LA 11.7.19 4C

e

n han ooper. an-American q ruple death rowuad The allegeddcuffs and ha New inmate incident wa Cooper’s 1som’s decision could F lo ri making ouda Today reports t Hills famil 985 conviction in lead to the overtu t. y th rning of and their 1 e killing of Enough Of Authorities say t has the 1-y a ru Your Love” Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino and a s.

Th cal watcher s say, to de case Both the C ivide aliforn and more an a dozenia and United States past appeath lower court su p re ls. s have reject me courts “I take no p ed Cooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g uilt igh-profile said in his terest. N ca executive oor inse free 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer 1. Get for downloading that hby Yothe as rk Tapp d rder ra Sen. Kamew im w n inte es’Play colum rn al at Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your it from Google or The Apple App a io n is H n al t ar N in ri ic have all ca lled for res -tand reality TV starholas Kristof, U.S.tablet or smartphone. forensic Store es K ting using im technology.

SUL current, m Kardashian The ACLU gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P o re sensitive and other h groups hav mattress befbroke into a Louisiaol o n a deeper in e also urged Califuoman rights and soci Serving Los Angeles County News ouretl officers arrested ha ves gation rnia state o al et into Cooper fficials to lajustice s Gov. Newtiso sp quote Sulp okesm M for Over 34 Years unch ’s con m’s hu tion issu el Estes in officers saan Thursday by formerorder Friday expandviction. w Je test four ed re m s G ie p co o M re v. st v o p u io Je ra me. ey h n walkin lowed an ieces of crime scen rry Brown in D us direcad received son lookinTh ember to calls a g into hom an orangealysts to perform DNe evidence. Brownec es.

Estes says prosecutorstowel; and the hanA re-testing on a t’sanorder al- bo M ora proached b dle and sh dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; ut was disncoran into a eath Ry In th new u charges incl vered investigatseiod in the murders. of a hatchet Joshua Ryen, theen’s home with a total u d of hair frois try, meth p ing resisting an hidin v n w o ic m , f o ti an 1 u th m 4 n al 3 e s’ d y v st o st o 8 offic ictims’ han ss sion an ab n his throat -y r-old so button Co ds, blood ssawill look at strands tack. d In Louisiaes oper’s atto . He was ea n, sufferedwounds. ing in the San Bern tigators pla na, a persowearing a m the only su mples and rney Norm th ar a e d in sl in al as p le o h u g C b n at n li o te a io s Cooper rvivor of th unty are n c an Hile m After Coop d at the sc green nvicte Angeles most. Excecan be sentencedco ain ins in e at- D.A.’s officen t surprised en to thre . Many of’s attorneys are moak ptions are al ves- legally stayed in eras’s jail break, inves about vestigatioCnounty Superior Coeuof the crime. A ta ra ci h al o in li ti th b lo re al days like H gators foun house next g out th iases and d em . so y they wed for li tire rt judge wil ei d, e il- complaints iscriminatio frequently compab d fo g l oversee thd Los familsa Coo er, 61 It’s unclearalloween and Marre lain aboutr y’s station uwnd evidence in thoeor to the victims. hTh are handle n e in, has main in years. Hispla di G th if g e an w M m d R g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n st n ’s w ei se ed h la th h r y cu For some, G as a lawy o e and in st ers hope th at tied Coo ca

by Gov. N e results ohfis innocence over th ov. Newsom per to themm the under pressuretor Michael Selyem,month, a San Bernarses or ewsom, w the case Newspapers the re-testin for making w d help51 ’s e oinf g in Group u Volume 34 Number Observer of Southern California Thursday, November 7, 2019 in h o h rd o o o rd ic n er pro is h is er s. so W b co

to ci ei v u h e al m ng met wit b aden D g ordered cr ld ke sev ite, their client’ the murder him. h ismay. ro er A test- chelle Obamedia. His insults taurgde and racist and co resigned s innocenta The lone N ce and final months, will porters of the sRJoshua Ryen anddfa mments et a, ed U ,S fo su B . rm R la In 1985, a rv ep. Maxine ck shooting ally exoner er First Lad ivor yens and H mily, friend they are dis San Diego at W v on four cou s u e ic at g ap an ti h er m es pointed wit d s and an un y Mi“Unfortun h the goverall across the statesup- Los AThomas R. Parker., named 26 and an nts of murder. ACt ounty jury convicte at el sa n a n o y, fo y fo g r’ eles office, rmer deputy cord - incluescaped prison inmthe time of his arre d Cooper n r justice in this caseover time it seems s decision. b el h ie ea Th v es ooper. d of the FB is guy is in o District st, he was e victims’ d in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim I’s Attorney Jamatters less and leth nocent,” C esire “The evidence “Prior DN ries and the ania – did ss,” San Ber he told the in so al n re A w n as A d o n te er p n o n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N t help his ca ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d st th ai Y , id an o at m h rk d.” e was fram in a statem ed ould ex Mr. Cooper inor erly named 1958 frustrated.

“People arein very Peoplese. ed, the copTimes. ent.

Whof onerate him two years hisk presidency, when sought,“The per’s guilw at has agreedfirst s lied t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep h av t a to th e fe al e d an Republicans were in charge, they refused to provide any er l ca d confirmed al appellate se going nsylv Yet persuas want this administration go.

And let ania. When was born as ad During his , he wto M an ec co r. o d u p u C iv ti C te rt oo- Andoso, oversight whatsoever. e ar ’s dthat d and renam n anthe monies and h ecisiotook d reinvestigation LAKE FOR hoo histhe n in 2004 tooper alive - is view th and he spenchildI’m ed KevineCwas six reas allegationsguments based onplace e case wRobert] me tell you something.

Goby before that was done [Special Counsel parentop EST o stay his ex v. N is recoverin t a good dp,at co o o it o ts n f h n o ew ab ev fl p p m er ic le h so id juvenile det ore scBy y ti . q en m si n u D ca ’s g ce es g after bei,nCalif. (AP) – Offici ar

N ll d te ti ie t ta JOHN ROGERS y ec A o n st o m Mueller was not a part of a congressional process. n ab ti is if g te s p fi io at ad u ab st er c entiontocendo it inole y se n o o in ev in o rs d n u to g g id u t sc h ro , se of that list. But we have the co th en im k al en ad a men d ee e lo m ce ce li to ail Coo m hods an “Now, p ising theCal in Southern g struck by a poli w an es earlyout . ters. In 198 tal health fa ifornia GReport Associated other roPress Mueller ine the in th per. Three et d stories inraafter c California.

2, Cooperving in several attack, and in nsw overnorcame uANGELES L n ag ci te d C li u rm al o ty n h if f av w w o o in v rn ea f es e h LOS (AP) – This didn’t es each Pdetectives ose at Pennsy the progress tiiaif wehig spent looking ten right way. Because itlvin . we don’t do h exptime supthe the Orangea Btime olice Office were usedCommittee, p o ec ania before caped from three attackers whoorn testimony, JoshponsJudiciary rt ta er iv ti s o e o n During his C in n ounty Reg the stolen art, someone ledis them tor Th it. the pto the “D of N justice, wheres.we believe that have ua Rexamples moving to could have ere Wh som olitrack A testin yen said hofe obstruction ti l Ldown eosaid murder trempower ne’s pTuesday terecovered the right way,gued wethatwill simply r he initiaollmas bee Hisw eft police g should im et when th e th Los ca Angeles they sa ial, prosecu president violated the law. w solv panic. ite. He later tethe e F R eb Further con st m y . e en ifi ed 1 ca ed 9 ia Ryen, theirCooper killed husban t ca . tors succes te d thatone se and final process ly ta$800,000 arted in fryoth Chfrustrations mp iang said d of the theyof the of printsMby Scottish abstract expression“But 1be him and helpneihim 0-yeare-elected. nt ly ensure ju ke place worth uring theMueller to r-old daugh d and wife Doug sfully ar- ban named Diana Rolicating the prosecuti was that cG re u th ghborto ir at e ist Benjamin Creme after a caller told them they sa D st campaibecause definitive statement ys when he were in ice is served NAa ev Christopher per came fo and Peggy ons’ claims, he refused to make elonging to te ssica an the animal g id n en .

“N ce g rw ,” b o a h o Hughes. rPJe ca d w u t w er t ar t o as an n om- since test Angeles nly person’s helsubject t to chec bigsuburb he couldn’t the ingpresident p law to an othe ger thanof San uFeris it pro home in theALos blosaid olice found 11-year-old inal. She turned former boyfriend d with he in is caisse not ody cl nimal Con othing who wasindictment. would comenforcemen the evidence nando. the bloodie Even thoth t solve crimven to an an trol officersa house cat.

By Stacy M. Brown a v u io e d destroyed it. g at le im h es o nt crim-I think ru is bohappened ver to the no cost toPolice , the al hospprints shedfor ewsom’s change there ld, he is trwas aNdramatic the ital, wwere NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent the statbelieve au1,200 police“So, African Am decisioninin ma. signed heronly eathe , butwhat dingpresident e it recente. ” thetrcaller sue th was diagnbole theyWe iswere ericans, His carefully before thseveral years but who had them had e the situation. looking at – at C WASHINGTON — October 31, 2019 — Today, by C o o al p o se if D er n panics and r. case atch Krause, aand discovered ing. He isornia voters across thae potentily allychecked inwthe past. otherwhat she expecKtsristidatabase a party line vote of 232-to-196, the Democrat-controlled polarizina glaw-enforcement minohappened v et k er p ri ee in o ti p th li es livthe arian, tells ing his fo ticathey were stolen. back e 11-po d - whistleblower “When came forward, well, Continue House of Representatives took the historic step of passing a cus that’s th into (5police on fa l spectrum are who was -kilograthey d oof e wild afteurntold n pus notthidentified, m) cat to agebelieve happening right now. Many resolution, formalizing the parameters of the next phase of A2 this was his irness anThe d jucaller, M it cG re st ic g u ai e ir n e s st v were found when a storage locker kept by a relative who is re attempt actually to be involved in the election next year. ited the ngth. that if h the impeachment inquiry. An important move in a process “So, it’s one thing to talk about his past, but it’s a had died was cleaned out.e sees it again, he’ll bisobcat on Friday. that could eventually lead to the impeachment of President su e a tick They include “Flame-Coloured Deva,’’ “Shakti II’’ whole other situation to speak about him violating the law et for ja Trump. and other colorful works by Creme, who in later years bepresently on an ongoing basis.

