
MENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on May 7, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2019
������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019119754 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SCOOPS CATALINA ISLAND at 505 Crescent Ave. Avalon, Ca. 90704 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1069, Avalon, CA. 90704 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): PERICO GALLERY, INC., 407 Crescent Ave. Avalon, Ca. 90704 The business is conducted by: a Corporation SIGNED: KELLY ROWSEY The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/2015 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: May 7, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Registar-Recorder/County Clerk County Clerk By: Sookmin Chang, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATE-
������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019112544 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AUTO PALACE at 460 W 5th St., San Pedro, Ca. 90731 Mailing Address: County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): LOS ANGELES VENTURES LLC, 460 W 5th St., San Pedro, Ca. 90731 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: ROBERT WOLFENDEN The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Apr 29, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: Sookmin Chang, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Apr 29, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: May 9, 16, 23, 30, 2019 �������������������������������
LIEN SALE NOTICE OF LIEN SALE Lien Holder: J&J AUTO CENTER 1549 W. ADAMS BLVD. LOS ANGELES. CA. 90007 Vehicle: 2013 CHEVROLET, IMPALA Vin:2G1WC5E31D1190878 License #: CA 7RUD372 Make: CHEVROLET Date of Sale: 6/13/2019 at 10:00 AM S&B Lien Sales LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 6, 2019 �������������������������������
A3
Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber speaks at a press conference February 6 standing with family members affected by police use of force. (Photo Caption by CBM Staff)
California Black Media Staff Here’s an update on five pieces of California state legislation that could have impact on the conduct of your local police and the way you live. - from how (and how much) you get paid, to the school you select for your children and where you reside (or invest) in rental property. AB 392 The California Act to Save Lives may soon be law. After police groups dropped their opposition to the bill authored by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) last week, a majority of lawmakers came out to support it. If passed, the bill will change the standards for police use of force in California and hold officers more accountable if a suspect is shot. It would also be one of the toughest laws in the country intended to discourage the use of lethal force by police. Weber, who is also chair of the legislative Black Caucus, introduced the bill after police officers shot and killed Stephon Alonzo Clark, a 22-year-old African American man, in the backyard of his grandparents home in Sacramento. With the new changes to the language in the law, the bill stands a fair chance of passing the Senate and making it to the governor’s desk for his signature. Black Lives Matter and some family members of victims
dropped their support after Weber made the changes to the language. They say the amended legislation isn’t as strong or specific enough, and is open to interpretation by the courts. Other family members of victims have maintained their support, saying they understand negotiation is part of the legislative process. “I kept saying I wanted a bill that would make it safe behind and in front of the badge,” said Weber, thanking her colleagues and supporters after the bill passed in the Assembly. AB 5 – Worker Status: Employees and Freelancers Wednesday last week, the state Assembly voted 59-15 to pass AB 5. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the legislation will make if tougher for companies to enter contracts with freelancers and could affect hundreds of thousands of “gig economy” workers across the state, including nail technicians, Uber drivers, Amazon delivery workers and even exotic dancers. Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced the legislation, also known as the “Dynamex Bill” or the “Employee Misclassification bill.” By writing into law specific rules and penalties, AB 5 builds on a California Supreme Court 2018 decision that instructed business to apply an “ABC” test to determine whether a worker is a freelancer or employee. For a work-
SB 756 – Charter School Moratorium Last week, Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) sidelined her own charter school Bill, SB 756. Her proposal called for a 5-year moratorium on charter schools. By temporarily halting the legislation and moving it to an “inactive file,” she has a chance to re-introduce it next year. For the last few months, hundreds of Black parents of charter school students have been campaigning against several charter school laws that were making their way through the state legislature. Together, the proposals sought to slow the growth, take away legal rights and restrict the operations of the independently run, taxpayer funded public schools in the state. Last month, the Assembly passed two of the bills, AB 1505 and AB 1507. The Senate is expected to review and vote on the bills shortly. The California branches of both the National Urban League and the National Action Network opposed the package of bills, including