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He v is re ited the bo ngth. that if he se bcaof t othe it agaitriple-double closed out the week with hisesninth n Friday. n, he’ll issu

By Earl Heath e a tick season, finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11et fo Contributing Sports Writer assists versus the Pistons. His nine triple-doubles are the r ja There has been a lot of division in this great country most by a Lakers player in a single season since Earvin the past few years. It seems that when things appear so bad “Magic” Johnson had 13 in 1990-91. people are unsure where to turn.

The league leader in total assists and assists per During the Pre-Game, Big-12 Referee Brandon Cruse (R) is joined at midfield by Grand Marshals (L to R) Lau“Power of Hope” being this years Tournament of Roses game, James continues to own an NBA-record 63 career rie Hernandez, Gina Torres, and Rita Moreno who did the coin flip. (Earl Heath Photo) theme came along at just the right time. It’s the beginning weekly awards. It is his second career Western Conferof a New Year and you have a trio of Grand Marshalls that ence Player of the Week selection, last earning the honor have had an impact in many of our lives. on Dec. 15, 2019.

“With “The Power of Hope” we can aspire to do better and inspire others to reach higher; hope never quits; with hope anything, in fact everything is possible,” said Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber.

The TOR has a Latin theme and there is no one greater than Rita Moreno to be part of some special.

Moreno is only one of 14 people to receive the E.G.O.T. award, which are an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Her career spanned more than six decades while starting on Broadway at the age of 13. She has received the NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) – Two black-owned radio Kennedy Center honor for her contribution to American stations that broadcast in southwest Mississippi and culture. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of central Louisiana are in the process of being sold to anFreedom by President George W. Bush and the National other African American businessperson.

Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.

Diana Nutter of Natchez is one of the current ownShe even was at midfield and tossed the coin for the ers of WMIS-1240 AM and WTYJ-97.7 FM. She told Rose Bowl game which matched up Oregon vs. Wisconsin. the Natchez Democrat that her family has a nearly 80Gina Torres is well-known for her roles on Suits, year history of being the voice of the black community Alias, Firefly, and Westworld. The New York native is part in the area. She said the stations are most widely used of a close-knit Cuban family and raised in the Bronx. The to broadcast local announcements and gospel and R&B day before the parade she felt the goose bumps. “I can’t music. wait,” said Torres. “It’s the ride of a lifetime.” She and her Nutter said she hopes to leave a legacy that will daughter rode in the car down Colorado Blvd. continue under new management after the sale of the Laurie Hernandez earned Olympic Gold and Silver radio stations is complete. medals as a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s The buyer is Gregory Adams, a military veteran Gymnastics Team. Laurie is a second generation American, who has owned the Wilk-Amite Record newspaper since her grandparents are Puerto Rican, making her the first 2014.

U.S. born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984. She The buyout of the Natchez-based stations awaits also was champion of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars”. approval of the Federal Communications Commission, She down the 5 mile course with her sister sitting next to which is a 90-day process with a little more than 40 days her. left, Adams said.

President Farber commented on the theme. “Of the Nutter said her father, P.K. Ewing Jr., and grandfa2020 Grand Marshals (L to R): Laurie Hernandez, Rita Moreno and Gina Torres (Photo - Courtesy Tourna- one hundred and thirty years of this event, the word “hope” ther, P.K. Ewing Sr., went live on the air with WMIS in has never been used in any of the themes.” ment of Roses) May 1941 and had stations in four Mississippi cities _ Gulfport, Vicksburg, Jackson and Greenwood.

Diana and Jim Nutter later bought WTYJ when it was off the air and brought it back in September 1986.

“The business has been in my family since it was built,’’ Nutter said. “I’ve worked other jobs but ended up right back here. Now I’m 81 and still work every day. . I plan on staying and working part-time.’’ those lower prices to Americans with private insurance funding boost to community health centers, which serve too. “This is an important step toward providing Amer- 28 million Americans in communities across the United ican consumers more accessible and affordable prescrip- States, including over 350,000 veterans, 8 million chiltion drugs,” Congressman Clyburn said. “In the United dren, and 1.4 million homeless patients.

