Los Angeles News Observer 11.4.21

Jay-Z, Foo Fighters Welcomed into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

91 % of Californians Voted by Mail in Gov. Recall Election

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Los Angeles

Volume 36 Number 51

Serving Los Angeles County for Over 36 Years

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U.N. Climate Summit

Black Caucus Member Isaac Bryan Is Representing California in Scotland Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) is the only Black member of the California Legislature attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland this week.

Gov. Newsom is not present at the summit as he abruptly opted out last week, citing personal reasons.

“Due to family obligations, Governor Newsom will no longer be traveling to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and will instead be participating virtually, focusing on California’s landmark climate change policies,” Newsom’s spokesperson Erin Mellon said Oct. 29.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is attending the conference in Newsom’s place.

The conference began Sunday, Oct. 31 and will last through Friday, Nov. 12. It is co-hosted by the United Kingdom and Italy.

Bryan, who represents California’s 54th district and serves as the Assembly’s Assistant Majority Whip, joins 22 government officials attending the conference. He is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

Bryan, who was elected to his Assembly seat in May is mainly known for his work on social justice issues.

But, he has received praised for the multifocal

approach he takes to standing up for environmental justice.

During his campaign for the Assembly, Bryan received an endorsement from California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters). The Sierra Club California also gave Bryan a score of 100 % on its 2021 Legislative Report Card.

“Isaac Bryan is a bold, visionary leader whose intersectional approach to policy is much needed in the California legislature,” said EnviroVoters CEO Mary Creasman.

“We do not have time to waste when it comes to climate justice, and California needs leaders who are willing to stand up to big oil and polluters. Isaac has proven that he will lead the charge and do what is right at this critical point. Assembly District 54 needs an Assemblymember who will take bold action on the community values of racial, criminal, economic, and environmental justice, and Isaac Bryan is clearly that candidate. EnviroVoters is excited to endorse Isaac Bryan for Assembly District 54,” Creasman continued.

Bryan responded to this endorsement and another one from Equality California (EQCA) in a statement.

“This is our moment. The support of these two frontrunners for progress is an important call to protect our vulnerable communities, prioritizing the needs of our LGBTQ+ and BIPOC neighbors; ensure clean air and water for all; and lift people out of poverty by preparing for jobs in emerging technologies,” Bryan stated.

BLACK AND MISSING HBO Documentary Series Spotlighting the Black and Missing Foundation’s Commitment to Locating Missing Persons of Color

NNPA Newswire The four-part documentary series BLACK AND MISSING, by multiple Emmy winner Geeta Gandbhir and award-winning documentarian, journalist, author, and activist Soledad O’Brien, follows sisters-in-law and Black and Missing Foundation founders Derrica and Natalie Wilson as they fight an uphill battle to bring awareness to the Black missing persons cases that are marginalized by law enforcement and national media. The series, which was three years in the making, takes on new urgency given the renewed national conversation on “missing white woman syndrome.” BLACK AND MISSING debuts back-toback episodes TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), with the final two episodes airing back-toback on Wednesday, November 24 at the same time. All four episodes of the series will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Haunted by these stories of vanished loved ones and driven by the need for attention and assistance for these forgotten women, former law enforcement officer Derrica and public relations expert Natalie operate a grassroots organization that raises awareness in communities, alerts media outlets to the plight of thousands of women and children and urges police departments to allocate more resources to this scourge. Cases of missing Black people Continued on page A2

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Tuskegee Band Members Threaten Strike, Demand More Support

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) – Members of the Tuskegee University marching band are threatening to quit performing at school events to protest what they say is a lack of resources and support.

Concerned members of the Marching Crimson Pipers released a statement Saturday through the Tuskegee Student Government Association complaining about conditions within the program, WSFA-TV reported. It cited a lack of funding that makes traveling performing difficult, a lack of qualified staff and insufficient communication about what’s on with band practices and performances.

“We will no longer allow the inefficient operation of a program that we pour countless hours of energy into. We will no longer allow ourselves to be exploited simply on the basis that we `signed up for it.’ And we will no longer allow for the apathetic nature that has been granted to us, as we strive to not only hold our leadership accountable but our fellow band members both current and future,”’ said the statement.

Band representatives met with officials from the historically Black college on Monday, but no resolution was announced.

A statement from Tuskegee President Charlotte Morris called the band an important part of the university family and said the administration looks forward to working with members to respond to their concerns.

Veteran Posthumously Awarded Congress Medal

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – The family of a World War II veteran from Mississippi who was among the first Black men to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps received the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his service.

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Republican who represents a northeastern Mississippi-based district, presented the medal to relatives of Embra Jackson Sr. during a Saturday ceremony at a Tupelo church. The medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards.

“Mr. Jackson was a true hero,” Kelly said in a statement. “He had a love for America that compelled him to leave the only life he had ever known without any assurances that he would return. Mr. Jackson’s great patriotism will always be remembered, as will the service of his fellow Montford Point Marines.”

Jackson enlisted in 1943 and was among more than 20,000 Black men who joined the Marines from 1942 to 1949, according to Kelly’s office. They served in segregated military units during WWII. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported Jackson was honorably discharged in 1946, became a teacher and died in 1983 at the age of 58 after he had retired.

Seattle Mayoral Candidate Stops Racist TV Ad HBO Documentary Films’ presents a SO’B Production BLACK AND MISSING, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Nadia Hallgren, Samantha Knowles and Yoruba Richen; supervising producer, Julie Anderson; executive producers, Soledad O’Brien, Geeta Gandbhir, Jo Honig and Patrick Conway. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Sara Rodriguez.

As Winter Approaches, Gov. Newsom Focuses on

Covid-19 Waning Immunity On Oct. 27, Gov. Gavin Newsom held a press conference after receiving a Moderna booster shot to augment the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine he took in April.

The governor said he deliberately opted for a different vaccine as a booster to emphasize the Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that it is safe for people to mix and match vaccines.

The governor encouraged eligible Californians to get their booster shots as well, warning that initial COVID-19 shots required to be designated “fully vaccinated” might not be enough to inoculate individuals who are at a higher risk of getting the disease.

“Any state vision has to be realized at the local level. Localism is determinative,” Gov. Newsom said, thanking Alameda County public health officials and workers, Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) for their leadership in spearheading the vaccination of 84 % of all people in their county. Newsom was speaking at Asian Health Services, a community clinic in Oakland.

The governor also thanked Bonta for working to make sure the state is “supporting these efforts not only advance the cause of getting more of the unvaccinated vaccinated, but now the cause that unites us here today, and that is encouraging more boosters so that we can address the legitimate concerns of waning immunity,” Newsom said.

The governor pointed out that he is not just promoting boosters. He is also pushing a message of “caution” because of what he anticipates might happen this winter based on a spike in COVID cases around this same time last year.

“On the 24th of October, we had about six thousand cases. One month later, we had 18,000 cases. A month Continued on page A2

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SEATTLE (AP) – A candidate for Seattle mayor is pulling a television ad attacking her opponent following criticism that the spot highlighting sexual assault issues was racist.

The ad from Lorena Gonzalez tried to remind voters of Bruce Harrell’s statements during a sexual abuse scandal involving former Mayor Ed Murray in 2017. At the time Harrell expressed doubts about the allegations and did not join Gonzalez in calling for Murray to consider resigning.

Murray ultimately left office that year after several men accused him of sexually abusing them decades earlier. He denied the allegations.

But The Seattle Times reports the ad’s use of a white rape survivor _ not a Murray accuser _ who said she could not trust Harrell triggered blowback from Harrell supporters and Black political and civic leaders who said it was racist. Harrell is Black and Asian American.

In a video statement Monday, Gonzalez, the City Council president, said she believes Harrell, a former council president, has a “troubling’’ record of responding to sexual abuse and harassment allegations, including during the Murray scandal.