Durazo’s, saying they are attempts to take away education options for Black families who live in neighborhoods where traditional public schools have failed their children for more than 30 years now. In California, about 80 percent of Black students score below the state standard in math and 68 percent fail to meet the English Language Arts requirements. The state chapter of the NAACP supported the bills, arguing that charter schools take away resources from district-run public schools and that they may lead to the re-segregation of public education in America. In California, about 50,000 African-American students attend charter schools. That’s about 8 percent of the total Black student population enrolled in public schools. Gov. Gavin Newsom has commissioned a task force to investigate the impact charter schools have on public education in California. If Sen. Durazo re-introduces the bill, hopefully by then California voters will have access to the findings of the governor’s study to make a more informed decision on whether or not to support SB 756. AB 1506 – Charter School Cap Like Sen. Durazo’s charter school bill in the Senate, a similar proposal in the Assembly, AB 1506, called for a moratorium on charter schools in the state. Both the state NAACP and the California Teachers Association supported the legislation introduced by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who is African-American and a member of the Assembly Education Committee and the Legislative Black Caucus. The National Action Network and the National Urban League wrote an open letter to Gov. Newsom opposing the bill. Last week, a day after Durazo sidelined her bill, McCarty decided to hold his from a floor vote, although it had already been approved by the Education Committee earlier this year. Responding to McCarty’s decision to shelve AB 1506 for now, Myrna Castrejón, president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association issued a statement. “Charter public school families’ voices were heard loud and clear by Sacramento politicians,” she said. “We cannot and will not accept legislation that limits access to great public schools.” AB 1482 – Rent Cap Wednesday evening last week, the Assembly passed AB 1482, a statewide rent cap bill, with a 43-28 vote. Introduced by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), the bill prohibits landlords from raising rents above 7 percent per year, plus annual cost of living increases. Selling the legislation to his colleagues in the Assembly, Chiu talked about the high cost of living in California and urged legislators to take action to protect people who are often a rent hike away from eviction. “They are our neighbors,” he said. “They are our co-workers. They are our brothers and sisters. They are our grandparents.” Since introducing the bill, Chiu has made several changes to it in negotiations with landlord and realtor groups to gain their support. The rent cap, which sets itself to expire in 2023, covers single family homes and condos – even in areas with existing local rent control laws. It exempts landlords with no more than 10 single family homes and properties that are under 10 years old. AB 1482 is expected to undergo more amendments in the Senate.
Sanders, Harris Seeking Hispanic Votes at CA Forum By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris dueled Friday over Hispanic votes in California, a central front in the nation's immigration battle where Latinos represent the state's largest ethnic group. As the nation's most populous state, California holds a trove of 2020 delegates that are being eagerly sought by Democratic presidential rivals. The appearance of the two prominent contenders at a forum organized by immigrant rights activists kicked off several days of intense campaigning in the state, which will culminate at a state Democratic convention in San Francisco where 14 candidates are scheduled to appear. Harris elicited a burst of applause when she told the group that she was a proud daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, then promised that if elected she would
work for comprehensive immigration reform in her first 100 days in office. She also promised to end the “hate-driven” policies of the Trump administration, including the so-called travel ban. “This is a nation that was founded by immigrants,” she said at one point. Any delay, she said, brings more human suffering when families are separated or treated unjustly. “We will fight,” she said. Candidates can expect a skeptical look from many voters, Latino and otherwise, who have heard promises from both parties for years about immigration reform that never arrived. Lisa Luther, who attended a raucous Sanders rally earlier in the day at a nearby convention center, said she
Oregon Bill Cracks Down on Racially Motivated 911 Calls By SARAH ZIMMERMAN Associated Press SALEM, Ore. (AP) _ Oregon moved to crack down on racially motivated 911 calls on Monday, responding to a series of publicized incidents across the country where predominantly white civilians called the police on black people going about everyday activities like napping or barbecuing. Victims of those police calls would be able to sue the caller for up to $250, under a measure overwhelmingly approved by state Senate. The move is a joint effort by the Oregon Legislature's only three black lawmakers and is meant to “shine a spotlight on an issue African Americans have known for far too long,” according to sponsoring Rep. Janelle Bynum. “When someone gets the police called on them for just existing in public, it sends a message that you don't belong here,” said Bynum, the only black member of the House. A black family in Oakland had the cops called on them for barbecuing in the park. A Yale graduate student was questioned for sleeping in her dorm's common room. And a pair of black men were arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks after one of them tried to use the restroom, sparking public outcry and the closure of 8,000 stores across the country for “racial bias” training. Bynum proposed the legislation after being on the receiving ends of such a call. She was canvassing door-todoor for her re-election campaign last year when a woman called 911 because Bynum looked “suspicious.” She said although she was able to get an apology from