States, our drug prices are nearly four times higher than This $10 billion includes $5 billion for capital im‘ in similar countries, and this legislation will provide real provements and construction to expand the footprint of price reductions that will put significant money back in community health centers and an additional $5 billion the pocket of consumers.” in funding over the next five years for community health ’ Negotiating lower prescription drug prices has the center grants, allowing them to serve more people, inadded benefit of cost savings to American taxpayers. A cluding Americans living in rural areas, where half of the PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An African American portion of those savings will be reinvested in the National Centers are located. woman who says she was required to sign a ‘’no party Institutes of Health to research new cures and treatments.

“Providing robust funding to build on the success policy’’ when she checked into her Portland hotel filed Cost savings will also support an expansion of Medicare of community health centers is critically important to U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn hailed a $300,000 lawsuit Monday against the Marriott chain, benefits to cover dental, vision, and hearing needs and providing quality health care in hard-to-reach commuHouse passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings claiming it singled her out because of her race. sets a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug nities,” Congressman Clyburn continued.

“In my district Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Felicia Gonzacosts for those on Medicare. alone, where three rural hospitals have closed, there are WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Majority les claims the front desk clerk at the Residence Inn by In addition, cost savings will be used to fund pro- eight federally-funded community health centers workWhip James E. Clyburn hailed House passage of H.R. visions of Congressman Clyburn’s H.R. 1943 – Com- ing to serve almost 190,000 patients.” H.R. 3 passed the Marriott Portland Downtown/Convention Center told 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. munity Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Ex- House on a bipartisan vote, 230-192, and was sent to the her that all guests had to sign the policy. But Gonzales This landmark legislation gives Medicare the power to pansion Act of 2019. H.R. 3 will provide a $10 billion Senate for consideration. says she watched white guests check in after her who negotiate directly with drug companies and extends weren’t required to sign the policy, according to the lawsuit.

Marriott spokesman Jeff Flaherty says the company doesn’t comment on pending lawsuits.

The two-page no party policy, provided by Gonzales’ attorneys, says it was established to inform all guests of noise limits and “not to insinuate any distrust in the `average’ guest.’’ Gonzales’ suit seeks $300,000 for embarrassment, frustration, humiliation and “feelings of

By Stacy M. Brown His congressional accomplishments and living legacy funding to fight malaria in West Africa. racial stigmatization.’’ The suit also says it could later be NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent are noteworthy, including: • Sponsored Africa growth and opportunity legislation. amended to add $1 million in punitive damages.

Washington, DC — On January 6, 2020, the Black • Helped Black farmers get some justice “We’ve done a lot as African Americans,” Watts statThe suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit News Channel (BNC) will become the nation’s only 24on a discrimination suit against ed before referencing a recent statue unveiling that took Court. hour news and information television network focused the United States Department place in Richmond, Virginia, earlier this month. “Rumors primarily on African Americans. The historic launch of of Agriculture. of War,” a statue by artist Kehinde Wiley, was unveiled on the BNC will fulfill the business dream and vision of • Helped push through legisla- December 10 during a ceremony at the Virginia Museum J.C. Watts, Jr., a nationally known entrepreneur and tion for the African American of Fine Arts. The figure depicts an African American man former U.S. Congressman, Representing Oklahoma’s Museum of History and Cul- dressed in contemporary clothing riding a horse, echoing Fourth District. ture. the equestrian sculptures of Confederate soldiers.

Programming will include special news fea• Sponsored HBCU summits “Rumors of War” was reportedly Wiley’s response to tures on topics that most affect the quality of life of to establish relationships the Confederate monuments that pepper the U.S. and communities of color – like Sickle Cell Disease and and better understanding the South in particular. The new memorial arrived amid hypertension – that generally aren’t given much atbetween students and Re- an ongoing debate across the country about what do with tention to by other news outlets. The BNC has also publican policymakers.

Confederate imagery. “This was history,” Watts said of the CHICAGO (AP) – Bankrupt Johnson Publishing established a news-content alliance with the Na• Sponsored anti-poverty legis- statue. “Because, if we talk about the slave owner, how can Co., the former owner of Ebony and Jet magazines, will tional Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), lation (community renewal/ we ignore the slave? African Americans contributed mightsell off art that once decorated the company’s Chicago representing the Black Press of America, via 225 Afrinew markets tax credits). ily to the United States, and you don’t see enough statues headquarters. can American-owned newspapers and digital compa • Led Congress in highlighting of African Americans.”