But she acknowledged her campaign ad’s use of a white rape survivor was problematic when juxtaposed with Harrell.

“I am sorry we did not work harder to center the voice of a sexual assault survivor from our community of color who was also willing to tell their story,’’ Gonzalez said.

Harrell, in a statement, thanked those who had spoken out against the ad.

“The intense community outpouring this false and racist commercial sparked speaks to the pain it brought not just to the Black community, but to our entire city,’’ he said.

The Gonzalez campaign had initially defended the ad following outcry from Harrell and Black community leaders.

Harrell and Gonzalez are competing to succeed Mayor Jenny Durkan in the Nov. 2 election. Durkan is not running for a second term.

Gonzalez has won the endorsements of many of the region’s labor unions. Her parents were migrant farmworkers in central Washington.

As council president, she has helped pass a payroll tax on big corporations, such as Amazon, to pay for city services, as well as worker protections such as a securescheduling law.

Harrell has called for hiring more police officers to stem a rise in shootings and for reforming the state’s regressive tax code. He grew up in Seattle’s Central Area, a redlined neighborhood, and has the support of most of the city’s business community.

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Los Angeles News Observer

World & Nation

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Judge in Kenosha Shooting Case Says Lawyers Can Only Refer to Dead as

‘Rioters,’ ‘Looters,’ or ‘Arsonists’

Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisc. in 2020, and his shooting touched off a firestorm of unrest and controversy. (Courtesy Photo)

(Courtesy Photo)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent In the Wisconsin trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the judge on Tuesday, October 26, ruled that lawyers cannot call the two people he killed “victims.” The 18-year-old killed two people and wounded one other with an AR-15 style weapon during the 2020 unrest in Kenosha that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. Judge

Bruce Schroeder said the word “victim is too loaded.” He said he would allow lawyers to refer to those shot by Rittenhouse as “rioters, looters,” or arsonists.” Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger objected. He told the judge that his concern is that Rittenhouse’s attorneys will make the case about police, claiming that they encouraged their client to carry an assault-style weapon which provided him a reasonable explanation for shooting the three

individuals. “It’s not a trial about police tactics,” Binger protested. “It’s a trial about what the defendant did that night.” Viral video of the shooting and aftermath shows police officers telling Rittenhouse and other armed militia they appreciated them. In one scene, an officer tossed Rittenhouse a bottle of water. Rittenhouse’s attorney Corey Chirafisi insisted that the video demonstrated that police officers believed Rittenhouse wasn’t acting recklessly.

Prosecutors said the shootings occurred after Rittenhouse interacted with the police. “If the jury is being told if the defendant is walking down the sidewalk and doing what he claims he was hired to do, and police say [it’s a] good thing you’re here, is that something influencing the defendant and emboldening him in his behavior? That would be an argument for relevance,” the judge declared. Jury selection begins on Monday, November 1.

By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) – Are Arab Americans people of color?

The question has been bubbling beneath the surface of Boston’s historic mayor’s race, where one of the two candidates, Annissa Essaibi George, has found herself challenged on the campaign trail about her decision to identify as one.

On Tuesday, Essaibi George faces off against fellow Boston City Councilor and Democrat Michelle Wu, a daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. Whoever wins will be the first woman and first person of color elected to the city’s top political office.

Essaibi George, who describes herself as Polish-Arab American, acknowledges she hasn’t always identified as a person of color _ in part because Arab Americans don’t fit neatly into the boxes Americans are typically asked to

check off on official forms, including on the U.S. Census.

“We have found ourselves in this weird position where there isn’t a place for us to identify as Arab,” Essaibi George said in a recent interview on GBH News. “It’s unfortunate that Arabs don’t have that proverbial box to check and it is important for the Arab community to be counted, to be seen, to be heard and to be recognized.”

She has identified as a person of color during her years in elected office, Essaibi George said.

Essaibi George has frequently talked about the obstacles faced by her father, a Muslim immigrant from Tunisia, and the challenges he believed she would also face as his daughter. Her mother, a Catholic, immigrated from Poland.

In a city like Boston with its long history of electing white men, particularly of Irish and Italian descent, a girl with an Arab name could never be successful in politics, her father warned, with no chance of becoming mayor.

But the 47-year-old Essaibi George, a lifelong Boston resident and former public school teacher, went on to win an at-large seat on the Boston City Council in 2015 and came in second in a September preliminary election, setting up the head-to-head match with Wu, who won the preliminary.

Although she identifies as a person of color, Essaibi George acknowledges her physical presence – including a heavy Boston accent – allows her a certain amount of privilege as “a woman who can maneuver in different rooms in different spaces.”

She has also said that while her father’s family came from North Africa, she doesn’t consider herself African American, a term meant to refer to Black people.

The question of whether Arab Americans should identify as people of color extends to the Arab American community itself.

Nuha E. Muntasser, who describes herself as an Muslim Arab American or Muslim Libyan American, said

she cringes whenever she has to check the box for “white” instead of being given the option of identifying as North African or Middle Eastern.

“I do not identify as white and it’s frustrating when I have to identify as that,” she said.

The choice is all the more discouraging because many Arab Americans don’t share the same experience as white Americans, she said. That sense of otherness can be even more pronounced among Arab or Muslim American women who wear the hijab, she said.

“People like me, we have to prove our Americanness,” said the 26-year-old, who lives in Sudbury, 45 miles west of Boston, and serves on the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Muntasser also hesitates to call herself a person of color. “Because I understand the difference of what Black women experience in this country, I am not comfortable with saying I am a person of color,” she said.

The lack of a box to check for Arab Americans can also limit economic opportunities, said former Cambridge City Councilor Nadeem Mazen, an Arab American and an American Muslim.

That’s particularly relevant when dealing with possible business contracts, especially with the federal government.

“When you’re a minority- or veteran- or womenowned business, that’s important,” Mazen said. “People make a lot of assumptions about which boxes you can check.”

Mazen, who lives in Cambridge, said he doesn’t look like a Black person but also isn’t seen as white, occupying what he described as a kind of moving window.

“I don’t go around saying I’m a person of color or not a person of color, but I know someone like me faces a lot more discrimination than your average upper class white Cambridge resident,” Mazen said.

A pivotal moment in the trajectory of the lives of many Arab Americans came with the Sept. 11 attacks, with many

still feeling singled out and under suspicion 20 years later.

A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted ahead of this year’s 9/11 anniversary found that 53% of Americans have unfavorable views toward Islam, compared with 42% who have favorable ones.

Mohammed Missouri, 38, executive director of Massachusetts-based Jetpac, a nonprofit seeking to build political power among American Muslims, said earlier generations of Arab Americans tended to focus on assimilation rather than leaning into their identity.

“With younger people in the Arab American community, you’re seeing people whose goal is to build actual power and not just power for themselves but for the community at large,” said Missouri, an Arab American.

“Younger Arab Americans are very proud of their heritage and see that as integral to their identity as Americans.”

Missouri also said that while he’s forced to check “white” on Census forms _ defined as “all individuals who identify with one or more nationalities or ethnic groups originating in Europe, the Middle East or North Africa” _ he doesn’t consider himself white.

Whether Arab Americans fall into the broader category as persons of color is still a matter of debate within the community he said, adding that some “white-passing Arab Americans” prefer to identify as white.

“It’s going to be a fluid conversation we’re going to keep having,” he said.

The city’s previous elected mayor – Democrat Marty Walsh – stepped down to become U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Joe Biden.