the woman, she realized that most people have no way to hold these callers accountable. “This creates a legal pathway to justice for those of us who have to worry about getting the cops called on us for existing in public,” she said. Victims of these calls must be able to prove the caller had racist intent, and that the caller summoned a police officer to purposefully discriminate or damage a person's reputation. That’s difficult to prove, said Sen. Alan Olsen, a Republican and one of the few critics of the bill. He adds it could discourage people from reporting crime, making “our communities less safe.”\ Sen. Lew Frederick, a black lawmaker and one of the measure's co-sponsors, said people could still call the police if they suspect a person is committing a genuine crime. He added that the proposal is about making Oregon “a more equitable community” and formally recognizing the daily hardships faced by minority communities. People of color fear police for reasons a predominantly white Legislature could never understand, Frederick said. Unnecessarily dispatching the police only heightens those tensions between police and the black community. “It’s not just an inconvenience when a police officer stops me,” he said. “When a police officer stops me, I wonder whether I’m going to live for the rest of the day.” Although the measure was approved by the House, the chamber still needs to sign off on a technical change before it heads to the governor.
Kamala Harris (Courtesy photo)
was confident the senator could deliver on immigration reform when other Democrats have failed. Luther, who once worked as a chef, said she has seen firsthand the struggles of immigrants who worked beside her. Sanders “will not let it fall by the wayside,” she said. “It's been so prevalent in ... his campaigns.” California was once a reliably Republican state in presidential elections, but a surge in immigrants transformed the state and its voting patterns. The number of Hispanics, blacks and Asians combined has outnumbered whites in the state since 1998. Meanwhile, new voters, largely Latinos and Asians, lean Democratic. The last Republican to carry the state in a presidential election was George H.W. Bush, in 1988. Expected to join Sanders and Harris at the event are fellow Democratic contenders Julian Castro, a former Obama administration housing secretary, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
A4
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Entertainment Africans v. African Americans Subject of Film Festival Highlighting the program is the US Premiere presentation of Panama Dreams, which transports the viewer on filmmaker Alison Saunders’ modern-day search for descendants of an ancestor who left Barbados in the early 1900s to build the Panama Canal – one of the seven wonders of the modern world, according to a news release.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent Historical and recent migrations have resulted in the merging of cultures and shared experiences. With its Migration Stories Film Series, the African Diaspora International Film Festival presents a rich palette of migration stories from around the world. From Barbadians finding their roots in Panama to Cubans finding their roots in Sierra Leone; with films like “Bound: African Versus African-Americans” and “Borders” ADIFF celebrates our shared experiences from May 31 to June 2 at Columbia University, Teachers College. Highlighting the program is the US Premiere presentation of Panama Dreams, which transports the viewer on filmmaker Alison Saunders’ modern-day search for descendants of an ancestor who left Barbados in the early 1900s to build the Panama Canal – one of the seven wonders of the modern world, according to a news release. It uncovers the complex history of that migration and troubling issues of race and discrimination that faced the West Indians on the Canal Zone and their descendants in present day. Other fascinating stories of cultural transportation are “They Are We,” the story of a remarkable reunion, 170 or so years after a family was driven apart by the ravages of the transatlantic slave trade. The film follows the amazing reunion of members of a small Afro-Cuban ethnic group called Ganga-Longoba – who have retained a collection of distinct songs and dances that one of their ancestors brought from Africa as a slave – and members of the village their ancestor called home in Sierra Leone. In Tunisia, the history of Stambali goes back to the arrival of the first men and women taken as slaves from Mali, Timbuktu specifically. Practicing their music and worship in the house of their masters, the descendants of these enslaved Africans are now Tunisians and their musical traditions survive to this day. “Bound: African Versus African Americans (AVAA),” is