Among the art to be auctioned Jan. 30 at a New nies throughout the United States. minority health care dispari“Think about what Rosa Parks contributed, Harriet York gallery will be paintings, sculptures and other The Tallahassee, Florida-based BNC counts as the ties.

Tubman’s sacrifice, Martin Luther King’s sacrifice, and works from 75 African American artists. Among the brainchild of J.C. Watts, Jr., who is described by Tom• Led on the Republican side Frederick Douglass. Their contribution was to raise the pieces is a painting by Carrie Mae Weems that chronmy Ross, the network’s director of communications, as “a against sentencing dis- conscious level of America to say that you know, we are icles the migration from the south of thousands of Affather, husband, grandfather, business owner, entrepreparities between all human and, and all created by the same God,” Watts rican Americans seeking to escape Jim Crow laws and neur, author, elected official at the state and federal c r a c k / p ow d e r emphasized. anti-black violence. level, a pastor, and a rancher who grew up in a cocaine.

He said the BNC would highlight the contributions Johnson Publishing filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy small town in Oklahoma.”

• Led in get- of African Americans. And, to successfully accomplish that protection in April, citing debts and unsuccessful atIn reality, Watts appears as much t i n g mission, Watts said it was essential to partner with NNPA. tempts to restructure or sell the company. more, and those who know him, under“NNPA already has people in the trenches that report In a July bankruptcy auction, Johnson Publishing stand that he’s a Republican conservaon African American life, whether it’s Chicago, Atlanta, sold its Ebony photo archives to a consortium of fountive whose accomplishments crosses Birmingham, Detroit or Oklahoma City, they report on The historic launch of the BNC will fulfill dations for $30 million. Its Fashion Fair Cosmetics busiparty lines. Watts is also a former African American life every day,” Watts stated. “I don’t the business dream and vision of a naness was sold in December for $1.85 million.

All-Star quarterback who played know if I can put into words how important that partnertionally known entrepreneur and former In 2016, Ebony and Jet were sold to Clear View college football in Oklahoma and ship will be, and that’s just in terms of content.

When I Oklahoma Representative to the United Group, a Texas equity firm. pro ball in Canada. was in politics, we used a strategy where you’ve got people

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States Congress, J.C. Watts, Jr.

Continued on page A2

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 9, 2020

World & Nation

Black News Channel Fulfills Man’s Dream

Continued from page A1

knocking on doors and leaving literature, and that’s your ground game,” Watts continued.

“But you also need an air attack to augment that ground game, so with NNPA being on the ground and giving us information and data, and us being able to launch an air attack, it’s critical,” he stated.

Watts believes that a significant component of the BNC is providing knowledge to a community that’s starved for information.

“Our viewers will be able to find out more about Sickle Cell and Black men and Black women’s health,” Watts stated. “They will also be reminded that Black history isn’t just about Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, which was extremely important, but it isn’t the only part of our history. We are going to take a deeper dive and have a deeper relationship with our community.”

Watts’s background as a Republican and a conservative has often been a topic of both his supporters and detractors. However, Watts refuses to allow stereotypes and presumptions to define him.

“Conservative means many things to different people.

To me, it means living the way my grandmama taught me,” Watts stated. “She taught me to treat people the way that I want to be treated. In a Black home, you rarely saw people leaving their lights on at night because grandmama taught that it was a waste of electricity. If the lights were on, you knew that something pretty serious was happening.”

Watts continued: “The bottom line about being a conservative is that you treat people with respect, and you don’t believe in wasting things. That’s important. And, another primary place that I get my conservative values is the Bible. I was thought that I shouldn’t just be concerned about Oklahoma University, my alma mater, but I should also be concerned about Morehouse. That’s why I sponsored anti-poverty legislation because sometimes you have to put extra resources into different communities to give them the

infrastructure to attract industry and jobs.”

“My biblical principles drove me much more than the Republican party. Look, the National Football League recognized that having successful teams in every market would benefit everyone, and that’s why the team with the worst record gets the top pick in the draft. They know that if the Cincinnati Bengals perform better, everybody wins because you would have more advertising and a better television contract for everyone. So, I feel the same way about underserved communities. If we can help them to be stronger and create more opportunities within those communities, then that’s good for all communities.”

Conservative values also sparked Watts’s desire for criminal justice reform, he stated.