Shortly after the resolution was passed, Congresswoman “And, if you listen to his public statements, he’s been came better known for his belief in UFOs and predictions Karen Bass (D-CA), the Chair of the Congressional Black pretty bold about saying, Yes, he thinks that China should of a second coming of Christ and other messiahs.

Caucus, briefed publishers and editors from the Black He died in 2016 at age 93. provide dirt on opponents.

Press of America during an exclusive conference call with Police didn’t describe the circumstances of the art “People are very frustrated. People want this members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association administration to go. And let me tell you something. I’m theft or who the works might be returned to, and the (NNPA). at the top of that list. But we have to do it in the right way. case’s lead detective, Steven Franssen, did not immediately The congresswoman explained to Black Press Because if we don’t do it in the right way, we will simply return a call for comment. publishers what has transpired, and what to expect going Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1922, Creme said he empower him and help him to be reelected. forward.

“And so truthfully, up until the time of the was 13 when he decided to devote himself to art and be“I wanted you to know, first and foremost, that we did whistleblower, I was of the mind that if we impeach him, gan painting and drawing constantly. Early works includnot vote to impeach the president. We passed a resolution there would be no way he’d be tried and convicted in the ed landscapes, but by the 1940s he had turned more to that had five major points,” Bass stated. colorful abstracts.

Senate.

“Over the last few months, we have been involved in Beginning in the 1960s he began to turn his atten“At this point, I feel like several people around him, an impeachment inquiry, and our Republican colleagues especially from the State Department in the Intelligence tion to more metaphysical issues, saying in writings and had wanted us to vote on an inquiry,” she said.

Community, have had enough and they’re spilling the lectures that he was communicating telepathically with a “What we did today was a vote on an impeachment “master.’’ goods. inquiry, and we voted to continue the depositions and He developed a new form of meditation in 1974 “And this is a qualitatively different situation than hearings and investigations that have been ongoing.” called Transmission Meditation and began publishing Today’s action in the House opens the door for all Shortly after the resolution was passed, Congress- existed a month ago.

“With his illegal behavior, the president is really several books, according to the Benjamin Creme Museum Americans to hear and see the public presentation of the woman Karen Bass (D-CA), the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, briefed publishers and editors providing all of the information we need. website. At one point he claimed Jesus Christ and other testimony and evidence against the president.

“He goes out in public and says that, you know, he messiahs had returned to Earth but hadn’t revealed themThe vote also provides the president and his legal from the Black Press of America during an exclusive team the opportunity to present evidence, witnesses and conference call with members of the National News- invites the Chinese to investigate his opponents. You know, selves. you’re watching him on live TV say things that one could testimony in the president’s favor and to cross-examine paper Publishers Association (NNPA). argue are illegal. anyone who testifies against Trump.

“He is holding back hundreds of millions of dollars The House Intelligence Committee will continue to vote them off the floor, that will be the beginning of the hold private meetings on impeachment, but will soon hold impeachment process,” Bass continued. “It’s a two-step in foreign assistance, military assistance to one of our process, that you can view from an indictment, which is allies who are in the middle of a war. Now you refuse to public hearings, Bass stated.

“The legislation directs the Judiciary Committee to what an impeachment is, and then a trial will take place assist them until they publicly say that they are going to investigate your opponent. review the evidence, and, if necessary, to report Articles of in the Senate.

“Then you have him panic and decide that he is “So, that is where we are right now. And I know Impeachment to the House…” said Bass, “…if and when we get to that point where Articles of Impeachment are when I talked to people all over the place, people are so going to pull troops away from an ally, another ally, and introduced in the Judiciary Committee and voted out of frustrated because it seems like we have been investigating essentially a slaughter occurred. Those two things together this president forever. But the reality is, Congress only has are dramatically different than anything that’s happened the committee.” before.”

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) – Buffalo Wild Wings says “If we take Articles of Impeachment on the floor and been investigating the president since March of this year. multiple employees have been fired at one of its suburban Chicago restaurants after a group of mostly African American customers said they were asked to move to another table because of their skin color.

The Naperville Sun reports Buffalo Wild Wings spokeswoman Claire Kudlata said Sunday the company conducted a thorough internal investigation and “terminated the employees involved.’’

Kudlata said via email that the company “has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.’’

Justin Vahl of Montgomery says he was celebrating a birthday last month with children and adults at the Naperville restaurant when a host asked about his ethnicity.

Vahl says a manager later asked his group to move because a regular customer didn’t want to sit near black Whites are caught with illegal drugs more people. They left for another restaurant after several manoften. However, according to the new analysis, agers tried to move them.

Welcome to Observer Interactive

Deeper Content. Pictures Move. Ads Talk. Live Shopping.

Man in Go Breaks in r Hides UndH e

Free!

News Observer Los Angeles

House Vote on Impeachment Inquiry

Bobc at Recove Caller Leads LAPD After Bein to $800K Stoleng Hi Poin l Artwork ice Car

Buffalo Wild Wings: Workers Fired Over Skin Color Reseat

LAPD Racial Profiling Dilemma Evidence of Police Bias

Whites were more likely to be found with drugs, weapons and other illicit articles, at 20 percent of all searches, whereas Blacks were only at 17 percent and Latinx at 16 percent. The count included both pat-down and vehicle searches.

The “Brothers, Sons, Selves” coalition’s manager, David Turner, remembered when his father told him to fear the cops, but didn’t understand why until an officer held a gun to him during a random traffic stop.

By Isabell Rivera OW Contributor Although crime in Los Angeles has somewhat decreased over the years, certain areas—such as South Los Angeles—have witnessed an increase. And with high crime comes high police activity.

The issue Since racial diversity between Whites and persons of color is practically non-existent in certain neighborhoods, the targets of police detainments/arrests are mostly people of color. Being at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and wearing the wrong colored clothes, or just being in the car, waiting for the traffic light to switch, or having broken headlights, might all be reasons to be stopped by the police.

However, the color of someone’s skin might just be enough of a reason to look like a suspect.

According to a new LA Times analysis, more than 20 percent of vehicle stops that involved African Americans were for equipment violation, such as a broken taillight or tinted windows were the reasons, compared to 11 percent of Whites who were stopped. Those types of violations can serve as a motive for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to look for more that isn’t as obvious at first glance.

Those so-called “pre-textual traffic stops” are legal but are taken with a grain of salt; since critics say that it gives law enforcement too much freedom to decide based on instinct versus evidence.

Metro Division under scrutiny One division of the LAPD has been under scrutiny: the elite Metropolitan (Metro) division. They are trained to perform various tasks in regard to diverse crime-fighting duties, such as surveillance, counter terrorism, as well as crowd control. Recently, they’ve been assisting the South Bureau to help fight crimes associated with gangs and drugs.

“We’re trying to stop drive-by shootings,” Capt.

Jonathan Tippet of Metro told the LA Times. “If we’re not here, it’s going to have a negative impact and allow people to go back to committing crime. If we’re not here to keep the peace, we’re going to have bloodshed.”

The problem is that the “stop-and-frisk” procedures mostly happen to people of color. In a city that is just 9 percent Black, 49 percent of the drivers stopped by the Metro division were Black.

Former NAACP Leader Mfume to Run for Congress

(iStockphoto / NNPA)

“African-Americans were not the quote-unquote target. And that’s my concern with the data point and how it’s being interpreted — that we just went out looking for African Americans,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.

“That’s not what crime suppression was involved in.”

Statistics of other races that were stopped by Metro: Latinx at 44 percent, account for 49 percent of the city’s population. Whites on the other hand, accounted for less than 4 percent of the drivers stopped but are 28-percent city population.

Whites are caught with illegal drugs more often.

However, according to the new analysis, Whites were more likely to be found with drugs, weapons and other illicit articles, at 20 percent of all searches, whereas Blacks were only at 17 percent and Latinx at 16 percent. The count included both pat-down and vehicle searches. The “Brothers, Sons, Selves” coalition’s manager, David Turner, remembered when his father told him to fear the cops, but didn’t understand why until an officer held a gun to him during a random traffic stop.

“We’re watching all these movies, all these things that glorify law enforcement, we’re thinking they’re cool, but my dad [told me] ‘We need to be afraid,’” Turner said in an interview. “This is because of the things he experienced here as a Black man in Los Angeles. That trauma he had, he passed to my sister and I.” According to the LA Times, the LAPD’s former constitutional policing advisor, Arif Alikhan, said that the conducted analysis doesn’t account for the difficulties a police officer has in gauging the situation.

“We don’t pull people over based on race. We’re not supposed to do that,” Alikhan said. “It’s illegal. It’s

unconstitutional. And that’s not the basis [on which] we do it.”

Alberto Retana, president of Community Coalition, wasn’t surprised by the data, and gave a statement on behalf of the social justice coalition PUSH-LA, which stands for Promoting Unity Safety & Health Los Angeles, that advocates to reform policing.

“To communities of color across Los Angeles, the article’s data is unfortunately unsurprising and verifies what we know to be true about the racial profiling happening by the LAPD. These vehicle searches are just the tip of the iceberg as the LAPD also has a long track record of aggressively searching the homes and schools of people of color,” Retana said. “This clear evidence of racial profiling has many harmful implications for Black and Brown families, including emotional and material impact when they get unjustly tangled in the mass incarceration system.

Activists demand ‘real reform’ “The LAPD’s response that they don’t pull over and search people based on race should be met with heavy skepticism, especially given that of the 385,000 stops analyzed by the Times report, three quarters of them involved Black and Latinx people,” Retana continued.

“Our community members in South LA and other overpoliced communities are terrified of the police and don’t feel protected or served. We want real reform and the PUSH LA ‘Reimagine Protect and Serve’ coalition will be sending a letter to Mayor Garcetti and Chief Moore with three key demands.”

The purpose The first mission that’s on the LAPD’s agenda is the Continued on page A3

BALTIMORE (AP) – A former leader of the NAACP says he will run for the Maryland congressional seat that became vacant with the death of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Kweisi Mfume (kwah-EE-see oom-FOO-may) announced his plans Monday to regain the seat he held before leading the civil rights organization.

Mfume currently serves as the chairman of Morgan State University’s board of regents. He represented Maryland’s 7th Congressional District from 1987 to 1996.