Walsh was replaced on an acting basis by Kim Janey, sworn in March 24 as Boston’s first female and first Black mayor.

people, providing volunteers for work on the ground, and serving as an important advocacy platform to help bring these stories to light. By keeping these stories and the missing in the news media, Derrica and Natalie put increased pressure on police departments to keep cases open and active. BLACK AND MISSING includes wrenching testimony from the families and loved ones of missing women, from activists and volunteers with their own stories of loss to law officers and historians with firsthand experience in this field. Participants include John Walsh, Founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Vince Warren, Executive Director of

the Center for Constitutional Rights; Dr. Renee Murrell, FBI victim specialist; Glenn Kirschner, former Assistant D.A.; Debra Sines, former Assistant U.S. Attorney; Thomas Stack, Baltimore Head of Trafficking; T.J. Smith, Baltimore Chief of Police. HBO Documentary Films’ presents a SO’B Production BLACK AND MISSING, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Nadia Hallgren, Samantha Knowles and Yoruba Richen; supervising producer, Julie Anderson; executive producers, Soledad O’Brien, Geeta Gandbhir, Jo Honig and Patrick Conway. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Sara Rodriguez.

Are Arab Americans People of Color?

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BLACK AND MISSING Continued from page A1

remain unresolved four times longer than those of white people. BLACK AND MISSING pulls back the curtain to explore how systemic behaviors and attitudes stem from centuries of deeply rooted racism. The series also exposes the stark disparity in the media coverage of white and black missing persons. This intimate look at Derrica and Natalie’s personal crusade to locate missing Black people also highlights stories of hope and closure as the Black and Missing Foundation contributes to the resolution of several high-profile missing persons cases. The Black and Missing Foundation works in several ways to change the narrative surrounding missing Black

As Winter Approaches, Gov. Newsom Focuses on

Covid-19 Waning Immunity Continued from page A1

after that, we had 54,000 cases – basically a tripling of cases every month. That was last year,” he said. “And we all remember what occurred last winter in December and January.”

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, immunity against COVID-19 drops to as low as 20% four months after the second vaccine dose.

On Oct. 21, the CDC expanded eligibility for the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots for those 65 years and older, 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings, 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions, and 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings.

The California Health and Human Services Agency echoed the governor’s push for booster shots on Twitter.

“Get boosted, CA! #COVID19 vaccine boosters will

help keep our immunities strong and our families safer.

Find out if you’re eligible & get yours today,” the tweet read.

Newsom offered words of encouragement to Californians who he says might be weary of living with COVID restrictions.

“We’ll get through this. We’re making progress. We’re turning the corner but let’s get these boosters, let’s continue to be vigilant, let’s continue to reach out to those maybe on the fence, maybe hesitant about getting a vaccine, and encourage them to get a vaccine,” Newsom said.

More than 80 % of Californians who are eligible to take the COVID vaccine have received at least one shot, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Bonta, who replaced her husband Attorney General

Rob Bonta in the California Legislature, is a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She took a booster shot with the governor.

“When we talk about being a resilient community, it requires resilient action,” said Bonta. “The simplest thing we can do right now is to go to our trusted providers to ensure we are getting our boosters. As we consider taking care of our communities, it requires every individual to act with resilience.”

To check eligibility or make an appointment for a COVID shot, visit MyTurn.CA.gov California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Entertainment

Los Angeles News Observer A3

Jay-Z, Foo Fighters Welcomed into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

By TOM WITHERS Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) – Jay-Z’s added another title to a resume that includes rapper, songwriter, Grammy winner, billionaire business mogul, and global icon – Hall of Famer.

The self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” was inducted Saturday night as part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters, Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren.

Once a drug dealer on the tough streets of Brooklyn, New York, Jay-Z rose through the rap world with hard, straight-forward songs that often portrayed the struggles of Black people in America.

His catalogue includes songs like “Hard Knock Life,” “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind” as well as 14 No. 1 albums.

Following a video introduction that included President Barack Obama, LeBron James and David Letterman, Jay-Z was inducted by comedian Dave Chappelle, who praised him for being an inspiration.

“He rhymed a recipe for survival,” Chappelle said. “He embodies what the potential of our lives can be and what success can be.”

Paul McCartney welcomed Foo Fighters, who have carried the mantle as one of rock’s top arena acts. Initially, the band was little more than a side project for front man Dave Grohl, who was previously inducted as Nirvana’s drummer.

McCartney described the parallels between he and Grohl as both were part of massively popular bands who broke up.

“Do you think this guy is stalking me?” McCartney joked.

Foo Fighters and McCartney closed the show with the Beatles’ “Get Back.”

Rapper LL Cool J was enshrined for musical excellence along with keyboardist Billy Preston and guitarist Randy Rhoads.

Electronic pioneers Kraftwerk, singer-poet Gil Scott-Heron and Delta blues legend Charley Patton were inducted as early influencers and Sussex Records founder Clarence Avant received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Cool J recruited some of his heavyweight musical friends to usher him into rock immortality. One of rap’s hip-hops first superstars was joined on stage by Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a powerful career-spanning performance.

With New York street style and swagger, Cool J remains a relevant artist more than 40 years after he first spit lyrics.

“What does LL really stand for?” asked rapper/ producer Dr. Dre in his induction speech. “Ladies love?

Living large? Licking lips? I’m here because I think it stands for living legend.”

Cool J then did a medley of his hits, including “Rock The Bells” accompanied by a bearded Eminem before he was joined by J-Lo for “All I Have.” Cool J wrapped up his blistering set with with one of his biggest hits, “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Superstar Taylor Swift opened the show with one of King’s best-known songs, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which appeared on “Tapestry” her seminal 1971 album _ a soundtrack for a generation.

Swift gave a moving, heartfelt induction speech for one of her musical idols.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Carole King’s music,” Swift said, saying her parents taught her several important lessons as a child with one of the most important being “that Carole King is the greatest songwriter of all time.”

King thanked Swift “for carrying the torch forward.”

She noted other female singers and songwriters have said they stand on her shoulders.

“Let it not be forgotten,” King said. “They also stand on the shoulders of the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. May she rest in power, Miss Aretha Franklin.”

King then introduced Jennifer Hudson, who performed a stunning, rafter-shaking performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” before King sang

who represents the state, in a statement.

Prince, whose hits include “Little Red Corvette,” ?Let’s Go Crazy” and “When Doves Cry,” died April 21, 2016, of an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57 at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

The resolution for Prince is led by Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who represents Minneapolis in the House. The full Minnesota delegation serves as original cosponsors, including Sen. Tina Smith and Reps. Jim Hagedorn, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber and Omar.

“Prince is a Minnesota icon,” said Omar in a statement. “He showed that it was OK to be a short, Black kid from Minneapolis and still change the world. He not only changed the arc of music history; he put Minneapolis on the map.”

The legislation notes that Prince is “widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation,” with seven Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, an Oscar for the score to “Purple Rain” and a Golden Globe.

It adds that he is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, sold more than 150 million records worldwide and that “Purple Rain” was added by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. The bill also puts into the Congressional record the glyph he used instead of his name for a time that Prince called “The Love Symbol.”

Under the rules, Congressional Gold Medals require the support of at least two-thirds of the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives before they can be signed into law by the president. The Prince legislation will be introduced in the House and Senate.

“You Got A Friend.”

The 81-year-old Turner, who found her greatest success when she left abusive husband Ike Turner, lives in Switzerland and did not attend the ceremony.

“If they’re still giving me awards at 81,” Turner said in a video message. “I must have done something right.”

Keith Urban and H.E.R. performed “It’s Only Love” a duet Turner did with Bryan Adams before Mickey Guyton took on her most iconic song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Then Christina Aguilera belted out “River Deep, Mountain High.”

Considered the greatest female group in rock history, The Go-Go’s emerged from Los Angeles’ punk scene in the 1980s. The quintet broke rules and smashed gender ceilings in a male-dominated industry with hits like “We Got The Beat,” “My Lips Are Sealed” and “Head Over Heels.”

“They’ve been in my personal Hall of Fame since I was 6 years old,” said actress Drew Barrymore, who mimicked the cover of the band’s debut album, “Beauty and the Beat,” during her induction speech by wrapping her body and hair in bath towels and applying face cream.