a hard-hitting documentary that addresses the unfortunate tension that exists between Africans and African Americans. “AVAA” uses personal testimonials to expose this rift, then it takes us on a journey through the corridors of African and African American historical experiences as it illuminates the moments that divide and those that bind Africans and African Americans. Recent migration stories include “The Citizen about Wilson,” whose family was killed during an outbreak of civil war in Guinea-Bissau. He enters Europe as a political refugee and his main desire is to acquire Hungarian citizenship. “Otomo” counts as a drama that tells the true story of a West African asylum seeker who physically assaulted an intolerant subway ticket-taker; fled, and became the target of a city-wide manhunt in Stuttgart, Germany. Organizers said another film, “Tazzeka,” represents a feel-good comedy drama that is an ode to good food and friendship. It follows young Elias, who learned the secrets of traditional Moroccan cuisine from his grandmother and dreams a becoming a Chef in Paris, France. Two documentaries explore migration stories in the Afro-Latino community. “Invisible Color: Black is More Than a Color,” is the latest documentary by the Dean of Afro-Cuban Cinema Sergio Giral. It investigates the black Cuban exile community in South Florida, since the first wave of political refugees in the 1959 revolutionary aftermath, to today. The film, “The Valley of the Black Descendants,” follows a group of descendants of enslaved men and women brought from Africa who are organizing the first African census in the history of Chile. The ADIFF Migration Stories film series opened on Friday, May 31, with a free screening of the drama, “Borders,” by Mostefa Djadjam, which follows six men and a woman on the hazardous journey from Senegal to Morocco in a bid to slip illegally into Europe to escape from the poverty and internecine warfare of Africa. The ADIFF Migration Film Series takes place at Teachers College, Columbia University - 525 W 120th St. Tickets are $11 and $13. Weekend Pass is $40. For more information, visit http://www.NYADIFF. org
From “Panama Dreams” Directed by Alison Saunders
Tiffany Haddish opens up to David Letterman about her mom in a new episode of Netflix talk show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” Netflix
Tiffany Haddish Chokes Up Detailing Emotional, ‘Very Violent’ Struggles with Her Mom Tiffany Haddish is trading in her trademark humor for teary-eyed vulnerability. The comedian got emotional when she opened up about her childhood relationship with her mother in a conversation with David Letterman in an episode of his Netflix interview show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” which arrives on the streaming service Friday. Haddish, 39, detailed how a head injury “changed everything” about her mom, Leola. “When I was 8, about to be 9, she had a car accident and her head went through a windshield,” Haddish said. “By the grace of God she lived, but she had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, everything all over again.” Re-learning those basic tasks wasn’t the only way the accident affected Haddish’s mom. “I didn’t want to be with my mom no more,” Haddish said. “She had became very violent and very verbally abusive. You never knew who she was going to be. Every day was like a different day.” “Bound: Africans vs. African Americans” Directed by Peres Owino
Octavia Spencer Like You’ve Never Seen Her Before in ‘Ma’ “I said, `Well, usually black people get killed in the first 15 minutes of a horror film,”’ Spencer said. “And he said, `Not only do you not die within the first 15 minutes, but you actually do all the killing.’ I thought, `Ok, I’m interested.”’ By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Octavia Spencer is a movie star. She has been for almost a decade since audiences and Oscar voters fell in love with her as Minnie in “The Help.” Since then she's gotten two more supporting actress Oscar nominations, one of which was for a film that became another “surprise” blockbuster ("Hidden Figures”), ramped up her production company, acted consistently in film and television and written children's books. She even executive produced this year's best picture winner, “Green Book.” But there was one thing she hadn't yet done in her nearly 25 years in the business: Starred in her own film. She'd been a lead before, but she'd never been first on the call sheet. Until now. The film that righted that wrong is “Ma,” a Blumhouse horror movie in which she plays a small town woman who buys beer for some local high school students and lets them party in her basement, before things take a sinister turn. It opens nationwide this weekend, and it's unlike anything audiences have seen Spencer do before. “There are only a couple of archetypes people are comfortable seeing me in. And for me, it's like, you know you might only be comfortable seeing me this way, but there are so many colors in this crayon box,” Spencer, 47, said. “I want to play everything that you don't think I can do.” She'd found herself, despite all the success, being considered for only “nurturer” or “sage” roles. She wanted to stretch. The only reason “Ma” came to her was Tate Taylor, who wrote and directed “The Help,” but also has been Spencer's friend since they were production assistants together on “A Time to Kill” in 1995, dreaming about a move to Los Angeles and a career in movies. The script Taylor saw was written for a white woman, but he thought of Spencer nonetheless.