The district stretches across parts of Baltimore and Howard and Baltimore counties.

Gov. Larry Hogan has set a special primary for Feb. 4, and a special general election for April 28.

Also running are Democratic state Del. Talmadge Branch and Republican Liz Matory, who has lost two previous congressional races.

Cummings died Oct. 17 at the age of 68.

Bill Clinton Among Those Honoring Conyers at Funeral DETROIT (AP) – Former President Bill Clinton has told a crowd of people at the funeral for former Congressman John Conyers that he not only represented people in his district, but those around the country and “even around the world on the things we should all care about.’’

Clinton was among the speakers at Monday’s services at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

Conyers died Oct. 27 at age 90 at his Detroit home, two years after resigning from Congress where he served for 50 years. He first was elected in 1964 and was a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. Conyers also is credited with creating the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy was damaged in 2017 following allegations that he sexually harassed female staffers. He denied the allegations but eventually stepped down, citing health

A2

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, November 7, 2019

World & Nation

Black Caucus in Denouncing New Cuba Travel Ban Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the chair of the CBC, said suspending flights from the United States to all destinations outside of Havana is yet another cruel and counterproductive policy put forth by the Trump administration.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has heavily criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to limit further the ability of American citizens to travel to Cuba.

CBC leaders said Trump’s actions would negatively affect the U.S. economy.

They also called the decision another personal attack by the president against the policies of former President Barack Obama.

The White House announced that the president has banned all flights to Cuba with the exception of Havana.

The action, which comes four months after the Administration banned cruises to Cuba, will take effect on December 10.

“In line with the President’s foreign policy toward Cuba, this action prevents revenue from reaching the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of the Cuban people and its support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela,” State Department officials said in a news release.

“This action will prevent the Castro regime from profiting from U.S. air travel and using the revenues to repress the Cuban people,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the chair of the CBC, said suspending flights from the United States to all destinations outside of Havana is yet another cruel and counterproductive policy put forth by the Trump administration.

“Over 20 years ago, members of the Congressional Black Caucus created a program to recruit young African American and Latino students to attend medical school in Cuba at no cost,” Bass stated.

“Over the years, hundreds of students have been trained with the commitment to return to the United States and work in underserved communities.

“These young doctors provide health care to the most vulnerable among us. This new policy from the Trump administration can impact these students’ ability to return home for exams freely and to visit their families,” she said.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said the ban isn’t good for anyone – Americans or Cubans.

“Instead of considering the best interests of the American and Cuban people, the president has made a political decision to squander jobs, severely restrict travel, and undermine our international standing,” Lee stated.

“Since President Obama transformed U.S. relations with Cuba in 2014, Americans and Cubans alike have reaped the benefits of expanded trade, loosened travel restrictions, and strengthened diplomatic ties.

“The American people should be able to exercise their fundamental right to travel without political interference from the federal government,” Lee added.

“Abandoning our progress makes no sense and achieves nothing. This is a completely unnecessary step backward for American families and businesses, the Cuban people, and U.S. global leadership,” she stated.

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis said the trade association that represents the newspaper and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America supports the CBC’s position against the new travel restrictions to Cuba.

“The NNPA forthrightly supports and joins with the

CBC leaders said Trump’s actions would negatively affect the U.S. economy. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

CBC in expressing our opposition to the imposition of new travel restrictions on citizens of the United States to travel to the Republic of Cuba,” Chavis stated.

“African Americans, in particular, have an anthropological, cultural, and African ancestry direct connection with the people of Cuba. The Trump Administration should not suspend flights from the United States to all destinations outside of Havana,” Chavis added.

“This new policy is a counterproductive and serious violation of human rights of all who live in Cuba and the United States. We called for the immediate restoration of U.S. travel to all airports in Cuba without discrimination or restrictions,” he said.

Bass added that the policy would make it harder for Americans to do business with and travel to Cuba. The administration’s approach to trade, tourism, and family remittances not only hurts ordinary Cubans but will ultimately lead to a slowdown of business for U.S. companies, Bass stated.

“What possible impact could restricting these flights have for the national security interest of the United States?” she said.

“This arbitrary move seems more intent on reversing the Obama legacy than achieving any foreign policy goals.”

Illinois Prison Bans Black History Books Officials Claim the Works are ‘Racial’

“By disallowing black inmates to learn about their specific history, the state reinforces the incarceration cycle instead of empowering folks to thrive outside the system as free members of society,” said D. Gilson, a writer for ExpertInsuranceReviews.com.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent In the 1800s, many states in the Union adopted laws that prohibited teaching African American slaves how to read and write.

Thirty lashes or even death would be the punishment for blacks who learned to read or write. Whites who taught blacks would incur fines or even a short jail sentence.

Perhaps, someone forgot to tell Illinois prison officials

that it’s 2020, not 1820.

Officials at the Danville Correctional Center removed about 200 books from a prison library and banned their use in an inmate education program because they said the books were “too racial.”

The catalog ban included several classic books related to African American history like, “The Souls of Black Folk,” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”

According to published reports, three out of every four

inmates in Illinois prisons are African American, causing some to conclude that banning the books was a means for prison officials to deprive blacks of learning their history.

The books are part of an education program initiated by the Education Justice Project (EJP) and run by the University of Illinois.

The Chicago Tribune, which first reported the dispute, noted that the flap between the program and prison officials started last year when the Education Justice Project began the review process for the upcoming semester’s books and course materials.

That’s when a corrections lieutenant told program officials that the problem with the materials was that they were “racial,” according to testimony by EJP Director Rebecca Ginsburg.

The EJP library is separate from the prison library, and it follows a different review process than the process that governs how reading materials are distributed to inmates through the prison’s mailroom. But Ginsburg told lawmakers [at a July hearing] the review policy has gone through seven revisions over the past four years.

“In this case, records show EJP submitted 25 books for approval. Of those, four were denied outright, nine were allowed in for review but then denied, and 12 were approved,” The Tribune reported.

“Among the books not allowed in for review was “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.” Books denied after review for the spring semester deal primarily with race and social issues, including “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe and “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs, both written in the 1800s,” according to the newspaper.

“Censorship in prisons is the biggest First Amendment violation in America. Yet, it remains one of the least talked about and least examined,” Kelly Jensen, a former librarian, wrote in a blog for Book Riot.

The criminal justice system is no longer primarily concerned with the prevention and punishment of crime, but rather with the management and control of the dispossessed, D. Gilson, a writer for ExpertInsuranceReviews. com, told NNPA Newswire.

“Education empowers individuals to rise above their

dispossession,” stated Gilson, who has taught writing and popular culture studies at the university level for more than a decade.

“Thus, it is no surprise the state of Illinois had banned black history books — books that explain the injustices that have been brutally forced on black and brown bodies since the first African slaves were brought to the Americas,” Gilson stated.

“By disallowing black inmates to learn about their specific history, the state reinforces the incarceration cycle instead of empowering folks to thrive outside the system as free members of society.”

Social media influencer Kenny Screven told NNPA Newswire that removing books on black history from prisons where the population is predominately African American is unfair.

“It has forbidden people to learn about their history. As a black man, it’s really bizarre to hear this,” Screven stated.

“Throughout school, we are constantly talking about white folks and how they’ve influenced society. They rarely ever talk about black people doing amazing things in the world. We’re only ever taught about slavery, but there’s so much more to our history than slavery,” he stated.

Screven continued: “I don’t think it’s humane to stop someone from learning about their culture. Being aware of our past helps open doors for the future. If those inmates learn more about our history, maybe they will have a change of heart. If we are not able to learn about our history, we increase the risk of being forgotten. Knowledge is power, and the more we know, the better off we will be.”

Bruce Mirken, a spokesman for The Greenlining Institute, said removing the books does reflect racism.

“All of American history has ‘racial content,’ from the Constitution’s accommodation of slavery to the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans to Japanese internment during World War II,” Mirken stated in an email to NNPA Newswire.

“To ignore black perspectives doesn’t eliminate racial content, it just ensures that only white points of view get included.”

Black Teen Suicide Reaches Historic Highs

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent African American teenagers in the United States historically have had lower suicide rates than their white counterparts – until now.

A new study analyzing suicide among American teens by a team led by researchers at the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University have uncovered several troubling trends from 1991 to 2017, among Black high school students in particular.

Researchers discovered that between 1991 and 2017, there has been an increase in the number of African American teens who said they had attempted suicide in the past year. Suicide rates for teenagers of other races and ethnicities either remained the same or decreased over that period.

The researchers did not cite a reason for the trend.

Bill Prasad, a licensed professional counselor with Contemporary Medicine Associates in Bellaire, Texas, cited what he believed are some reasons.

“Lack of accessibility to mental health care, the inability to pay for medications and healthcare coverage, the lack of acceptance of mental illness among some members of the black community, and the availability of firearms,” Prasad stated.

Prasad was not among the researchers involved in the study.

Frank King, the so-called “Mental Health Comedian,” called the problem a “cultural phenomenon.”

“Young people in these groups are less likely to share their issues surrounding depression and thoughts of suicide with friends and family than youth in other racial and ethnic groups,” King stated.

Among the answers is starting the conversation on depression and suicide in high-risk groups,” he said.

“A partial answer is giving young people permission to give voice to their experiences and feelings, without recrimination, such as ‘If you were stronger in Christ this wouldn’t be happening,’ or ‘What do you have to be depressed about, we’ve given you everything. Your father and I started our life with nothing,’ and so forth,” King stated.

Researchers in the NYU study noted that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens from all demographics. They found that only accidents kill more young people than suicide.

The study also revealed that, in 2017, approximately 2,200 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 died by suicide.

Researchers gathered information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 198,540 high school students from 1991 to 2017.

Among high school students of all demographics, 1 in 5 said they were thinking about suicide, and 1 in 10 said they had made a plan to end their lives.

CNN Health reported that the study is in line with earlier research that has shown African American boys, especially younger boys between the ages of 5 and 11, have experienced an increase in the rate of suicide deaths.

In black children ages 5 to 12, the suicide rate was found to be two times higher compared with white children, according to CNN Health.

The study authors found “an increased risk in reported suicide attempts among African-American teens between 1991 and 2017, and boys saw an increase in injuries related to those attempts. That might mean that black teens were using more lethal means when attempting suicide.”