“Now,” she said. “My childhood fantasy is fulfilled.”

Best known for soft ballads like “Hello It’s Me” and “Love Is The Answer,” Rundgren also had a long path to induction. He’s been outspoken about the hall’s selection process and skipped the ceremony in protest.

“Ever defiant,” Patti Smith said in a video presenting Rundgren.

This year’s ceremony was held for the first time at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the 20,000-seat home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and a venue familiar to Jay-Z and Foo Fighters, who have played shows in the arena before.

It was a return to normalcy for the event, which was forced to go virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artists are not eligible for induction until 25 years after release of their first recording. There are lively debates every year over omissions, and as Public Enemy’s Chuck D noted during a plaque induction ceremony on Friday at the hall, patience is sometimes another requirement for entrance.

“It ain’t no overnight thing,” he said. “You can’t stumble into this place.”

That was certainly the case for King, who had been eligible for enshrinement as a solo artist since 1986. She went in previously as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin, her late husband, in 1990.

The ceremony will be shown on HBO on Nov. 20.

First Steps Made in Congress to Honor Pop Superstar Prince

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Minnesota’s Congressional delegation on Monday is introducing a resolution to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to pop superstar Prince, citing his “indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture,” The Associated Press has learned.

The medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian honors and past recipients include George Washington, the Wright Brothers, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Dalai Lama.

“The world is a whole lot cooler because Prince was in it – he touched our hearts, opened our minds, and made us want to dance. With this legislation, we honor his memory and contributions as a composer, performer, and music innovator. Purple reigns in Minnesota today and every day because of him,” said Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar,

Born Prince Rogers Nelson, the singer, songwriter, arranger and instrumentalist broke through in the late 1970s with the hits “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” and “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” and soared over the following decade with such albums as “1999” and “Purple Rain.”

Among his other notable releases: “Sign O’ the Times,” “Graffiti Bridge” and “The Black Album.”

If the gold medal is approved and made, the bill asks that it be given to the Smithsonian Institution, which should make it available for display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture or on loan.

Review: Black, White and Shades of Gray in Superb ‘Passing’

By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer Rarely have the hues of black and white, cinematographically speaking, looked so beautifully lush as in “Passing,” the hugely impressive directorial debut of actor Rebecca Hall.

But at its core, this film is about shades of gray.

Which is to say, motivations, desires and ambitions are even more layered and textured than the visuals in this quietly compelling film, which takes place in Prohibitionera New York and explores ideas of race, identity and the toxic ripples of a painful lie.

Adapted by Hall from the 1929 Nella Larsen novel of the same name, “Passing” looks at two sides of the racial divide through a pair of women, childhood friends who have a chance meeting years later. The women, played by the extraordinary duo of Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson, are Black, but they have made drastically different choices: One lives as Black, the other is “passing” as white.

The tale is of deep significance to director Hall: her own American grandfather was Black but passed for many years as white, she says. She grew up in Britain and never knew him personally - he died when her mother was a teenager - but his story has nonetheless clearly had an impact.

We first meet Irene (Thompson), a doctor's wife and mother of two living a comfortable upper-middle class existence in Harlem, shopping on a sweltering summer day in midtown. Clad in a filmy summer dress and gauzy hat (the costumes by Marci Rodgers are wonderful, especially those '20s hats), she appears to use the hat's brim as a shield, eyes downcast so other patrons _ all white _ won't look too closely.

Escaping the brutal heat in a hotel tea room, she sees a prosperous white couple enter, visiting from Chicago.

After the husband leaves, his wife, sporting a chic blonde bob, trains her eyes on Irene. She says she knows her. Irene says she must be mistaken, but the woman's familiar laugh reminds her: This is Clare, a childhood friend from Harlem.

The two get to talking, and Irene boldly asks whether Clare's husband knows she is Black. He does not. Up in Clare's suite, she explains how she made her choice: It's wonderful to have money. In fact, she says, “it's entirely worth the price.” That “price” includes having prayed for

nine months of pregnancy that her daughter would turn out light-skinned (she did), so she could keep her ruse going. Still, “I have everything I ever wanted,” Clare says.

Then husband John (Alexander Skarsgard, in another villain role) arrives back in the room. Turns out, he's an odious racist. He calls Clare a shocking nickname – a private joke – and denigrates all Black people. As Irene makes a hasty exit, Clare looks out the door with longing, as if to say “Please take me with you.”

Summer turns to autumn (Hall and cinematographer Eduard Grau do a stunning job of evoking changing seasons without the use of color), and Irene has been ignoring letters from Clare, who one day simply turns up on the doorstep, so eager is she to be part of Irene's life.

At first standoffish, Irene relents _ she has feelings for Clare that she herself doesn't fully understand _ and soon, Clare is accompanying Irene and her doctor husband Brian (Andre Holland, also excellent) to Irene's splashy charity ball, reveling in the opportunity to dance and laugh with Black people. She's desperate for this connection; the fear that her husband might find out seems more present to Irene than to Clare.

That ball scene is terrific, with its joyous dancing and sparkly frocks. Here and elsewhere, jazz music by Devonte Hynes provides a wonderfully evocative soundtrack to what is, for Clare, a headlong descent into danger, ending with one of the more disturbing (and yet starkly beautiful) endings you'll see this year.

Negga is heartbreaking as a woman who seems to recognize, despite fun-loving appearances, that time is running out on her ruse. And Thompson is riveting as a woman whose own life, while truer and happier than Clare's, is not without struggles, longings and contradictions.

For example: Irene refuses to let Brian teach their boys about the perils of being Black in America _ there's been a lynching in Arkansas, and he feels the boys should know.

For her, silence is the less painful option.

Irene also has feelings for Clare that seem to run deeper than friendship. And her own complicated sentiments about race and class identity play out in a relationship with the household maid.

Some of these complexities, Irene is aware of. Others seem beneath the surface. But when she gazes at a packed dance floor and comments to a friend that “we're all of us

passing for something or other, aren't we,” one gets the feeling she may as well be looking in a mirror.

“Passing,” a Netflix release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for thematic material, some racial slurs and smoking.” Running time:

98 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

MPAA definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Los Angeles News Observer

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Brazilians Observe Mês da Consciência Negra – Brazil’s Black History Month

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Brazilian state of Bahia kicked off Black Consciousness Month with a promise of educating the community about the trials, tribulations, and accomplishments of Black people throughout South and Latin America.

During November, many in the northeastern state have vowed to recognize Black history and cultural awareness ahead of the nationwide observance of Black Consciousness Day on November 20.

“Mês da Consciência Negra [Brazil’s Black History Month] is related to the commemoration of the death of Zumbi of Palmares on November 20, 1695, a holiday in many Brazilian cities,” tweeted historian and Howard University Professor Dr. Ana Lucia Araujo.

Born free in 1655, Zumbi dos Palmares counted among the last military leaders of the Quilombo – or warrior village.

According to historians, the Quilombo dos Palmares was a free society, an old South American republic, which included the present-day Brazilian coastal state of Alagoas, Brazil.

“Today, Zumbi is known as one of the great historical leaders of Brazil,” the historians wrote.

The historians continued: “At approximately six years old, the Portuguese captured Zumbi from the Palmares region and given as a slave to a Portuguese priest, António Melo.

Baptized Francisco, Zumbi was taught Latin, the Portuguese religion and language, and served the Catholic mass.

In 1670, at 15 years old, Zumbi escaped and returned to his birthplace. He soon became known as a Capoërae/ Capoiera master in the roda (wheel or circle) of Palmares’ practitioners of this African martial art.

By his early twenties, he became a respected military strategist.”

Zumbi eluded the Portuguese and continued the Quilombo resistance.

It’s believed that someone betrayed Zumbi, which led to the Portuguese destroying the Palmares compound.