“When I talk about conservative principles, you know you don’t waste money,” Watts stated. “So, why should we spend $28,000 a year to incarcerate someone for a low-level, nonviolent drug offense?

“You can spend significantly less on community service. And, when you look at the facts, the sentencing disparities were big. People on Wall Street were using powder cocaine just like people on Main Street, or people in poor communities, but the sentencing disparities were off the charts. I voted my conscience when on this when I was in Congress,” Watts stated.

With the launch of the BNC just only weeks away, Watts hopes that viewers will get a similar feeling to what he experienced after recently taking his daughter to dinner to celebrate her birthday.

“My daughter recommended the restaurant, I’d never been there before,” Watts stated, “After dinner, she asked me what did I think of the restaurant? I said, ‘I’d come back to tomorrow. And I think that’s our mission with the BNC, not just to grab the imagination and the attention of the nation, but especially our demographic and to have them come back. I think it’ll be a mission accomplished.”

Report: California HUD Seeks to Cops are More Likely Roll Back Housing to Stop Black Drivers

Desegregation

By JULIET LINDERMAN and HOPE YEN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Trump administration took steps Tuesday to roll back an Obama-era rule intended to ensure that communities confront and address racial segregation in housing, saying local governments have been overburdened by the requirements.

The proposed Department of Housing and Urban Development rule would redefine fair housing standards to place more emphasis on improving housing choice rather than reducing discrimination. It would reduce regulatory burdens and eliminate the assessment tool used to map racial segregation under the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule.

According to HUD, simplifying the process for cities to meet fair housing requirements would help them meet their civil rights obligations. But housing advocates caution the plan would substantially weaken fair housing enforcement, leading to a resurgence of racial segregation across the country.

“This proposal would dismantle efforts to combat ongoing racial segregation in the housing market and effectively allow jurisdictions free rein to discriminate without consequences,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Housing Secretary Ben Carson, who previously criticized President Barack Obama's fair housing rule as “social engineering,” said the new rule would give people more affordable housing options in communities nationwide.

“Mayors know their communities best, so we are empowering them to make housing decisions that meet their unique needs, not a mandate from the federal government,'' Carson said. “If a community fails to improve housing choice, HUD stands ready to enforce the Fair Housing Act and pursue action against any party that violates the law.

The 2015 fair housing rule, put in place to strengthen enforcement of the landmark Fair Housing Act of 1968, for the first time required more than 1,200 jurisdictions receiving HUD block grants and housing aid to analyze housing stock and come up with a plan for addressing patterns of segregation and discrimination. If HUD determined that the plan, called a Fair Housing Assessment, wasn't sufficient, the city or county would have to rework it or risk losing funding.

The Trump administration in 2018 suspended the full implementation of the rule and withdrew a data tool designed to help cities analyze their housing, arguing it was too costly and burdensome for both local jurisdictions and the federal government. A group of housing and civil rights advocates unsuccessfully sued HUD over the suspension of the rule.

The proposal released Tuesday aims to replace the 2015 rule. The public will have 60 days to submit comments once it is published in the Federal Register.

It seeks to change the definition of fair housing from “taking meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs'' and “replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns” to “advancing fair housing choice within the program participant's control of influence.''

Housing advocates say the consequences will be disastrous.

“If the rule takes effect, ongoing housing discrimination and segregation will likely continue to be swept under the rug and HUD resources will do far less to reduce segregation and expand housing opportunities for people of color, people with disabilities, and other protected groups,” said Peggy Bailey, vice president of housing policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

HUD officials emphasized a simpler process that focuses on achieving results.

In a shift from a 92-question checklist localities had to answer on housing desegregation, the proposed rule would require each jurisdiction to submit three goals it plans to reach to overcome obstacles to fair housing choice, and leaves the contents of those goals largely up to the cities themselves. According to HUD, 63% of localities had their fair housing plans either rejected or only accepted after “substantial HUD-directed revisions,” with proposals that averaged 204 pages.

The proposed rule also seeks to rank jurisdictions based on housing costs and market rates, and reward topperforming jurisdictions with incentives that could include additional program funds. Those localities where housing choice is relatively poor will be more closely scrutinized.

The goal is to boost the availability of affordable housing. But some housing advocates say it could put high-cost coastal cities with great housing needs, such as California, at greater risk of losing federal funds than smaller, less-expensive rural areas, which tend to be more supportive of Trump.