They found a decline in attempts overall among teens who identified as white, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pa-

How to get help: In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or 1-800-4328366. You can also visit http://teenlineonline.org.

Researchers in the NYU study noted that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens from all demographics. They found that only accidents kill more young people than suicide.

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

“Parents should take heed when they observe specific warning signs like changes in behavior, including difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing on school or following routine activities, researching ways to kill oneself on the internet, increasing the use of alcohol or other drugs, and acting recklessly,” said Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist and the author of “The Self-Aware Parent.”

cific Islander.

“As an African American woman, suicide is prominent in our community for two reasons: we often do not know how to handle it amongst our families, and the pressures on our culture are rising,” said Sabriya Dobbins of Project Passport LLC, a company that encourages getaway retreats centered around three mental wellness areas: reflection, community and personal.

“Oftentimes when a black family member says they want to take their life, the family may resort to church, belittle their response and tell them to stop overreacting, or simply assume it is not a big deal,” Dobbins stated.

“African American families are taught to be tough and to hold it together because it is already ‘us against the world.’ We are taught to put our heads down and work hard to get those degrees and move up in our careers.

“This causes expectations to be too high, then depression and anxiety are heightened. Not only are black youth trying to satisfy their families and be strong, but they are trying to fight their way through a world that is not always accepting. A world where they are dying in alarming numbers in senseless crimes. It is a double edge sword.”

Parents should be on the lookout for risk factors, such as a recent or severe loss like death or divorce, said Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author of The Self-Aware Parent.

Dr. Walfish also counts as a regular expert child psychologist on CBS Television’s “The Doctors,” and she costars on WE TV’s, “Sexbox.”

“Parents should take heed when they observe specific warning signs like changes in behavior, including difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing on school or following routine activities, researching ways to kill oneself on the internet, increasing the use of alcohol or other drugs, and acting recklessly,” Walfish stated.

Included among other signs are changes in personality, appearing withdrawn, isolating to their room, irritability, extreme mood changes that are more than typical moodiness, exhibiting rage or talking about seeking revenge, Walfish added.

Other alarms include changes in sleep patterns, insomnia, oversleeping, nightmares, talking about dying, going away, or different types of self-harm, she said.

“Teaching problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, building a strong connection to family, friends, and community support are ways to help,” Walfish stated.

“Restrict access to highly lethal means of suicide, such as firearms, and provide access to effective mental health care, including substance use treatment. Talk to your child.

Many people are fearful that talking to their children about suicide will increase their risk of suicide. This is a myth,” Walfish said.

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 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX (661) 324-9472 General Info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc.com

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019258874 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BOOKKEEPING BIZ at 523 S Mariposa Ave, Unit 11, Los Angeles, Ca. 90020 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): LINDA DULIN, 523 S Mariposa Ave, Unit 11, Los Angeles, Ca. 90020 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: LINDA DULIN, PRESIDENT The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 08/2019 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Sept 26, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: D. PERRY, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH

PUBLIC NOTICE

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 Sept 26, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

LAPD Racial Profiling Dilemma Continued from page A1

prevention of crime—especially gang-related crimes.

In 2015, Mayor Garcetti and then-Chief Charlie Beck executed the “traffic stop and search” method to combat gang violence - mostly shootings - in South LA. And since most gangs in South LA are Black, people of color become a target automatically. However, Metro said, it’s hard to determine what skin color the drivers have when it’s dark outside and the division only stops drivers if there is a reason for it, such as paper license plates, parking violations or broken headlights. However, if the colors of their clothing indicate gang association, they’ll continue to search the vehicle and passengers for weapons and drugs.

It’s a fine line between following procedures and following instinct, but because the Metro Division has been scrutinized just like the New York City Police Department (NYPD) a few years back when they introduced the stopand-frisk, Mayor Eric Garcetti wanted to pull them back completely, which resulted in fear in the South Bureau that crimes will rise - which they did. Shootings in South LA have increased, even before the fatal shooting of rapper Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom). According to news

DNA, �������������������������������

& Fate Reunite Siblings

Maxine Bryant, 60, second from right, stands with her sisters at Scott United Methodist Church, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Adopted as a child, she was reunited with her siblings after 60 years. Her sisters are Donzella Triplett, 69, from left, Birdie Peoples Ferguson, and Victoria Peoples, 67, right. (Photo Kelly Wilkinson)

By SHARI RUDAVSKY The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis (AP) – Adopted at the age of 3 months in 1958, Indianapolis native Maxine Bryant always had wanted to reconnect with her birth family. Although she tried to track them down, the trail always went cold.

So this summer Bryant took an online DNA test to learn more about her ancestry and hopefully find her birth family. The site identified only one person as a living relative: Mishijah Triplett.

About four years earlier Triplett had taken a DNA test. She signed up not to find living relatives but to trace her heritage to Africa.

As any astute reader can see where this story is headed, Bryant reconnected with her siblings through Triplett.

It’s an increasingly common heartwarmer of a tale _ genetic testing brings long-lost family together _ but this time with a twist because of the history of slavery.

Before 1870 African Americans appear on census records only as property and not by individual names. So DNA tests can answer what census records cannot.

Had Triplett not wondered about her ancestry, Bryant might never have been reunited with her three sisters, who last saw her when she was an infant. One of Bryant’s siblings is Triplett’s grandmother.

In retrospect, Triplett, now 27 and living in Atlanta, vaguely remembers hearing something about her grandmother having had another sister.

Her focus, however, was far from that family lore.

“I really just wanted to get some information about my heritage, where I come from, like literally dating back to Africa, just going all the way back, to see what was in my DNA,” Triplett said. “It was just interesting more than anything.”

Triplett learned that her family came from the area near the Congo and confirmed that she had had a Japanese ancestor on her mother’s side.

Then she never really thought about the test again.

For years, though, Bryant had wondered how she might find her birth family.

Born in what was at the time Indianapolis General Hospital (the forebear of Eskenazi Hospital), Bryant always had known she was adopted. As a child, she learned that she had lived with her birth family, who had five older children, for about three months.

Her family, who could not afford a sixth child, arranged for an older couple who had endured 17 miscarriages to legally adopt her.

Her new parents made it very clear that her birth parents had done what they thought best for her.

“They didn’t want me to have any ill feelings,” she said. “They wanted me to feel comfortable about my adoption. They didn’t want me to feel I wasn’t loved.”

When she was about 7, she met her biological father, who by that point was separated from her biological mother.

She remembers getting dressed up for the occasion and meeting a tall man, who seemed much younger than her adoptive parents, who were old enough to be her grandparents.

“It was really cool to meet this tall, handsome man who was my father,” she said. “That was amazing. I can’t remember the conversation at all, just remember him looking me and saying, ‘You look so much like your mom.”’

By this point, Bryant would later learn, the rest of her biological family had relocated to Ohio and were still struggling financially.

The couple who adopted her, however, were a typical middle class family. Bryant graduated from North Central High School and Ball State University.

Her birth father’s comment stuck with Bryant. Somewhere, out there, she knew was a woman who looked like her, sisters and brothers who shared her genes.

“I longed to meet my biological family and see them and get to see people who were my blood,” she said.

After 1990, when the mother who raised her died, Bryant tried to find her family. She knew their last name was Peoples. But she only hit dead ends.

Earlier this year, after she heard some other success stories of people who had done DNA testing, she decided to try it herself. When the results came back in August, there was one match, a name that was not Peoples.

Still, Bryant messaged Triplett through the DNA testing website. When she did not hear back, she tried Facebook. Only later did she learn Triplett had done the testing years earlier and never checked her account on her site. Nor did she see the Facebook message.

So Bryant reached out to two of Triplett’s friends on social media with the last name of Peoples. About a week later, she got a call.

“I think you’re my sister who was given up for adoption in 1958,” said the woman on the other end of the phone, Victoria Peoples.

Both women started screaming and crying.

“You’re my baby sister!” Peoples said. “You’re the sister we’ve all been looking for.”

The two soon realized they were both living in Georgia, just a few hours away from one another. Bryant lived in Savannah, and her birth sisters in Atlanta.

Within a few days, they met for the first time in Macon, between the two cities. By the end of the month, Bryant had attended her first Peoples family reunion.

The more she learned about her birth family, the more the similarities struck her.

Bryant teaches criminal justice and has worked at correctional institutions. Birdie, the sister closest in age to her, worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections. Her middle sister Victoria is a performer. Bryant studied theater in college and is a spoken-word artist.

Bryant has enjoyed getting to know them and her oldest sister, DeeDee. “I’m finding out so much information about me. It’s like I’m rediscovering me,” Bryant said. “There’s this whole world of DNA and what it can tell us about ourselves even when we don’t have the whole story initially, like I didn’t.”

Reuniting with her birth family has had some bittersweet moments for Bryant, such as learning that her two brothers had each died a few years earlier.

But there also has been daily phone calls between Bryant and her three older sisters. Earlier this month, the four of them took a road trip to Indianapolis, the place they last lived together as a family.

The sisters were going to visit the home they lived in as well as the schools they attended. Bryant, who comes back often to visit family, had a speaking engagement on Oct. 13 at Scott United Methodist Church.

For Triplett, finding a long-lost great aunt has whetted her appetite to learn more about her past.

“It was really just like a miracle that came out of nowhere,” she said. “I am thankful that this happened. It’s testament to the fact that you just never know how all the dots connect in life.”

outlets, the month of March accounted for 26 shootings and 10 homicides.

‘Picking up the pieces’ “That’s 36 families left picking up the pieces,” Moore said via Twitter. “We will work aggressively with our community to quell this senseless loss of life.”

The “stop-and-frisk” tactics in New York City resulted in 50.6 percent of Blacks being stopped, although Blacks only accounted for 25.6 percent of the city’s population.

The Latinx population of New York City accounts for 23.7 percent but 33 percent of Hispanics were stopped.

Again, Whites had the lowest percentage: accounting for 43.4 percent of the city’s population, yet only 12.9 percent of those who were stopped randomly, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The “stop-and-frisk” procedures have since been reduced, as a result of a federal lawsuit in 2013, which former federal court Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled to be unconstitutional.” Scheindlin said in an interview that those tactics weren’t effective and that didn’t stop crime.

Deputy Chief Dennis Kato said in an interview that Metro officers stop a large number of Black drivers because many violent crime suspects are Black, the LA Times reported.