Zumbi was captured and killed on November 20, 1695.

“Today, the entire month is a celebration of Black Brazilian history,” Dr. Araujo wrote.

Brazil’s Black community’s progress includes a nearly two-decade-old law that requires the teaching of AfroBrazilian history and culture in schools.

The text of the law states that every school in the nation should teach “the History of Africa and Africans, the struggle of black people in Brazil, Afro-Brazilian culture, and the contributions of black people in forming national society, including social, economic, and political areas relevant to the History of Brazil.”

According to the Middlebury Institute Network, with Brazil’s academic reputation and its growing racial divide,

many policymakers believe that the law, known as “The Status Quota Law,” is the only way out.

Gisele Alves, a Brazilian native with African ancestry who lives in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Rio de Janerio, told the Middlebury Institute Network that she probably would not have gone to college without help

from the state.

“I thought I was going to finish school, find work in a little shop, get married and pregnant, and that would be it,” she stated.

Because of the law, Gisele received acceptance to the State University of Rio de Janeiro. “Many students

like Gisele will also get accepted thanks to this new law,” officials wrote.

“Even though [the law] will be discontinued in 10 years, this law is the next step for Brazil in guaranteeing equal access to education and a better future for all Brazilians.”

Brazil’s Black community’s progress includes a nearly two-decade-old law that requires the teaching of Afro-Brazilian history and culture in schools. (Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil via wikimedia commons)

91 % of Californians Voted by Mail in Gov. Recall Election

(Shutterstock Photo)

Edward Henderson California Black Media California Secretary of state Shirley N. Weber has certified the votes from the Sept. 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election. The election marked the second time since 1913 that a recall petition made it to the polls in California.

The results for the question on the ballot asking whether Gov. Gavin Newsom should be recalled were: 4,894,473 yes votes and 7,944,092 nos.

California election law requires results for each replacement candidate to be tabulated and recorded.

The leading replacement candidate was Larry Elder who garnered 3,563,867 votes. His tally counted for 48.4% of all votes for replacement candidates. Almost 5.5 million voters left their response blank for who they believed the replacement candidate should be.

“Despite the ongoing uncertainties of the pandemic, I am encouraged that millions of Californians were still committed to participating in the California Gubernatorial Recall Election – nearly 3.5 million more than participated in the 2003 recall election,” Secretary Weber said after announcing the certification of the vote. “As I’ve said before, democracy matters to Californians and giving them the option to participate early by mail, at secure drop-off locations or safely in person has clearly reinforced their commitment to making their voices heard.”

In total, there were 22,057,154 registered voters (as of August 30, 2021), a state record for California. A total of 12,892,578 votes were cast -- 3,479,084 more votes than were cast in the last statewide gubernatorial recall election in 2003.

The California Secretary of State’s office made a substantial effort to conduct the election as smoothly and effectively as possible considering the unprecedented challenges pandemic safety restrictions presented. An online system for tracking mail-in ballots in real time was just one of a number of innovations implemented to give voters confidence that their voices would be heard.

91 % of all votes cast in the recall election were

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submitted via the mail-in option. Voting by mail in the United States started in the late 1800s. But in a firstin-the-nation execution, California mailed ballots to every registered voter in the state, a move voting rights advocates praised for setting new standards for expanding enfranchisement.

“I also want to commend the state’s elections officials and poll workers for stepping up to ensure the recall ran so smoothly,” Webber said. “The short timeline and the logistics of providing voter information, ensuring access to the election, securing the ballots and protecting the health and safety of voters were a challenging endeavor. Their effectiveness at delivering an accessible, fair and secure election under these conditions deserves our respect. I am proud to serve with them in the administration of our democracy.”

The only successful California gubernatorial recall election was held in 2003 when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Gov. Gray Davis after winning 48.6 %of the vote.

Every California governor since 1960 has faced some form of a recall attempt. Newsom’s detractors cited his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as the basis for this most recent attempt.

Since surviving the recall, Newsom has signed 92 % of the bills that have come to his desk into law. Among notable measures are sentencing reform for convicts and increasing commercial real estate taxes to fund affordable housing initiatives and fight homelessness.

“Traditionally, we have governors who have been more centrist than Newsom,” said Bill Whalen, a policy fellow at the Hoover Institution, in an interview with Newsweek.

The Hoover Institution is a conservative think tank at Stanford University in Palo Alto. “With the recall now gone, this is a governor who is really not threatened in any way.”

Legal Notices PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 229852 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LIMITLESS SKILLS TRAINING at 5552 S Corning Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. 90056 Mailing Same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): YESENIA ALICIA KNIGHT, 5552 S Corning Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. 90056 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: YESENIA ALICIA KNIGHT The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/2021 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Oct 21, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: NICOLE THOMAS, 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 Oct 21, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 2021

Thursday, November 4, 2021

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Fighting the Cycle of Violence with Stipends and Mentorships

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent More than 117,000 people are shot in America annually, and gun homicides disproportionately are concentrated in urban areas, particularly in impoverished and underserved communities of color.

According to officials at Advance Peace, a program that provides mentoring, job training, and a $1,000 per month stipend to participants, such neighborhoods often are plagued by homicide rates on par with warzones.

“Frequently, both public and community-based systems of care fall short in their efforts to provide responsive opportunities and resources to those most involved with and affected by urban gun violence,” officials at the program wrote.

“Because those who are suspected of gun crimes in urban communities have often already been failed by the available systems of care, those who need the services most are least likely to trust the systems that provide them.”

A recent example of how the program works centered on 17-year-old Devrick Hill, arrested for allegedly firing multiple weapons out of a car in a fight with gang members.

Advance Peace change agents recruited Hill for the program to help to turn his life around.

The program seeks to steer vulnerable individuals like Hill away from violence.

It provides participants as much as $1,000 each month to meet anti-violence goals like completing classes or acquiring a job.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Advance Peace’s fellowship program is now running or set to launch soon in nine cities, including Rochester, N.Y.; Fort Worth, Texas; and Fresno and Sacramento, Calif. Another 18 cities are using elements of the program, according to Advance Peace and law-enforcement officials.

“I know a lot of people who got allowances growing

(Courtesy Photo)

up. I know a lot of people who got a little extra dough when they did well in school,” DeVone Boggan, chief executive of Advance Peace, told the newspaper.

“These guys haven’t had a childhood.”

The publication reported that Boggan founded the program more than a decade ago in the Bay Area city of Richmond, Calif., to address a growing murder rate.

“He hired former gang members and ex-cons to identify and mentor young men who had spent time behind bars for shootings, had been shot themselves, or suspected in recent shootings,” the report’s author wrote.

In the first five years of the program, 94 percent of the 68 fellows were alive, 79 percent hadn’t been arrested or on gun-related charges, and 60 percent had received monetary incentives, according to an evaluation by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, a nonprofit research group.

Jason Corburn, a University of California, Berkeley professor who has evaluated the group’s work in Sacramento and Stockton, Calif., noted in the article that throughout an 18-month Advance Peace fellowship, less than $20,000 is typically spent on a cohort of 30 to 50 individuals and an average of 20 to 50 shootings are prevented.

“If you were an economist, you’d say that’s a great return on investment,” he said.

Advance Peace officials noted that its program interrupts gun violence in “American urban neighborhoods by providing transformational opportunities to young men involved in lethal firearm offenses and placing them in a high-touch, personalized fellowship – the Peacemaker Fellowship.”

Officials wrote that Advance Peace bridges the gap between anti-violence programming by working with and supporting a targeted group of individuals at the core of gun hostilities.

Julius Thibodeaux, program manager of Advance Peace Sacramento, and his team of neighborhood change agents, Dedrick Suggs, Ezell Humphrey Grant, Marcus McGhee, Clemmie Fields and Freddie Dearborne Jr. (sitting in white).