By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Black drivers in California were stopped by police at 2.5 times the per capita rate of whites and searched three times as often, according to the latest report Thursday from a first-in-the-nation attempt to track racial profiling by police.

Under a 2015 law, when California police make a stop of any kind they are required to, among other things, log their perception of the race, gender and sexual orientation of anyone they stop. The report by the state Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board includes information from the eight largest law enforcement agencies on 1.8 million police stops _ the vast majority traffic stops _ and searches.

Black people accounted for 15% of all stops but make up about 6% of the population. Hispanics accounted for 40% of stops, a slightly higher per capita rate, while whites were a third of the stops, a slightly lower rate.

Moreover, “a higher percentage of Black individuals were stopped for reasonable suspicion than any other racial identity group,” the board reported. Officers were nearly three times as likely to search blacks than whites, though white suspects were more likely to yield contraband or other evidence.

Black people also were more likely to be arrested and stopped at night.

State lawmakers who created the board hoped to learn if agencies are indeed more likely to stop minority motorists for what commonly has been called “driving while black.”

“This is a critical first step in the fight to end racial profiling,” said the board's co-chair, Sahar Durali, who is associate director of litigation and policy at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles.

Public Policy Institute of California criminal justice researcher Magnus Lofstrom, who consulted with the board's researchers, said the racial disparity data “does not tell us the reasons behind those differences and that's where we need to go next.”

“At this point the analysis has not been done to answer those questions, whether it's racial bias or there are other circumstances,” such as where the stops take place, Lofstrom said.

The board recommended the agencies refine their data collection; review and revise their policies and practices; and improve supervision and training. Board members called on legislators to provide more money for those purposes.

The state requires police to individually record the “perceived” race, gender and sexual orientation but it does not allow officers to confirm their impressions by questioning the person who was stopped.

“We're trying to understand to what extent there might be racial bias. So we want to capture what the officer perceives the individual is,” Lofstrom said. “It's the perception that I think is relevant if people have different experiences with law enforcement that are prejudicial.”

The report includes only the eight largest agencies: the California Highway Patrol; Los Angeles police and sheriff's departments; sheriffs in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties; and police departments in San Diego and San Francisco.

The CHP accounted for nearly 60% of stops, and the two Los Angeles agencies about 25%. The CHP and LA sheriff's department did not respond to requests for comment, but LA Police Chief Michel Moore told his department's Racial Identity Profiling Act working group to review the report's findings and recommendations.

“It is our expectation that every contact with the public is conducted in a lawful and respectful manner, based on reasonable suspicion or consent regardless of race or ethnicity,” the LAPD said, noting that the racial disparities alone don't prove or disprove racial profiling.

The biggest racial disparity was by San Francisco police, who were five times more likely to stop black people than their percentage of the population would explain.

The city hired its first black police chief, Bill Scott, in 2017, who promised to reform a department that a 2016 U.S. Department of Justice report found disproportionately arrested, searched and used deadly force against black suspects. He took over after nine officers were fired during two separate scandals involving officers exchanging racist and homophobic text messages.

The San Francisco department did not immediately comment on the latest report.

Officials with the NAACP and the Peace Officers Research Association of California, which represents rank-

and-file officers statewide, also did not immediately comment.

CHP is the only statewide agency, while the other agencies represent more urban areas. Dropping CHP's data from the analysis showed that black people represented an even larger proportion of stopped individuals than their share of the residential population data, while those perceived to be Asian, Hispanic and white were less likely to stopped based on their population rate.

The agencies had to start collecting the data from the second half of 2018 and report it to the state Department of Justice by April 2019 so it could be included in the latest report to lawmakers. The majority of all agencies statewide will also eventually be required to collect and report the data.

The board's co-chairman, Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson, said in a statement that the report “is just the beginning of information that will allow even greater transparency for law enforcement and our communities - allowing us to grow together working on local and statewide areas of concern.”

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Thursday, December 26 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Entertainment

African-American or Other?

Selecting Your Race and Ethnicity on the

US 2020 Census Form Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Kim Kardashian West will likely check “Black or African American” on the US 2020 Census form when marking the race of her children.