Kato told the LA Times that if Black gangs are involved, Metro officers will use traffic violations to stop, “African-American males ages 16 to 24 who dress or look like gang members.”

Social Biases When it comes to racial profiling—although most of this might just be subconscious—it is deeply embedded in most of society and has something to do with the fact of how people have been raised.

According to researchers at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, racial bias forms in infancy. Studies found that infants as young as six months old feel more comfortable around the same race if being overwhelmingly exposed, and therefore favor people who look like them. However, the studies also point out that infants who are exposed to people who look different, develop deep-rooted discomfort.

According to the ACLU, in a study conducted by the University of California and the University of Chicago that “recreated the experience of a police officer confronted with a ‘potentially’ dangerous suspect,” the results were interesting.

In the study, “participants fired on an armed target more quickly when the target was African American than White and decided not to shoot an unarmed target more quickly when the target was White than when AfricanAmerican. Participants failed to shoot an armed target more often when that target was White than when the target was African American. If the target was unarmed, participants mistakenly shot the target more often when African American than when White. Shooting bias was greater among participants who held a strong cultural stereotype of African Americans as aggressive, violent, and dangerous.”

Chief Moore responds “There is a conversation… that the current presentation of data we are talking about is having a terribly corrosive effect on people of color, particularly African-Americans, and that concerns me as a chief,” Moore said. “I hear and feel the trauma this has reignited, the injury, the concern that somehow [the] LAPD is slipping back into its old ways.”

Retana and Moore met in March to discuss the removal of Metro. “What we’re finding is that AfricanAmerican residents are afraid of police officers, and that

break of trust undermines public safety,” Retana said, as the LA Times reported.

Regardless of crime prevention resulting from the “stop-and-frisk” procedures in South LA, for many Blacks who reside there insist that “driving while Black” is a grim reality confirmed by statistics.

“Many police practices may be useful for fighting crime — preventive detention or coerced confession, for example—but because they are unconstitutional, they cannot be used, no matter how effective,” Scheindlin said in the plaintiff against New York City, in the 2013 lawsuit.

Change in sight After the LA Times investigated and reported that the random traffic stops performed by Metro were considered “bias” at most, the LAPD said to cut back.

Moore issued a statement and told the Times the vehicle stops performed by Metro were not proven successful, accounting for one arrest per 100 cars stopped, as it was adding more stress and tension to drivers who felt like being selected depending on their race.

Officers of the Metro Division, who number approximately 200, will focus on wanted suspects for violent offenses instead, and use other methods besides traffic stops to make arrests.

The new changes will take place in late November of 2019 and were directed by community leaders who criticized the Metro Division’s “stop and search” methods.

Retana told the LA Times that the stop and search methods by the LAPD have caused quite the distress on the Black and Latinx community in South LA. “These changes to Metro’s policing style in South Los Angeles vindicate what our community has been saying all along about the highly imbalanced use of pre-textual stops on Black and Brown people,” said Retana, on behalf of PUSH LA coalition.” We need to ensure that there’s proof that the stops by Metro are in fact ending, which means the LAPD must be transparent in its release of real data in regular reports.”

‘Reimagine Protect & Serve’ In 2017, the number of cars stopped and searched

by Metro rose from a few thousand cars prior to 63,000, which are about 12 percent of all LAPD traffic stops.

Opponents of the LAPD, and its divisions, criticized Metro saying it reminds of the crucial times of the past where the police targeted mostly minorities.

Moore said in a statement regarding the Times’ analysis that it didn’t cover all aspects, but that the report raised concerns he will take a closer look at.

“We’re aware that the disparate impact on communities of color, particularly in South Los Angeles, raises concerns about trust and confidence that this is a department that’s sensitive to what our interaction with them are,” he said. “I think...what traffic stops represent is a small area of what our work is. Our work is in many different fronts in regard to public safety, including prevention and intervention efforts.”

Community Coalition, ACLU work in tandem Since the ACLU and CoCo were among the only local social justice organizations that demanded Mayor Garcetti to pull Metro back from South LA completely, or at least cut back on random traffic stops and searches, vehicle stops have been down by 11 percent by all LAPD officers in comparison to the same period last year. In a statement issued by Garcetti to the Times, he said, “I look forward to our Police Commission and department leaders using this information to improve best practices, and I expect the department to work consciously and evenhandedly to earn the trust of every Angeleno, every day, with every interaction.”

Chargers Shut Down Aaron Rodgers & the Green Bay Packers

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com This past Sunday afternoon the Los Angeles Chargers welcomed in the 7-1 Green Bay Packers into Dignity Health, after making a big change on their coaching staff earlier in the week. When Head Coach Anthony Lynn spoke about this trade he stated, “This was a change that definitely had to be made.” Aside from facing a one-loss team and a Superbowl winning quarterback, in the Packers, the Chargers and their fans had to be eager to see how this new change would impact the team this week.

Coming off a month of not rushing for over 40 yards in a game, the 3-5 Chargers play-calling duties were now being handed over to their former Offensive Quality Control Coach and Quarterbacks Coach Shane Steichen, with assistance from Head Coach Anthony Lynn. The Coaching Staff and bolts fans alike were eager to see how this team responded.

New Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur joins legendary Vince Lombardi earlier this season as the only coaches in franchise history to win his first three games.

He also became the 19th NFL Head Coach and the first since Jim Harbaugh, in 2011, to win seven of his first eight games. Additionally, the Packers have won two consecutive games against AFC Western teams as well as becoming one of six teams to be undefeated on the road this season coming into Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

In their final game at Dignity Health Sports Park for the next four weeks, the Chargers started this game moving the ball fluidly, though they ended their first three drives with field goals of 20, 40 and 34 yards. The Chargers added a 43-yard field goal from Michael Badgley midway way through the third quarter, before Melvin Gordon got into the fun by scoring his first touchdown of the game late in the third quarter. Gordon’s second touchdown 4th quarter touchdown extended the lead midway through the 4th quarter.

While the tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram ended the Packers’ initial early drives with respective sacks

on Aaron Rodgers. The Chargers defense collectively stifled the Packers offense by holding Rodgers to 161 yards passing. Similarly, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were held to a subpar 40 yards rushing yards, for the game.

After the game, I asked Aaron Rodgers how much Ingram and Bosa played in the Packers offensive futility on Sunday he responded by saying, “They’re great players.

I think they pressure once or two times the entire game, a lot of four-man rushes and they got after us, a little bit upfront. So, we’ve got to get back to protecting and throwing the ball on time and being accurate” Rodgers continued to say, “This is a good slice of Humble for us!

We were kind of rolling at 7-1, and starting to listening to the Chatter maybe a little too much!”

When he announced that the new offensive coordinator, Head Coach Anthony Lynn made it clear that Shane Steichen would not be looking over his shoulder as he would be making the plays calls this week. After being asked what he thought about the job Shane Steichen did post-game, this past Sunday afternoon the Los Angeles Chargers welcomed in the 7-1 Green Bay Packers into Dignity Health, after making a big change on their coaching staff earlier in the week. When Head Coach Anthony Lynn spoke about this trade he stated, “this was a change that definitely had to be made.”

Aside from facing a one-loss team and a Superbowl winning quarterback in the Packers, the Chargers and their fans had to be eager to see how this new change would impact the team this week. At 3-5, the Chargers are coming off a month of not rushing for over 40 yards in a game.

Therefore, the play-calling duties were now being handed over to their former Offensive Quality Control Coach and Quarterbacks Coach Shane Steichen, with assistance from Head Coach Anthony Lynn. So, the coaching staff and bolts fans alike were eager to see how this team responded.

Continued on page A4

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Sports

Canelo Takes on Kovalez at MGM Grand Arena

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinspoerts.com Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, 14,490 boxing fans came out to witness Canelo Alvarez (531-2, 36 KOs) take on Sergey Kovalez (34-4-1) in his attempt to become the newest 4 Division World Champion. This fight was more challenging than anticipated for Canelo due to the height and reach of Kovalez. It was interesting to see how that size advantage would play out through the course of the title bout.

Interestingly enough the fight was delayed for the UFC match between Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz being held at Madison Square Garden. I’ve heard various rumors as to why the Canelo vs Diaz fight was delayed, though the best explanation was that DAZN and ESPN+ over booked their time slot and some fans of either app would’ve missed the fight they were looking to tune into. to mixed reviews, the fans in attendance of the Canelo vs Kovalez fight was forced to wait nearly 2 hours before their fight started.

Luckily, they did air the Masvidal vs Diaz fight in the MGM Grand Arena for us to enjoy during the wait.

However, I encountered mixed feelings on whether they should’ve delayed the fight for a competing fight across the country. Where I enjoyed being able to see the MMA, especially since they delayed the boxing match, other weren’t so pleased with the delay. I was not able to get a=feedback from either boxer on this delay.

Because of the delay the fight started after 10pm PST

and after the singing of three different National Anthems both fighters started somewhat sluggishly as you may have imagined. The size and arm length posed a problem for Canelo early and often. Kovalez used his jab relentlessly to effectively keep Canelo at a distance for many of the early rounds. Canelo kept his mind on the breaking down the bigger Kovalez by frequently going to the body with thunderous body shots. As he remained the aggressor throughout the fight trying to take the fight to Kovalez.

Though I had Canelo behind on my score card, I never thought Canelo would be given a loss, simply due to his status in Boxing. Just when this though popped in my head, Canelo caught Kovalez with a vicious left hook and then followed up with a right hook to the temple that crumpled up Kovalez in the 11th round. No standing * count was needed after that winning combination from Canelo, as Kovalez remained momentarily unresponsive after the knock down.

This win made Canelo the 25th Boxer in history to hold World Title in four different weight divisions and the second to win World Title in the Welterweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. This was a toughly contested fight up until the knockdown as Kovalez had done an excellent job avoiding the punch, and if it landed, he managed to escape danger.

“It was a very close fight because he was defensive, he

Canelo drops Kovalez in the 11th Round. (Tom Hogan Hoganphotos/ Golden Boy)

L.A. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon jumps over Green Bay Packers defensive back Chandon Sullivan during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3 in Carson. (Marcio Jose Sanchez)

was closing up his guard,” Canelo said. “All he was doing was trying to establish points, but we knew what was coming. Inevitably it would come, and everything came out the way we had planned. I’m very thankful. This is just a step in my career, in my history, and all I ask of you, is to be patient because Canelo will make history. That’s a guarantee.”