They also work with a hard-to-reach population at the center of violence in urban areas, thus breaking the cycle of gun hostilities and altering the trajectory of these men’s lives.

Advance Peace works with public and communitybased stakeholders to establish responsive communitydriven strategies that achieve high-impact outcomes for those caught in the cycle of urban gun violence.

Julius Thibodeaux, program manager of Advance Peace Sacramento, and his team of neighborhood change agents co-authored a blog detailing the importance of Advance Peace.

“What we used to hear, and our young boys today hear too often, is: ‘Be a man, you little punk. Quit crying and be a man. Wipe those tears and shut up before I give you something to cry for,” Thibodeaux asserted.

“Yet he’s only four years old. Even if he can afford to go to the doctor when he gets older, he probably won’t.

We’ve been conditioned to be tough. To suppress our pain and hide our emotions. All this combines to damage our immune system and our brain’s ability to make healthy choices. It’s no wonder we are suffering from dual epidemics: gun violence and coronavirus,” he explained.

The group of change agents led by Thibodeaux insisted that the goal remains to offer “real nutrition” to the community, which they define as daily doses of love, caring, and support.

“We work to boost the immune systems of those traumatized and at the center of gun violence through healthy food and housing, but also through stable mentorship,” the agents declared.

“We are breaking the cycle of a response to trauma that says, “I don’t give a [damn]” to a healing approach that treats our most vulnerable to get to a place where they say, ‘Maybe I do.’”

No juvenile has lost life because of gun violence in Sacramento over the past two years that the program has operated there.

“We have a long way to go to stop our young people from continuing to solve their problems by pointing a gun at someone who looks just like them and squeezing the trigger,” Thibodeaux wrote.

“This pandemic hasn’t changed much since it’s still just another day in the hood, and interrupting death is needed more than ever.”

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Thursday, November 4, 2021

Former Red Sox Jerry Remy Dies

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Boston community is saddened by the loss of former player and announcer Jerry “REM DOWG” Remy. The 68-yearold died of cancer recently.

Whenever I visited Fenway Park he always shook my hand and asked “How are things in California.” He made me feel at home. We would talk Dodgers, Red Sox and things, going on in California. We send his wife Phoebe and the family very sincere Condolences .

“We are saddened by the loss of a beloved player, broadcaster and 13-year cancer warrior,” said principal owner John Henry in

a statement released by the Red Sox. “Jerry’s love and connection to baseball didn’t allow anything to stand between the game and him, including for many years cancer. He devoted his entire career to baseball and whether from his seat in the clubhouse or his perch above the field in the broadcast booth, he took generations of rising Red Sox stars and a multitude of fans along for the ride with him.”

The Fall River, Massachusetts native was a second baseman for the Red Sox from 1978 to 1984 He also spent time with the California Angles from 1975 tom 1978 and is a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

Jerry Remy at Fenway Park-Remy spent 3 years with the California Angels (1975-1978 and the rest of his 10 year career with the Red Sox).

K States Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) getting one of his four sacks. (Photo: Scott Weaver K State Athletics)

Walter Camp Honors MSU’s Walker III and K-State’s Anudike-Uzomah

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer

In one of the most exciting weeks of College football Michigan States Kenneth Walker III, and Felix AnudikeUzomah were named Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.

Running back Kenneth Walker III earned the honors by rushing for 197 yards including a 58 yard run on 23 carries and 5 touchdowns which tied for second most in school history. There were the most ever in the history of the MSU Mich. Series. He had three separate runs of 20 yards or more.

The transfer from Wake Forest helped the help power the Spartans to a 37-33 win over Inner-State and previously unbeaten Rival Michigan.

He helped lead the team from a 16-point deficit by scoring three of his touchdowns in the third and fourth periods. The fivefoot 10- 210 pounder went over the 1,000 yard mark for the season in the first quarter. He came into the game as the nation’s leading rusher averaging 142.4 ypg. And now he has with 1,194 to go with 10 TD’s on the season.

“The whole world was watching,” said head Coach Mel Tucker. And everyone wants to know if he is going to be considered for the Heisman. Ok in games like this you need to produce and he was able to do that.”

The Spartans (8-0, 5-0 BIG10) will be considered for the playoff spot or Rose Bowl.

On the defensive side Felix AnudikeUzomah claimed Defensive Player of the Week by the WCFF. He totaled eight tackles and forced two fumbles in K-State’s 31-12 victory over TCU to tie the school record originally set by Chris Johnson at Missouri in 2000.

“The amount of work that he puts in, his effort, his toughness, it shows.” Said Reggie Subblefield, Senior defensive back. “I’m just so proud of him. What Felix did today, that was the first time I had ever witnessed something like that. That was remarkable. It just goes to show all the work he puts in, he works hard, he’s a humble kid, he’s not a bad dude. He deserves it.”

Two of his forces came on potential sacks, but since the ball was fumbled forward and beyond the original line of scrimmage, they were credited as rushes. If the ball had been recovered on TCU’s side of the line of scrimmage, those two would have been counted as sacks to give him six on the day, which would have tied an NCAA record and broken the Big-12 record.

He is also the fifth Wildcat to win the WCFF award and the first since Allen Chapman did with after three interceptions against Oklahoma State in 2012.

Kenneth Walker III (9) rushed for a record tying 5 touchdowns for Spartans. (Photo: MSU Athletics)

The family of Aaron Lowe, including his mother Donna Lowe-Stern, Lowe’s older brother, Christopher Jackson and Lowe’s sister Davetta Jones weep as Aaron Lowe is remembered Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

For the first time in school history, the University of Utah has officially retired the No. 22 in its football program. The designation happened during the Utes’ game against UCLA at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Retiring No. 22 honors two players who have lost their lives in the past year, running back Ty Jordan, who died Dec. 25 and defensive back Aaron Lowe, who died Sept. 26. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

Bruins Try to Get Bowl Eligible

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The fans came out in Utah the see the home team take on the UCLA Bruins in a PAC 12-Contest. The result was a 44-24 UTES win in front of 51,922.

The Bruins (5-3, 3-3 PAC-12) had a chance to stand out in the PAC-12 South but failed to make a statement , one of the biggest thing left for the Bruins is to make it to a Bowl game.

One bright light was QB Ethan Barbers who stepped in for the injured Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Barbers completed 27 of 44 for 265 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman was not satisfied with his game.

“I could have played better,” said Barbers. “The stat I wanted was the W.” Last week came in off the bench and was on his way to a go ahead score when he threw an interception that stalled the drive and ended hope for the Bruins.

This week the running game was just warm as Zach

Charbonnet had 65 yards on 11 carries and Brittain Brown had 45 yards on 10 carries while there was 411 yards of net offense.

That would be good for most teams but they had 7 penalties for 45 yards. Barbers was also taken down in the end zone for a safety on what looked to be a missed blocking assignment.

It wasn’t a good start for the Bruins defense as the ball control by the home team led to three scoring drives of 75 yards or more on the way to building a 28-10 lead.

Utah rushed for a 290 yard, that’s the most taken in by the Bruin-D all-season. Tavion Thomas busted loose for 160 yards and four touchdowns.

“We came out slow and that’s just not us,” said linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath who finished the game with seven tackles.

“Especially we don’t let teams run the ball on us. We came out and started playing our type of football.”

The Bruins final three games will be home Nov 13 with Colorado, at USC and finish with CAL at the Rose Bowl. They have to win at least one to be Bowl eligible.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

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Los Angeles News Observer A7

Meet Offensive Tackle Rashawn Slater Chargers Weekly-

(Photo: Chargers.com)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com On a near-perfect Friday in Costa Mesa, California. A couple of days before the Los Angeles Chargers were to play the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium. I sat down with Slater to discuss his young NFL career, his thoughts on fellow weight room monster Austin Ekeler and the recent comparisons to NFL great Hall of Fames tackles. He and I sat outside the team facility on one of the benches of the scenic park setting they have in place.