“She had expressed to me she was frustrated,” Taylor said. “She's grateful for her career but she was being offered the same thing and never the lead. Women of color just don't get the lead unless they're a slave or a maid.” So he called his former roommate (they lived together in a mid-city Los Angeles duplex for seven years), and proposed this semi-deranged film that would be a departure for both of them. “I said, `Well, usually black people get killed in the first 15 minutes of a horror film,”' Spencer said. “And he said, `Not only do you not die within the first 15 minutes, but you actually do all the killing.' I thought, `Ok, I'm interested.”' The script needed some work, though. Ma didn't really have a motivation, she was just crazy, and Taylor changed that. “The things that he changed weren't based on race,” Spencer said. “It was just giving her a backstory, to give her a reason, in her mind, as to why she takes such a dark turn.” But ask Spencer what her dream role is and the answer might surprise you. “I always say, the part of producer,” she said. “Not only do I get to create opportunities for myself but for other people. I still live by that. And if there is something that I'm dying to do, if it's not written, as a producer, I have an option now to create it for myself.” She'd been optioning books going back to her time on “The Help,” but her first executive producing credit actually came about by accident when Ryan Coogler's “Fruitvale Station” lost $150,000 of its $900,000 budget. “I put in some money and then I started making some calls to people... I don't even know that I had the resources. I just knew that it was important for me to do,” Spencer said. “We were not going to let it die on the vine, and I had just worked with people who I knew had the resources and so I called.” She got some nos, but those people regretted it and have since kept bugging her for whatever else she's got. “I say, I'm not going to call you unless I need you again and you know when I make that call it'll be something worthy of your time,” Spencer said with a smile. She's got a lot on her plate right now. She's jet-lagged, for one, having just gotten off a plane from London where she's filming the remake of “The Witches.” She's also teamed up with LeBron James to produce and star in a Netflix series about entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, as well as an AppleTV+ crime drama “Truth Be Told.”
Her company, ORIT Entertainment, doesn't really have a mission statement ("I know people are supposed to have them,” she laughed) but she knows what she's looking for. “The truth is that I want to tell stories that allow for escapism. I want to tell stories that educate, that entertain, that hopefully inspire,” she said. “There are people going through a lot of things and that two hours in the movie theater should be some type of enjoyment.” The name ORIT actually harkens back to a time when people didn't know her name. It was her first day as an
intern in casting director Francine Maisler's office and she kept hearing Maisler call “Orit! Orit!” “I was just sitting by the phone and finally mid-day one of the assistants in the office says, `I think you're Orit,”' Spencer said. She said loves Maisler, by the way, who was embarrassed about the “Devil Wears Prada” moment. And “Orit” kind of became her alter-ego. Besides, Spencer is worlds away from that time of anonymity now. “At this point in my life, I will be heard,” she said.