“The plan overall was patience, that was it - to have patience. We knew it was going to be five, six rounds and it was going to take some time for me to get him. But honestly, he’s a great fighter. I’m new at this weight, new in this division. Much credit to him, he’s a great fighter, but we stuck to our game plan. It was delayed a little bit but overall it was successful.”

“It was a very close fight because he was defensive, he was closing up his guard. All he was doing was trying to establish points, but we knew what was coming. Inevitably it would come, and everything came out the way we had planned.” When discussing his future, Canelo said this “the plan was to go down to 160, 165, but why not – maybe 175 again.”

“We have to see what happens. We have to do what’s best for us. We have to look for the best fights, the big

LA Chargers Shut Down the Green Bay Packers

Trojans Have Tough Loss

Continued from page A3

Head Coach Anthony Lynn made it clear that Shane Steichen would not be looking over his shoulder as he would be making the plays calls this week. After being asked what he thought about the job Shane Steichen did post-game, Coach Lynn responded by saying, “Shane did an outstanding job. Shane; he never has to look over his shoulder. He was aggressive when he needed to be aggressive and he did a good job of establishing the run when he had to.”

The 34-year-old Shane played an invaluable part of the offense getting going against the Packers on Sunday. As Mike Williams had his largest yardage input on the season, while the Running Back’s Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler combined for 150 yards rushing, which was the most yards gained on the ground to this point in this season. Coach Lynn responded by saying, “Shane did an outstanding job. Shane; he never has to look over his shoulder. He was aggressive when he needed to be aggressive and he did a good job of establishing the run when he had to.”

The Chargers take on their division rival Oakland Raiders in a short week of preparation in their final game at Ring Central Coliseum, formerly Oakland- Alameda County Stadium, as the Raider are set to be moving to Las Vegas next season. Please share your thoughts on the Chargers coaching changes and their upcoming game by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter at “Voice of the Fans” for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

fights, but give the victories to Mexico.” Canelo added this about a potential third fight with GGG: “It’s not a challenge to me. We’ve fought 24 rounds and I beat him.

It’s not a challenge for me, but if it represents business, why not?”

It will be interesting to see what weight division Canelo chooses to fight at next. WBC Middleweight (160 lbs.) Champion Jermall Charlo is waiting for him, WBC Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs.) David Benavidez is available and/ or IBF Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs.) Caleb Plant I’m sure would live to fight him. Additionally, Artur Betebiev the Light Heavyweight (175lbs.) Champion could be another option. Which fight would you like to see take on? Please share your thoughts on Canelo Alvarez and his options by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter at “Voice of the Fans” for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

USC Trojans wide receiver Tyler Vaughns #21 and Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland #8 try to grab a tipped pass at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer USC started off really well vs Oregon at the Coliseum.

The first two possession. They drove down the field and grabbed a 10-0 lead. Kedon Slovis hit Drake London for an 8 yard score and Chase McGrath connected on a 24 yard FG. Then the roof fell in as Slovis fumbled recovered by Oregon and that led to a 9 play 92 yard drive capped off by a Jaylon Reed 2 yard run.

The Trojan would beat themselves with three more turnovers and 8 penalties for 92 yards. That led to a 56-24 Ducks win.

“You can’t turn it over four times and have the penalties that we have and play that not clean of a football game and expect to win,” said Trojan Head Coach Clay Helton.

Ducks QB Justin Herbert finished the day 21 of 26 for 225 yards. Tray dye had 12 carries for 75 yards as the Ducks (8-1, 6-0 PAC 12 ) rolled up more 380 of offense.

Slovis finished completing 32 of 57 passes for 264 yards and 3 interceptions for the Trojans (5-4, 4-2 Pac 12).

Slovis surpassed Todd Marinavich single game record of 55 pass attempts.

Tyler Vaughns had 75 receiving yards on 8 receptions.

Trojans travel to ASU Saturday.

Greg Rousseau had five TFL last week to help the canes win over FSU. (Courtesy Photo)

Antonio Gipson had a record setting night for Memphis with 386 all-purpose yards in a 54-48 win over SMU. (Courtesy Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Walter Camp Football Foundation has honored one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week. This weeks winners Antonio Gibson of the Memphis Tigers and Greg Rousseau of the Miami Hurricanes.

Gibson set a school record with 386 all-purpose yards and scored touchdowns in three different ways (rushing, receiving, and kickoff return) as 24th-ranked Memphis defeated 15th-ranked SMU, 54-48. Gibson rushed for

arm and got out. So, shout out to (Taylor).”

The Senior WR from Stockbridge, Georgia also added a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Gibson is the 2nd Tiger to receive the award since 2004, the other was QB Riley Ferguson (Sept. 17, 2017) Rousseau a redshirt freshman from Coconut Creek Florida had eight tackles, including five for losses, and four quarterback sacks as Miami (Fla.) defeated ACC-rival Florida State, 27-10. Rousseau led a Hurricane defensive

Gibson, Rousseau-Walter Camp Award Winners 97 yards, including a 78-yard scoring run, and had 130 receiving yards, including a 50-yard scoring reception.

After the 78 yard run “I told Coxie the play before like, ‘Man, I’m trying to break one loose,’” Gibson said. “I slowed down on the zone and made my reads and I was one-on-one. (Patrick Taylor) kept telling me to put the ball in my outside hand – I guess I had the ball in my right hand – he said put the ball in my outside hand so I can stiff arm.“I put the ball in my outside hand and I used the stiff

unit that held the Seminoles to just 31 rushing yards. With the win, Miami improved to 5-4, 3-3 in the ACC. About the Award: This is the 16th year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.

Recipients are selected by a panel of national media members and administered by the Foundation.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

Entertainment

THE BLERD BINDER: HBOs Watchmen ’

My initial thoughts on the series premiere

Blurb: The Blerd Binder covers nerdy news for the Black nerds of the world. We welcome all as we talk about subjects ranging from Movies to Music and Tech to Toys. Today, we will be talking about the “Watchmen” premiere.

By Noah Washington (SPOILER ALERT! This article contains spoilers for the first episode of HBO’s “Watchmen.” Read ahead at your own risk.)

HBO’s Watchmen can be described very simply as a never-ending paradox.

A young Black Boy is watching a silent film in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921 with a Black lead, “Bass Reeves, The Black Marshall of Oklahoma.” In the film, the sheriff catches a cattle thief and when the mob wants to hang him, Bass Reeves says, “There will be no Mob Justice today.

Trust in the law.”

This is horribly ironic, since the young boy repeats these words amid the violent and horrible Tulsa Race Riot, a horrific event in American and human history.

The young boy is able to make it out in the back of a car in a trunk, but the car he is in crashes resulting in the death of his mother and the driver. The young boy finds a baby in the wreckage who is gender identified because she is covered in a pink blanket. The young boy says, “You’re ok,” while wrapping her in an American flag. The two then start to walk on the rural Tulsa road.

The irony was not lost on me when the dynamic seemed to shift from the powerless African Americans in Tulsa being massacred in the riot, to the (seemingly) all-powerful cop, Officer Charlie Sutton. This would be flipped on its head when Officer Sutton is shot by a white supremacist while he tries to retrieve his weapon.

In the world of “Watchmen,” the police must be authorized to use their weapons which are locked in their cop

cars. Police have to wear masks because criminals have been targeting them and their families.

Not long after the start of episode one, we see a reference to the musical, Oklahoma, being performed by an all-Black cast and referred to as Black Oklahoma.

When I think of Oklahoma (the musical), I think of it as representing what was truly “all-American” for the time that it was created. The all-American hero gets the girl, kills the bad guy and gets to be the big hero. This concept is as American as it gets, though I highly doubt that this series will have the same type of wholesome uncomplicated ending as Oklahoma did.

The reveal of Don Johnson’s character’s name, “Captain Jud,” was very good foreshadowing that sealed that character’s fate. At the end of the episode, another paradox is revealed as Don Johnson’s “Captain Judd Crawford” is seen hanging from a tree.

Another paradox is Angela’s (Regina King) relationship with her husband, Cal (Yahya Abdul-Mateen). Angela seems to be the dominant partner in the relationship. She works while her husband picks the kids up from school and cooks the family meals. Angela even seems to be dominant in their sexual relationship. She is even the one who goes out and kicks criminal but as a vigilante.

The series also makes a commentary on the superhero movie renaissance and the global obsession with superhero culture by giving us teasers for “American Hero Story,” a TV event chronicling the adventures for the original

HBO’s Watchmen is a commentary on the superhero movie renaissance and the global obsession with superhero culture.

“WATCHMEN” comic book characters, “The Minutemen.”

Watchmen contains easter eggs from the original Watchmen comic: President Robert Redford, Nixon as one of the greatest presidents, and squids raining from the sky (there is even a cleanup crew).

There are many more questions that the series premiere

sets up that need to be answered: “Who truly killed Captain Jud?” “Who was the baby that the young boy found at the beginning of the episode?” “What is Jeremey Irons’ Ozymandias up to?” and “Will we see Doctor Manhattan?”

For as much promise this show presents, we will certainly be “watching the Watchmen.”

Reality TV — The Respectable and the Ratchet “These shows draw large audiences because some showcase professional Black women and the triumphs and struggles we all experience daily. They highlight the iconic ‘Black Girl Magic’ that makes the whole world interested in what we are doing. The cat fighting and mean girl behavior definitely add to the entertainment value. I also love the way Black family life is highlighted on both of these shows (RHOA and Married to Medicine),” says Reality show viewer Miranda Solomon.

By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. Much to the chagrin of some media critics, scholars and television fans, reality television is here to say. Colloquially referred to as “ratchet tv,” reality television is loved and loathed often by the same fan base who like or detest the genre for the same reasons.

Some of the reality shows, particularly those with all-women and all-black casts, have become synonymous with promoting the worst of women’s behavior with constant bickering, physical fighting, back stabbing, pettiness, anger and mean-spiritedness put on full display.

Many believe the shows highlight the most stereotypical behavior of women in general and black women in particular. Others enjoy the genre as an escape from the reality of their everyday lives and appreciate the entrepreneurial endeavors of the women on the shows, sometimes resulting in spin-offs like Vanderpump Rules and retail businesses owned by members of the casts of RHOA, RHONY, RHOP and Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta.