For those unaware, the Chargers selected, with the number #13th pick of the recent NFL draft, the 6’4” 305-pound Offensive Tackle, Rashawn Slater, out of Northwestern. Though this Sugar Land, Texas native opted out of his senior season, he was named to the 2020 Preseason First-Team All-Big Ten, including the 2020 Pre-season All-America team. Having started 37 of the 38 games he played in at Northwestern.

Because Slater opted out of his opting out of his fourth season at Northwestern, I was very much interested in how the Chargers would view this situation. On a zoom conference, after the draft, GM Tom Telesco said, “We did a lot of work on him throughout the whole process, and he’s a perfect fit for us.” Head Coach Brandon Staley added, “We feel like he’s a natural out there, we feel like he has rare athleticism to kick to these wide rushers.”

When asked what separates him from the other Offensive Tackles in the draft, Slater responded confidently, “I’m a technician, I’m consistent. I feel like the best thing that you can be, as an offensive lineman, is consistent, and I’m the most consistent offensive lineman in this draft. I owe that to my technique, my understanding of the game, and just my work ethic.”

“I have the privilege of coming in playing with four veteran O-lineman next to me. Every single one of them I’ve heard from; they were intentional about helping me with my technique and the way I see things, that was a huge impact on me.” Slater added, “Going against Joey (Bosa) was tremendous! Not only for my technique getting better but for the mental part; I’m going against Joey (Bosa), surely I can go into a game and go against anyone.” Slater said as we sat and chopped it up outside the team facility, who he credits for making him even better as a rookie.

In his NFL debut Slater took on an old foe in EDGE Rusher Chase Young of the Washington Football Team, not only was everyone eager to see the matchup of the two BIG 10 standouts. After the Chargers won that game, everyone was eager to hear what coach Staley thought of Slater’s initial game of his career, “He has outstanding movement for the position.

He can unlock and create a lot of power from the ground. He’s got strong hands. Also, if he’s in a disadvantaged position, he can

fix it sometimes where a lot of people can’t. He has that lower body movement, power, and strong hands. When you factor that in with his brain and how smart he is, he can just truly play the game under control and with a lot of power and velocity. He had a good understanding of the game-plan. I was proud of the way he started the game. I feel like if you get off to a good start — just like any player, offensive tackle isn’t any different — you can get yourself into a rhythm early. That’s going to create confidence, the rest of the way. I felt like he did a really good job in the first series of creating a rhythm and confidence for himself.” Staley would say post-game.

A few days later, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi would have this to say about Slater’s debut, “I think that it says a lot. We had high expectations for him, but it’s good to see it validated.

Your comment about how you know what you’re getting when you draft him, you’re always hoping — we thought that we knew — so just the combination of his talent and his character makes that margin of error a lot smaller. I remember the first day that he was out in the field back in the spring and [Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach] Frank [Smith] coming over and saying, ‘Man, this kid is something else.’ He kind of popped right away. It’s good when your draft picks work like that. It’s certainly a credit to our scouting staff. They’ve done a good job for a number of years with those early draft picks. It was fun to see him perform like that.”

Weeks later, Slater’s legend would take another giant step when during the game he told his teammates don’t help me by chip-blocking my guy, most of this game he was lined up against another All-Pro Edge Rusher and potential defensive player of the year candidate Myles Garrett, of the Cleveland Browns. Slater described to me what he said to his teammates, “A chip (block) can be helpful if you see it’s coming, but if it comes from the backfield and you don’t know it’s coming; that could help the defender because it knocks him off the block if you don’t know it’s coming. So that was just the thing, where I was like, ‘Hey guys, I appreciate the help, but if I don’t know it’s coming, it actually does more harm than good.’”

Coach Staley pointed out a couple of things about Slater’s request, “I think that says a couple of things. Number one, what we’ve tried too is to create real trust and communication with our guys, that they can speak up and have a voice to express themselves. Rashawn just felt like, ‘Hey, I can block this guy. I can block this guy man-to-man.’ It says two things that stand out to me — maybe more — but the two things are the trust in the communication to talk to not only Austin [Ekeler], but our offensive coaching staff, and then, number two, the confidence that he has in his ability. I think what you’re seeing is a player

that is earning the confidence to say that because he has a lot of belief in his game. He has a really good plan of attack versus this pass rusher. We all know [Browns DE] Myles [Garrett] is a defensive player of the year candidate, one of the top rushers in the league, one of the top defensive players in the league. Those are all encouraging signs, to me, both of those things. I’m excited that he feels that way and I’m excited that we were able to get that done for him because that’s what you — you want your players put in positions where they can succeed, and he felt like that was going to be the best position for him to be successful.”

Joe Lombardi, the offensive coordinator, shared these thoughts on this unique situation. “There are a couple of things there. Technically speaking, there are times where the tackle knows that he’s getting help, like, ‘Hey, we’re putting a tight end there, or a running back, and he’s going to chip for you.’ You know that it’s coming, so you can have a set plan to plan for that. I’m sure that he still loves those. Sometimes, though, the back has protection, then if you’re free, chip on the way out. As a tackle, you don’t necessarily know that that’s coming. He’s setting, thinking that he’s on his own, and then, all of a sudden, the guy gets hit, and he’s like, ‘I didn’t know that was about to happen.’ I think that was more of, ‘Man, I have a plan to block this guy. I’m good enough to block him. Don’t ruin anything because I’ve got it.’ But, if we put Jared [Cook] right next to him and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to chip this end, and then he’s going to release on a route,’ I’m sure that he’s still happy with that.”

Because Rashawn Slater’s father was a Professional basketball player, he would play some basketball growing up. He also played baseball, soccer and he tried some Taekwondo. So, staying active has always been important. That made him sit out his final year at Northwestern, even that more surprising. I had to ask about that decision, and it made sense when he said, “honestly that year for me, that decision; sounds cliché and corny, but was like a business decision. I knew for me to get a return out it of it, I had to get a lot better during that year. That’s how I approached it. I need to make sure everything I’m doing, as far as my recovery, my workouts, nutrition, in becoming a better player than is I just player another year.”

When asked about his biggest takeaway from his time at Northwestern Slater said, “Northwestern is a program that prides itself in being physical, smart, and disciplined. I feel that molded me into the way I approach the game. You treat practice like a game.”

When asked if he worked out with known workout warrior Austin Ekeler, He jokingly said, “here yeah; Never like a private workout with him.” Knowing that Slater is a beast in the weight room himself, I asked him if he planned on challenging him?

Slater said, “they call him pound-for-pound for a reason. He’d smoke me.”

Shortly before my sit down with Rashawn Slater, I interviewed Shawne Merriman. Knowing I was going to sit down with Slater later that day, I asked Shawne about his thoughts of

Rashawn, and he proceeded to bring up names like Willie Roaf, Orland Pace, and Walter Jones. When I asked Rashawn Slater if he was familiar with those guys and what were his thoughts about this comparison, after laughing at me, he responded modestly when said, “Obviously, it’s a tremendous honor! But I just got to focus on beating the (New England) Patriots! Maybe one day I’ll earn that recognition, but until then it’s one day at a time.” When I told him he was being modest, Slater responded sharply by telling me, “That’s how I feel; the second you let something go to your head, is the second you lose it all.”

Slater says I wasn’t playing football, “I’d wish that I would’ve majored in Physics, and I’d be trying to get into NASA. I love space and physics.” When asked if he would pursue a career in physics after his NFL career, Slater said, “like the NFL, you have to start when you are super young to have a shot.”

When asked, Slater says if I weren’t playing football, “I’d wish that I would’ve majored in Physics, and I’d be trying to get into NASA. I love space and physics.” I followed up by asking him if he would pursue a career in physics after his NFL career, Slater said, “like the NFL, you have to start when you are super young to have a shot.”