Octavia Spencer Like You’ve Never Seen Her Before in ‘Ma’
Thursday, June 6, 2019
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5
Sports
Andy Ruiz Jr. Becomes the New IBF, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com This past Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden, we experienced everything that is great about competition as Andy Ruiz Jr challenged Anthony Joshua for the WBA, the WBO and the IBF Heavyweight Championship of the world! This fight showed the world that if you stay ready, you would never have to get ready as Ruiz Jr., received an opportunity of a lifetime. Originally Joshua was supposed to take on Jerrell “Big Baby” Miller in this Championship bout. Though Miller got caught with a banned substance in his system and was disqualified for the fight. Coming off an unusually short lay-off, Andy Ruiz Jr., contacted Eddie Hearn and pleaded for the opportunity to fight Joshua for the IBF, WBA, and WBO Heavyweight Championship belts. Joshua came out trying to use his length advantage with the jab, though this Ruiz was familiar with this disadvantage as he recently fought a similar size opponent in his last fight. The nonchalant demeanor of Joshua allowed for Andy Ruiz Jr to get into a rhythm early in the fight, as he showed an uncanny ability to slip punches and counter punch his opponents; this ability to counterpunch gave him some immediate confidence in this fight. When Joshua dropped Ruiz Jr., with a left hook early in the 3rd round, he was unphased and back on his feet before 6 count. Less than 30 seconds later, Ruiz Jr., responded with a sharp left hook that sent Joshua to the canvas. Seeing that Joshua was dazed, Ruiz applied more pressure and caught him with a left hook then a right-hand combo that sent Joshua back to the canvas. Both fighters seemed to conserve their energy in the 4th and 5th rounds. Before Andy Ruiz Jr. sensed his opportunity in the 6th round and started to break down Joshua with some fierce body shots. To begin the 7th round, Joshua appeared to have regained his legs and stamina, connected with a big left hook; but once again Ruiz came right back and connected with a strong right hand of his own, followed with a flurry that sent Joshua to the canvas for the third time in the fight. After the second knockdown, in the 7th round, Joshua turned and walked to his corner as if to request some assistance. He and the refs exchanged some words before the refs finally stopped the fight after it appeared Joshua inexplicably didn’t want to continue in the fight! With the TKO is the 7th round, Andy Ruiz Jr., became the first Heavyweight Champion of Mexican descent. His ability to take advantage of his opportunity should be seen as another example to any and everyone that if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready! being ready for their moment!
Andy Ruiz Jr. finishing then Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua in Madison Square Garden this past Saturday. (Getty Images courtesy photo)
Andy Ruiz Jr. pulled out of the most surprising upset since Hasim Rahman upset Lennox Lewis. Andy says about a potential rematch, “we’re actually more motivated
now that we’re the champions now!” “I’m not giving up these belts!” How surprised were you in this outcome, and are you confident Ruiz Jr., can successfully defend his title in a rematch with Anthony Joshua? Please let
me know your thoughts on this Saturday night’s fight by reaching out to us on @whatsgoodinsports on twitter or commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com.
Los Angeles Sparks Welcome the Connecticut Sun By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com The Sparks kicked off their first home game against the Connecticut Sun this past Friday night at Staples Center. Having lost their initial game in Las Vegas 5 days ago, they were eager to get a win in front of their home crowd as well as avenge their 3 consecutive losses to the Sun from last season. Though the Sparks will be without their top player in Candace Parker, they will have Chiney Ogwumike on their side, after an off-season acquisition in the summer. Coming into Staples Center this past Friday night, the Connecticut Sun will be led by the 2018 WNBA Sixth
I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING
Woman of the year Jonquel Jones. Having recorded her 25th career double-double last weekend against Washington. She also narrowly missed another double-double against Indiana earlier in the week and prove she would be a force the Sparks would need to be reckoned with. As the Sparks won the first quarter on the back of Nneka Ogwumike’s 8 points. Chelsea Gray led the team with 2 assists while her teammates tallied 2 more for a total of 4 assists in that first quarter. While Jonquel Jones led the Sun with 7 points of her own. Nneka chipped in an additional 7 points in the 2nd to bring her total to 15 points for the half, to lead all scorers in the first half. While Jones led the Sun with 9 points and 11 rebounds. The Sparks extended their lead to 9 points at the end of the third quarter. Though the Suns mounted a comeback with a great start in the 4th on the strength of Jones’s 18 rebounds through 3 quarters. This spirited game became highly competitive as the 4th quarter came to close. The Oqwumike sisters closed out the Suns with a couple of big plays. With the Sparks holding on to a slim lead late in the game. Chiney leaped high to grab a rebound over 2 Sun players, to get the rebound and 1 and extend the Sparks lead. After the Sun responded with a 3 pointer, Nneka Ogwumike responded with a three-pointer of her to close the game out for the Sparks. Rebounding from their initial loss the Las Vegas, new Head Coach Derek Fisher earned his first win as a Sparks Head Coach in this exciting matchup. He was also congratulated by, likely his most famous teammate, Kobe Bryant. Fisher, also said Kobe was invited to any practice he cared to attend. Let me know your thoughts about the Sparks postseason by sharing your thoughts with us by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or reaching out to us on twitter @whatsgoodinsports. Your feedback is very much welcomed and appreciated!