Whether network or cable television programs, reality television shows garner some of the highest ratings in broadcast and cable television.

Season 12 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) returns to television Sunday, November 3 and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills made history by adding actress Garcelle Beauvais to the cast, making the former model the first Black woman on that particular franchise.

Married to Medicine’s programming day has been changed multiple times; yet and still their fans continue to find them and bring new fans with them along the way.

There’s an old adage that says you should never discuss politics or religion in polite company. Perhaps another category should be added? Reality television.

If you want to hear a heated debate, then bring up reality television in any number of settings and a range of responses and emotions will surface. Some live for the genre, while others despise the television category which is broad enough to include Cops, The Bachelor, The Masked Singer, Dog The Bounty Hunter, 90 Day Fiancé, Say Yes to the Dress, House Hunters, RHOA, Chopped and a host of other reality shows.

Reality shows continuously rank high on ratings lists; reality shows featuring women casts and all black casts continuously rank high on cable ratings lists.

Not only are the shows popular on television, they spawn other streams of revenue for reality show stars.

Cookbooks, restaurants, clothing stores, fitness videos, weight-loss products, ear buds and the like are being hawked by cast members of these shows.

Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel built a multi-million-dollar empire with her Skinnygirl lifestyle brand. RHOP stars Gizelle Bryant and Karen Huger launched a make-up line and fragrance over the last three seasons. While RHOA’s Kandi Burress, who was already successful in music prior to being cast on RHOA, has morphed into a successful entrepreneur in online retail and restaurants.

RHOA’s NeNe Leakes has jettisoned to mainstream popularity, having starred on two network television series, other reality shows, performed on Broadway and is currently pursuing a career in stand-up comedy, among other businesses.

Model turned RHOA reality star Cynthia Bailey opened a modeling company and lunched a sunglass line.

Cardi B launched herself musically into the stratosphere from her journey on Love and Hip-Hop New York to the 2017 cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, relegating rock legend Fats Domino to a corner mention, en route to becoming rap music royalty.

It’s not just the women on these shows who are winning financially, but also the men. The Apprentice’s Bill Rancic sold his cigar company for millions to Synergy Brands, remained on the board of directors and continues to broker million-dollar deals.

Recently, Love and Hip-Hop Hollywood’s Ray J closed a $31 million deal securing the launch of his new electronics transportation brand Raycon.

Reality stars like K. Michelle, Huger (RHOP), Leakes, Shooter Gates (LHHA) also use their platforms to highlight important issues like domestic violence, rape and gun control. While reality television shows featuring primarily all-women casts are problematic, it is difficult to dismiss them and the genre itself with their consistent ratings, successful brands and businesses.

In fact, reality television shows, became so popular with women audiences in the early 2000s, they displaced legendary soap operas like All My Children and One Life to Live, both of which had been on-air for more than forty years each at the time of cancellation (2011).

Reality television mimicked the narrative and stylistic

elements of soap operas, but with far less production costs.

For example, even though 90 Day Fiancé is a popular reality show on TLC, reportedly, each couple gets $1000 to $1500 per episode, with some cast members starting GoFundMe pages to ask for help with bills.

The Bachelorette (ABC) earns $250,000 per season, while some Teen Mom’s (MTV) like Catelyn Lowell earn $500,000 per season. As for the Real Housewives franchise (BRAVO), the beginning salary per season started off at $7,250 for the entire season of season 1 of Real Housewives of New York.

New reports claim Bethany Frankel made upwards of $1.5 million per season for her last turn on RHON, while Lisa Vanderpump (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and Nene Leaks (RHOA) make up to $2.7 million per season. It is estimated that Kim Kardashian rakes in $7 million per season for Keeping Up the Kardashians.

While it is easy to assume that reality stars are making that kind of money, the vast majority are not, particularly on women cast shows whose re-runs dominate daytime television programming and new episodes strike ratings gold for primetime audiences.

Most reality shows of this type – women cast housewives shows – are filmed with three to five crew members on location, unlike soap operas which were historically filmed on set, with scores of crew members and star salaries that were in the millions of dollars.

The lower production costs of reality shows including crew and star salaries coupled with the rise of social media giants Facebook and Twitter brought the reign of daytime soap operas to a screeching halt.

While many want to get rid of what some call “Trash TV,” reality television is here to stay, if for nothing else – high return on investment in the form of advertising and viewership relative to the low cost of production and distribution.

Reality show executive producers Andy Cohen, Mona Scott Young and Carlos King understand the business model and know it is good business to produce problematic reality shows. Despite the outcry on social media about the danger of reality television, the popularity of reality shows with audiences challenges the presumption that ratchet television is bad for the culture.

Dr. Mark Cunningham, Professor of Black Popular Culture at Austin Community College, thinks the critique is wrapped in respectability politics. “What we see on these shows falls under everything we discuss in other contexts as stereotyping: self- absorption, hypersexuality, over-indulgence, superficiality, hyper masculinity and so forth, he offers. I don’t buy into these critiques of the shows being worthless although I do recognize that there is some truth to the critiques in terms of the stereotypical behaviors of those on the shows. People need to understand this is just one example of black life. This is not all of black life.”

The reality shows with black women casts do represent the worst of what folks have to say about black people, but they also fill the desire for black people in general and black women specifically to be seen on television.

Dr. Alfred L. Martin, Jr. Assistant Professor of media studies in the departments of Communication Studies and African American Studies at the University of Iowa states, “These shows emerged at a time when black women were pretty non-existent within mainstream media. So, on one hand, they were feeding an unsatiated appetite for black female representation. On the other hand, these representations emerge in a post-network environment where networks are seeking modes of differentiation in an ever more crowded television landscape,” Martin offers.

“At the same time, these representations are complicated in the ways they mix the respectable and the ratchet.

So, in a way, they break from ‘Saint’ Claire Huxtable who did not have a ‘negative’ bone in her representational body.

These black female reality TV characters — and they are characters versus necessarily being their “real” selves --are far more complex,” Dr. Martin adds.

It is impossible to dismiss the large audiences in general and women of color they draw despite the chorus of naysayers who believe the stereotypes bring more harm than good by playing into the “angry woman” stereotype among others.

Reality show viewer Miranda Solomon has diverse reasons for watching the shows. “Specifically, I watch Love and Listings because I sell real estate and am interested in seeing a show that is entirely focused on people of color doing what I do for a living. I also watch Basketball Wives, Love and Hip Hop (all cities), Real Housewives of ATL and Married to Medicine. I watch each of these shows as a mindless indulgence. Each of these shows provides just the right about of reality escape for me,” says Solomon who also sees the reality in the show despite the cattiness.

“These shows draw large audiences because some showcase professional Black women and the triumphs and struggles we all experience daily. They highlight the iconic ‘Black Girl Magic’ that makes the whole world interested in what we are doing. The cat fighting and mean girl behavior definitely add to the entertainment value. I also love the way Black family life is highlighted on both of these shows (RHOA and Married to Medicine).”

When asked about the negative images perpetuated by both shows and the criticism the show receives because of these images, Solomon offers, “If you’re only watching the cattiness and the fighting, then it is easy to have that opinion. I actually follow the story lines of the characters. I find the characters’ family lives intriguing and, in many cases, endearing. I wonder if the critique is the same for White reality shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette?”

Dr. Martin speaks to Solomon’s concerns. “At base, that sort of critique is rooted in a racialized and racist understanding of blackness. White folks get to consume all sorts of garbage and their consumption is often bound within ‘ironic’ stances toward the ‘bad object’ or general notions of kitsch and camp. When black folks consume ‘bad objects’ it is understood as endemic of our lack of taste, class and education. Of course, that goes back to Stuart Hall’s conceptualization of the function of the stereotype: to fix, essentialize, reduce and naturalize blackness as inherently inferior and ‘othered.’”

Therein lies the rub. Why is it that in a reality genre that is teeming with shows ranging from tow truck operators to police officers to college kids sharing a house together to dance teams and the lives of little people, are so many bothered by the black cast reality shows? It is possible to realize that much of what you are watching is problematic and find some sense of pleasure in the show despite

the problematic images? Is Rachel Lindsay, the first black Bachelorette, any worse than the twenty “Bachelorettes” that came before her?

Some television viewers like Donna White, who rarely watches black cast reality television shows because of the problematic images of black people, understands why people want to see these images and believes the cast members should have the opportunity to use their platform to develop and grow their businesses.

However, White, who jokingly refers to herself as a “bean bag culture critic” is still bothered by the representation of black people on these shows. “Reality shows often perpetuate and reinforce stereotypes about black love, relationships, and how black people act and what is important to us. Black folks are dynamic and multidimensional people, but that is rarely captured on most reality shows,” she says.

When asked what it take for her to watch more black reality shows, White states “I would have to see the formula change. I don’t want to see black women always fighting each other. I don’t want to see black men with problematic lives juggling multiple women,” she says.

When asked what type of show she would like to see, White offers, “I’d like to see something with travel and adventure. What I want to see won’t sell and won’t garner the large audiences,” she says making a sobering observation of the realities of black cast reality television shows.

Is there room for more diverse representations of blacks on reality television shows? More importantly, if the formula changed as White would prefer, will audiences watch these new types of reality shows with the same fervor as “ratchet” reality shows? Does it have to come down to the respectable and the ratchet or is there something in between?

Hidden Figure Subject Katherine Johnson 101 ‘

Johnson’s computations have influenced every major space program from Mercury through the Shuttle program. Johnson was hired as a research mathematician at the Langley Research Center with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the agency that preceded NASA, after they opened hiring to African-Americans and women.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent Katherine Johnson, one of the African American women whose stories received global attention in the best-selling book and blockbuster movie, “Hidden Figures,” has turned 101.

The renowned mathematician was instrumental in Alan Shepherd’s 1961 journey to space. She also played a pivotal role in John Glenn becoming the first American to successfully orbit Earth one year after Shepherd’s flight.

Johnson will also receive a Congressional Gold Medal thanks to a bipartisan bill passed by Congress earlier this month.

All four of the heroines depicted in “Hidden Figures” will receive recognition. In addition to Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson will also receive medals. Vaughn’s and Jackson’s medals will be presented posthumously.

The book, “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race,” by Margot Lee Shetterly, helped tell the women’s story.

“Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jack-

’

son, and Dr. Christine Darden made monumental contributions to science and our nation,” said Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said in a statement.