As we know, these Chargers are a talented team, and I thought it would be cool to hear his description of some of the players he plays with. So, I proposed playing a name association game with him, where I would mention a player’s name, and he would tell me the first thing that came to his mind describing his teammates; Derwin James- “Baller!”

Joey Bosa- “Freak!”

Linval Joseph- “Hulk!”

Justin Herbert- “Legend!”

Keenan Allen- “Beast!”

Austin Ekeler- “Pound-for-pound” It was a pleasure to sit down with Rashawn Slater. His intelligence was just as impressive as his modesty! Based on what we’ve seen from him early in his career, we all have reason to believe he will be around for years to come in the NFL and Herbert’s backside appears to be just as safe. Share your thoughts on Slater’s young career and what impact he will have on this Chargers team.

Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or shoot me an email at info@whatsgoodinsports.com. I encourage you to forward any suggestions on what topics, angles, or players on this Los Angeles Chargers team you would like to read about this season.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast,” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms; Apple and Google Podcasts, including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. On our Podcast, we have passionate banter about everything NFL while addressing current NBA topics, in addition to discussing multiple issues in and around the world of sports. Thank you, as always, for spending time with me and Making Our Voice, Your Choice!

(Photo: Chargers.com)

G.O.A.T. Fuel Named As The Official Energy Drink Of The Los Angeles Lakers

Energy Drink Developed By NFL Hall Of Famer Jerry Rice EL SEGUNDO – Today, the Los Angeles Lakers announced G.O.A.T. Fuel ® as the official energy drink of the team. G.O.A.T. Fuel ® is a health-focused energy drink, founded by NFL Hall of Famer and noted G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice, his daughter Jaqui Rice Gold and Trevion Gold. The multi-channel sponsorship will see G.O.A.T. Fuel ® activate across the Lakers’ digital landscape via social media & website integration and visibility on the Lakers mobile app, in addition to retail sweepstakes promotions, brickand-mortar pass through rights and in-arena corner board LED signage. Along with sponsorship activations throughout the year, a community-based initiative will also be launched, the G.O.A.T. First Responders Program, honoring front line workers on the court during games twice a season.

The sponsorship marks the first of its kind for the Lakers, establishing G.O.A.T. Fuel ® as the first energy drink brand the Lakers have aligned with. Rice, who is celebrated as the greatest NFL receiver of all time, serves as Executive Chairman of G.O.A.T. Fuel Inc. The deal illustrates the company’s continued rise in the energy drink space and solidifies its position as the goto energy drink for athletes and those looking for a clean boost of energy.

“The Lakers are one of the greatest sports teams of all time, and I’m excited they’ve chosen G.O.A.T. Fuel as their first official energy drink. Seeing how dedicated the team is both on and off the court, we’re thrilled to offer to help keep them energized and fueled up with our health-focused drink, which is not just an energy drink, but a whole lifestyle,” said Rice.

“We want nothing but the best for our players and successful, enduring careers are always the goal. And with the longest career of a wide receiver in NFL history, we feel Jerry Rice and his team at G.O.A.T Fuel have a good understanding of longevity and durability,” said Tim Harris, President, Business Operations, Lakers. “We’re excited to bring them on as the first official energy drink of the Los Angeles Lakers.”

G.O.A.T. Fuel ® provides increased oxygen performance and a clean energy boost thanks to cordyceps mushrooms - the first energy drink to tap into the powerhouse adaptogen. Containing zero sugar and zero preservatives, G.O.A.T. Fuel ® delivers sustained energy and is powered by natural caffeine, green tea, BCAAs and 10 essential vitamins to improve recovery. The ideal beverage for anyone chasing greatness. Visit goatfuel.com to find out where G.O.A.T. Fuel ® can be purchased.

USC’s London is Out

Southern California wide receiver Drake London waves to fans as he is carted off following an injury in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Drake London one of the best receivers in Southern California’s football history may have played his last collegiate game. After scoring his second touchdown which was a 6 yarder from Jaxson Dart.

The junior from Moorpark caught nine passes for 81 yards and two scores before leaving with a serious right ankle injury late in the first half, dampening USC’s 41-34 victory over winless Arizona on Saturday night.

London, who set an FBS record with 79 catches in his team’s first seven games this season, returned to the USC bench in the second half with a cast on his leg.

Obvious it hurts to loose him,” said Sophomore Gary Bryant Jr . “But do what we do, Drake knows he’d tell us. Just do what you guys do and do it well.”

He still leads Power Five receivers in catches (88) and receiving yards (118). He was a Pre-season and Walter Camp All-American pick.

A8

Local

Los Angeles News Observer

Covered California Launches Obamacare OpenEnrollment Period for 2022 With U.S. HHS Secretary Covered California welcomed Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to officially launch Affordable Care Act open enrollment in California and across the nation for the 2022 coverage year. Open enrollment is a time when Americans can sign up for or renew their health coverage through Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. “Obamacare”) marketplaces.

This year, consumers could benefit from more financial help than ever before. The Increased financial help builds on the Affordable Care Act to lower monthly health costs throughout all of 2022, and potentially through 2025 with the proposed national “Build Back Better” plan, helping millions of Americans get covered and stay covered.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in the most robust open-enrollment campaign to date — with recordlow prices, more choices and 30 more days to pick a plan than last season,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Health care should be a right and in reach for everyone.

This open-enrollment season, we will get closer to achieving that goal.”

The open-enrollment period begins with a record-high 12.2 million people enrolled in the federal and state marketplaces, including 1.6 million in Covered California. The increased enrollment has been driven by the new and expanded financial help available through the American Rescue Plan, as part of the landmark federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it sparked In California, open enrollment runs through Jan. 31, 2022 and it is the one time of the year when eligible people cannot be turned away from health coverage. Twelve brand-name health insurance companies will be offered through Covered California for 2022, and all regions throughout the state will offer at least two options.

“Secretary Becerra and the Biden administration have shown that by building on the Affordable Care Act, we can go a long way toward achieving our goal of true universal coverage,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services secretary and chair of the Covered California Board of Directors. “Californians need to see what their coverage options are and find out how affordable insurance can be at CoveredCA.com.”

A recent report found that California had reduced the rate of the uninsured to a record-low 6 percent of the population. For those who are still uninsured, the increased financial help is good news for the estimated 1.1 million Californians who are eligible

for low-cost or no-cost health plans through Covered California or Medi-Cal. More than 85 percent of that group (about 940,000 people) could even get comprehensive quality health care for $0 per month. That means no monthly premium costs for brandname health coverage.

“The Affordable Care Act is working both nationally and here in California, serving as a critical safety net for those who need coverage, and now is the time to sign up,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “The amount of financial help available through 2022, and for many years to come if the Build Back Better plan is enacted into law, will cover the entire cost of many people’s monthly premiums.”

In California, more than 70 percent of consumers who qualify for financial help could choose health coverage for less than $10 per month, which is very similar to the national figure.

In 2021, because many consumers chose to get richer health benefits that better meet their needs, more than half of consumers who are receiving state and federal financial help are paying less than $10 per month and 75 percent paying less than $100 for their brand-name health plan In addition, With this new financial help, hundreds of thousands of middle-income people — both uninsured and those who purchase coverage directly from a health insurance company — can now save thousands of dollars a year on their health coverage premiums if they sign up through Covered California.

Covered California is also launching a new statewide ad campaign this month in multiple languages to encourage people to visit CoveredCA.com to quickly and easily find out if they qualify for financial help and see the health coverage options in their area. They just need to enter their household income, ZIP code, household size and the number of people who need coverage and their ages into the calculator on Covered California’s homepage.

In addition to visiting CoveredCA.com, those interested in learning more about their health coverage options can also:

• Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.

• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.

• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Thursday, November 4, 2021