Ogwumike sisters lead Sparks to their 1st win of the season. (Photo credit ottumwacourier.com)
Los Angeles Chargers Find Inspiration in Ruiz Jr’s Win By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com
Over this past weekend, Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the world with his surprising victory over the then IBF, WBO, and WBA Heavyweight Champion. Ruiz Jr. came into this fight as 12-1 underdog and walked out of the ring as a champion. This is just what I love about sports and competition; that ability for someone to rise above expectations and achieve heights beyond their or anyone else’s belief. Having had the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles Chargers completion of OTA’s this week, I was interested in hearing how the Chargers players saw this fight and if they could find any motivational message from the results. Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn, “No doubt! Just to show on you can be down early and come back to win. It shows resiliency and perseverance. But I’ve used all those examples before.” Never underestimate anybody! I felt like everybody thought Anthony Joshua was going to win but the underdog came out on top. So, I feel like you have to treat everybody New IBF, WBO, and WBA Heavyweight Champion. Ruiz Jr. (courtesy photo)
the same really.” This was the message Kyzir White took away from Ruiz Jr’s upset victory over the weekend. Adrian Phillips, “Never judge a book by its cover. Joshua looked the part; the other guy might not have looked like him. I felt a lot of people thought he (Joshua) was going to walk right over him. He (Ruiz) went out there and proved them wrong. When you get the opportunity, you’re either going to stand or fold and he stood tall!” Each of these interpretations of Andy Ruiz Jr’s victory over the humble Anthony Joshua is invaluable lessons which each of us can learn from. More importantly, these are lessons which the youth of America can utilize to inspire them to do great things. Please share your thoughts with us about these few responses from the Chargers or what Andy Ruiz Jr’s upset win may have Inspired you by reaching out to us on @whatsgoodinsports on twitter, or by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com.
A6
LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Local
Los Angeles County Achieves Historic High Credit Rating Solid Revenue, Economic Strength Cited Los Angeles County achieved its overall highest credit rating in its recorded history after a leading global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, increased the County’s longterm credit rating from AA to AA+. Fitch Ratings joins two other leading national credit ratings firms, Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings Service and Moody’s Investors Service, in determining that L.A. County’s long-term financial outlook is strong and positive. Fitch attributed the credit ratings upgrade to the combined strength of L.A. County’s continued solid revenue streams, strong economic base, moderately low long-term liability burden and the ongoing progress toward addressing unfunded pension liabilities. This is the third time one of the credit rating agencies has increased L.A. County’s ratings under the leadership of the current Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Officer.
The announcement came after the County’s annual meeting with each of the three credit agencies in New York on May 23, 2019. L.A. County was represented by the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Janice Hahn; Chief Executive Officer Sachi A. Hamai; and representatives from the Treasurer and Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller and Department of Health Services. Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s provide independent assessments of the creditworthiness of the County as a borrower, which investors use as a guide to evaluate credit risk. “L.A. County is unlike any other county in size and responsibilities which range from fighting fires, regulating businesses, providing health services and building affordable housing,” said Joseph Kelly, Treasurer and Tax Collector for the County of Los Angeles. “The credit rating upgrade is especially gratifying given the complexity of the County’s
finances and the number of economic variables outside of the control of the County government. So, the credit upgrade is a positive reflection of both our conservative budgetary policies and the strategic social goals of our Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Officer.” Government credit ratings are similar to consumer FICO or credit scores. The County’s status as a low credit risk means the interest rate it pays to borrow money is lower than it would be otherwise, thus providing flexibility and security in funding vital services for the County’s constituents. When the County obtains a low-interest rate loan, all County residents benefit. The Treasurer and Tax Collector estimates that each increase in L.A. County’s long-term credit rating could reduce interest expense by up to $2 million for every $100 million borrowed on a long-term debt issuance. “Our vision of improving life for all County residents
is through our strong financial discipline and the Board’s commitment to responsible governance,” said CEO Hamai. “Our budget continues to strike a balance between programmatic priorities and fiscal responsibility.” Supervisor Hahn added: “L.A. County’s Board of Supervisors is demonstrating that we can provide services that improve lives, and effectively tackle big issues such as cleaner water, justice reform and affordable housing and homelessness, while doing what we must do to ensure our financial future and flexibility,” L.A. County has exhibited strong population growth, declining unemployment, improving wealth levels and a steady growth in consumer spending. In addition, L.A. County has a diversified property tax revenue base and assessed valuation of properties that continues to grow. The net assessed value of properties in the County is $1.6 trillion, which represents a 5.8% increase from Fiscal Year 2018-19.