Harris and five other members of Congress introduced legislation to secure Congressional Gold Medals for Johnson and her colleagues.

“The groundbreaking accomplishments of these four women and all of the women who contributed to the success of NASA helped us win the space race but remained in the dark far too long,” Harris stated.

“I am proud our bill to honor these remarkable women has passed Congress. These pioneers remain a beacon for Black women across the country, both young and old.”

The honor isn’t the only one for Johnson. Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) agreed this month to rename its 7000 Columbia Gateway Drive building in Columbia, Maryland, the Katherine G. Johnson Building.

A plaque will be placed at DreamPort’s 7000 Columbia Gateway Drive entrance commemorating the naming of the building in honor of Mrs. Johnson and her legendary accomplishments as a NASA mathematician and her essential role in the space program, according to a news release. At 101 years of age, Mrs. Johnson is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, multiple NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement awards, and many others.

In addition to the recognition by COPT, Johnson has other buildings, schools, and libraries named after her.

In an earlier interview, Johnson told NNPA Newswire that she missed working.

“I’d go back now,” she said.

After leaving her teaching job in 1953, Johnson began working for NASA and was able to calculate the trajectory for numerous space missions, including for the space flight of Alan Shephard, the first American in space and the path for the famed 1968 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.

“I’d do them over if I had to. I’d do anything for anyone,” Johnson stated.

At an early age, Johnson developed enviable math skills so much so that even NASA officials wrote a story about her titled, “The girl who loved to count.”

“I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to the church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed anything that could be counted, I did,” Johnson said.

“I entered college; I was 15. I was going to be a math teacher because that was it. You could be a math teacher or a nurse, but I was told I would make a good research mathematician and they had me take all of the courses in the catalog,” she stated.

When Glenn went to the Moon, Johnson said her “Hidden Figures” crew acted as the computer for the mission. Calculating everything involved in the flight became like a geometry problem, Johnson recalled.

“I felt most proud of the success of the Apollo mission.

We had to determine so much. Where you were, where the Moon would be and how fast the astronauts were going,” Johnson stated. “We were really concerned, but the astronaut had to do it just as we laid it out. I was looking at the television and hoping that we’re right.”

A6

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Local

Los Caciques Del Caribe (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera-1 (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Día de Los Muertos Celebrated at MOLAA

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Long Beach- The Museum of Latin American Art hosted its annual Día de Los Muertos event, Sunday, November 3, 2019, from 10:00am-5pm.

Día de Los Muertos celebrations highlights the cycles of life, while remembering deceased loved ones with alters. Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died and helping support their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of human cycle.

MOLAA’s annual family festival invited the community to explore Día de Los Muertos, a vibrant celebration of life and loved ones. Attendees left the program with a greater understanding and awareness of this cultural tradition through inter-active workshops, live performances, gallery tours, an interactive community alter, face painting, food and unique artisan vendors.

I must say that I was impressed with MOLAA’s annual Día de Los Muertos event. This was a magnificent production that thoroughly engaged, entertained and informed the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic crowd in attendance.

The day got underway with an Aztec Ceremony lead by Kalpulli Tlaltekuhtli Aztec Dancers. The Día de Los Muertos also featured Prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have dies. MOLAA’s Día de Los Muertos also celebrated the future full of dreams and hopes of children. Children’s and their parents of Semillitas PreSchool participated in a spirit filled Procession from Robert Gumbiner Park to MOLAA with Kalpulli Tlaltekuhtli Aztec Dancers.

MOLAA’s Viva Event Center was brimming with lots of activities, arts workshops, Sugar Skull decorating, Face paintings, while DJ Eusebio Akasa provided an eclectic soundtrack to enhance the experience. Additional activities consisted of Docent led tours of the Galleries, children’s story time with the Long Beach Library, Hyundai booth with a variety of exciting giveaways.

MOLAA’s Sculpture Garden featured some amazing performances. The caliber of entertainment was top notched and simply awesome.

The show kicked off with a dual bill of LA Opera’s Zarzuela Project with Mariachi Voz de America.

Mariachi Voz de America and The Mariachi Conservatory is under the Direction of Richard Mata. Mariachi Voz de

America performed classic tunes by famous composers “Pasodoble” from El Gato Montes composed by Manuel Penella (1880-1939), “Granada” by Augustine Lara (18971970) performed superbly by Richard Mata, baritone. The show continued with “La Negra” by Silvestre Vargas (19011985) and Ruben Fuentes (1926-) followed by an original huapango entitled “La Noche.”

La Opera Zarzuela Project alternated between performances by Mariachi Voz de America. Their brilliant program opened with an uplifting “Ya Mis Horas Felices” from La del Soto del Parral performed by Abdiel Gonzalez, baritone, Teaching Artist, LA Opera Zarzuela Project. The show continued with De Espana Vengo’ from El Nino Judio, song masterfully by Melodee Fernandez, soprano, Director and Lead Teaching Artist, LA Opera Zarzuela Project. The crowd and I sat in awe and appreciation of each performance including “Seguidilla” from La Verbena de La Paloma, “Largo al Factotum” from II Barbiere di Siviglia, “La Petenera” from La Marchenera, performed

by Melodee Fernandez, soprano. The finale consisted of “Pasodoble” from La Boda de Luis Alonso, featuring AnaLupe Morado-dancer, Caroline Russek- castanets, and Mariachi Voz de America. Pianist Vivian Liu was stellar as

an accompanist throughout the program.

Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera was founded

by Miriam Lopez and Raul Cortes on October 2, 1999 in the city of Los Angeles. Mr. Cortes is Executive Director, Miriam Lopez-Artistic Director. Its mission is to preserve and promote the traditional music and dances of Oaxaca in Los Angeles. This year marks their 20th Anniversary with captivating performances of indigenous dances representing the seven regions of Oaxaca. Their spectacular performance Grand Finale consisted of the wonderful “Flor de Piña.”

Oaxaca is a multiethnic culture that is recognized for its authenticity. 300 years of history, tradition and cultural heritage make Oaxaca a magical place.

Marqueos Music Philharmonic Band directed by Estanislao Marqueos accompanied Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera. This tremendously talented band consist of band members ranging in age from five to 20 years old.

The band enjoys widespread prestige throughout the music industry.

MOLAA’s Día de Los Muertos celebration concluded with the contagious sounds of cumbia, merengue and vallenato performed jubilantly by Los Caciques Del Caribe.

New Los Angeles County Voting System Previewed at Rep Maxine Waters’ Forum First in a Series of Educational Meetings on LA County Voting System as a Part of ‘For the People’ Agenda

LOS ANGELES – On Saturday, November 2, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) conducted the first in a series of educational meetings that she will host throughout the 43rd District with local elected officials, the leadership of community and civic organizations, and her constituents in order to increase awareness and understanding of the new Los Angeles County Voting System.

The new voting system, which will be implemented in 2020, will replace the approximately 5000 traditional neighborhood polling places with 1000 new “voting centers;” extend the voting period to 11 days at select locations; create electronic rosters that enable same-day registration; utilize new, high-tech touch screen voting machines; and provide trained voting center staff to assist all voters, including those with disabilities and those who may need language assistance.

Congresswoman Waters’ meeting was held at

El Camino College in Torrance as a part of House Democrats’ “For the People” agenda, which protects voting rights, improves access to the ballot box, and ensures the security of all U.S. elections. The meeting featured a presentation by Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk, Dean C. Logan, who demonstrated the new voting machines, explained how and where they will be used, and answered questions from leaders across the 43rd District, which included representatives from the Gardena and Hawthorne city councils, the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce, the Torrance League of Women Voters, the Torrance Democratic Club, the South Los Angeles Jack and Jill, and the Second Time Around Seniors Club.

“With threats of foreign interference and voter suppression in our elections, I can think of nothing more critical than our citizenry being fully informed and secure with our voting systems. It is imperative that our

community leaders are spreading the word and educating their constituencies about the new voting system in order to ensure that no voter is discouraged from participating due to a lack of knowledge or confidence in Los Angeles County’s new voting system,” said Congresswoman Waters.

During the meeting, community leaders had the opportunity to interact with the new voting machines and raise concerns with Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Logan, particularly surrounding the replacement of many traditional neighborhood polling places with new “voting centers” that may be beyond the reach of many communities, and the risk of the new, untested election

software failing to accurately count all votes or capture errors.

In her closing remarks, Congresswoman Waters thanked Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Logan for his participation in the meeting. She also announced that she would be holding additional community meetings throughout the 43rd District on the new voting system, and encouraged community leaders and local residents to assist with providing the “educational outreach necessary to penetrate our communities with information about this new voting system.”

Get the Los Angeles News Observer Online at www.

OGNSC.COM Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

The Census is recruiting now due to the process of getting future employees through training and other screening processes.

US Census Bureau is Hiring Working for the census will allow you to help out your community and earn money at the same time. The U.S. Census helps determine each state’s representation in Congress, how funds are spent for schools, hospitals, and roads, and provides information to guide many decisions made by government agencies, private businesses and institutions.

It’s time for that once-every-10-years job opportunity!

If you are looking to earn extra income for your household, you may want to consider becoming a U.S. Census worker. To prepare for the 2020 census, the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring thousands of recruits to work temporary jobs across the nation.

Working for the census will allow you to help out your community and earn money at the same time. The U.S. Census helps determine each state’s representation in Congress, how funds are spent for schools, hospitals, and roads, and provides information to guide many decisions made by government agencies, private businesses and institutions.

Jobs within the census vary from working in the field canvassing, updating maps, doing follow-up interviews with citizens in your community, or working in an office as a clerk doing administrative tasks or office operation supervisor who oversees the field staff.

The Census is recruiting now due to the process of getting future employees through training and other screening processes. The majority of these jobs begin on April 1, 2020 and end in December of 2020.

To be able to work for the census you must: Be 18 years old Have a valid Social Security number Be U.S. Citizen Complete an application and answer assessment questions • Register with the Selective Service System • Pass a Census-performed criminal background check • Commit to completing training • Be available to work flexible hours Many older Americans take on Census jobs after formal retirement from a full-time career.

But if you already have a job, you can still work for the Census. Your current job cannot clash with the hours you work for the Census or create any conflicts of interest.

If you’re a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S military, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference.

Get more information about becoming a census worker, or apply here by scanning of this stories picture using your “Observer Interactive” App. • • • •