The Road to The National Championship By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer When you go to a UCLA softball game and watch them during a pre-game you will find one of the loosest bunch of women anywhere in sports. You may see them do a gymnastic skit, where a player is imagining being on the parallel bars. There’s the bowling alley where players are lined up like bowling pins and one of them pretends to bowl a ball and the all go down with the exception of one who is Freshman Megan Faraimo with her hands at her side stand straight up mimicking a pin rocks side to side but does not fall. You can do what works as long as you do like the Bruins, finish a regular season PAC-12 Champions, win your regionals and win the Super Regionals then become “OKC Bound.” When they got to OKC the Bruins got things going by beating Minnesota 7-2. Junior Bubba Nicklels got things going with a first inning homer. That was the second time in the post season Nickels led-off a game with homer. “I just wanted to come out for them the best way I could and have a quality at-bat,” said Nickles. “I wasn’t’ trying to hit a home run but you know it worked out.” Rachel Garcia held the Gophers to just one hit through six innings. Rachel Garcia held the Gophers to just one hit through six innings. In the bottom of the sixth the Bruins had a 3-2 lead after walks to Kinsley Washington and freshman Kelli Godin, Nickels reached on a fielding error by the Gophers Makenna Partain. With two outs “Super Sophomore” Aaliyah Jordan went to “Rip City” launching a ball deep in the right centerfield bleachers. “I just waited for that pitch and I got it’ said Jordan. In game two the Bruins faced Arizona who had defeated Washington in 3-1 eight innings the day before. The Wildcats had taken the final regular season series
between the two schools just a few weeks ago at Easton Stadium. Garcia Got the Bruins on the board first with a sac-fly in the third scoring Bubba Nickels. In the bottom of the frame Alyssa Palomino blasted a shot out of the stadium to tie it up. UCLA had six All-Americans on its roster however with the score tied 1-1 in the sixth an unlikely star emerged. Sophomore pinch hitter Milia Quarles went uptown on a 3-2 count a solo blast over the center field fence that gave the UCLA the lead.It was her 5th home run in 11 hits as a pinch hitter. Rachel Garcia held the Gophers to just one hit through six innings. In the bottom of the sixth the Bruins had a 3-2 lead after walks to Kinsley Washington and freshman Kelli Godin, Nickels reached on a fielding error by the Gophers Makenna Partain. With two outs “Super Sophomore” Aaliyah Jordan went to “Rip City” launching a ball deep in the right centerfield bleachers. “I just waited for that pitch and I got it’ said Jordan. In game three semifinals UCLA face an old foe in the Washington Huskies. The bruins had sweep the series during the regular season in Seattle. Garcia squared off against Gabbie Plain and Toran Alveno together shutout the Bruins until the tenth inning. That’s when Garcia showed why she is National Player of the Year. After Brianna Perez reached on a fielder’s choice, Jordan singled up the middle and up stepped Garcia. After pitching ten innings and striking out 16 Huskies. Garcia blasted a pitch over the left field fence for a walk-off home run to send the Bruins into the Championship series against Oklahoma.
Rachel Garcia (00) threw 603 innings during the WCWS helping earn the Most Outstanding Player Award. (UCLA courtesy photo)
Bruins National Champs Continued from page A1
Romero. “I feel like we came out today, we bounced back, we gave it our all. I think that’s all you could ever ask for. Washington, Jordan Nickels and Garcia were named to the All-Tournament team. Garcia who pitched all but
two innings threw 603 total pitches in the WCWS and went 9-0 in the tournament was named Most Outstanding Player. Garcia was playing with emotion as she recently lost her grandfather. After the game she stated, “I knew he was right there with me.”
WIRELESS CONNECTION
T
Mobile
3420 W. SLAUSON AVE. SUITE G LOS ANGELES, CA 90043
323.903.6241
Now Streaming On All Platforms.