In several interviews with various media outlets, the famous media personality and businesswoman, who lives in the San Fernando Valley near Calabasas, has said she’s very conscious of race when it comes to her and rapper Kanye West’s four children.

Kardashian, who is half-White and half-Armenian, has said she identifies the race of her children as “Black” and says the advocacy she has recently been involved in: addressing racial inequities in the criminal justice system is partly inspired by the race of her children.

On this year’s census form, Kardashian’s other option for checking the race box to identify her children would be to select “Other.” That’s if she chooses to count them as bi-racial or mixed race.

Race and ethnicity have often been - and continue to be - controversial and misunderstood census categories.

Experts suggest that some people might be confused about the difference between the two.

On the 2020 census forms, there will be six ways people can identify their race: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; White; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and Other.

Options will also be available for respondents to include an ethnic identification, too. For instance, a Trinidadian-American of African descent may select “Black or African American” under the racial category and write in “Trinidadian” under the ethnic category.

According to the Census Bureau, “Overlap of race and Hispanic ethnicity is the main comparability issue.”

For example, the U.S. Census Bureau includes Black Hispanics in both the number of Blacks and in the number of Hispanics.

Dr. Walter Hawkins, former California State University San Bernardino Director of Research and Policy Analysis, helped clear some of that confusion by detailing the numerous ways people can self-identify on US 2020 Census forms, mentioning the “100 percent count.”

“Under the Census Bureau, in order to get the 100 percent count, they have to use what’s called the ‘Hispanic exclusive method’ because a person who is Hispanic can be any race. So, if you do not take that into consideration, you end up with over 100 percent,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins stated that this distinction affects the overall count for African Americans in California.

“The Black alone ‘non-Hispanic’ population in California is about 2.2 million compared to about 2.7 million if all racial and ethnic combinations are included,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins noted that much of the complication with racial self-identification originated from an old census rule called “head of household.”

“If you marked ‘Black,’ your whole house was Black.

And if you marked ‘White,’ your whole house was White,” Hawkins said.

Data collected during national censuses, which the federal government conducts every 10 years, directly impacts not only the availability but also the quality of services in communities, according to Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University Dominguez Hills.

Inaccurate census counts can lead to billions of dollars lost in government funding for states and local communities. That loss of cash can be critical for already un-

der-served neighborhoods that rely on federal and state tax dollars for social programs, healthcare, infrastructure, schools and other local public services. Census counts also determine the number of representatives a state is allotted in the US Congress.

“Cultural identity is important to every community.

First, in understanding presence. Second, in understanding population growth,” Samad said. “Every ethnicity faces this challenge in the upcoming census, including Latinos and Asian Pacific Islanders, because demographic descriptions speak to a particular community’s service needs.”

According to Samad, African Americans have been at a disadvantage in this regard.

(Instagram photo of the Kardashian West Family 2019)

“For the last three censuses, there have been African-American undercounts,” Samad said. “The only ethnicity with larger undercounts have been Native Americans, largely due to their populations being on sovereign lands that limit census-taker access.”

According to the Census Bureau, the population of Black or African-American people who did not identify with any other race in 2018 counted for 6.5 percent of the overall population in California. Whereas, the population of people who identified as mixed race made up 3.9 percent of the state’s overall population.

The mixed population counts as its own category, making it unclear how many of these people have African lineage.

Samad pointed to another factor that might skew the amount of African Americans being accounted for in the Census: Fear.

“Black people have legitimate fears for sharing information with the federal government for numerous reasons,” Samad said. “However, there hasn’t been sufficient education tying the Census to the community’s welfare.”

Dr. Tecoy Porter, Sacramento President of the National Action Network, shares this concern.

“One of the reasons African Americans are undercounted are our household situations. We tend to not want to reveal all of our information or we do not trust the government,” Porter said. “We think that information could be applied against us.”

Hawkins says he understands those fears. However, he believes that they should not prevent people from wanting to be counted.

“Most of the time if a person is skeptical, they won’t fill out the form at all,” Hawkins said. “But the Census information is completely confidential.”

While some experts underscored the importance of an individual selecting a specific race on his or her census questionnaire, others pointed to the significance of participants choosing how they want to identify themselves.

Lanae Norwood, Strategic Communications Director of the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub “My Black Counts,” stated that while educating African Americans on their options when identifying themselves during the 2020 Census is their goal, individual expression is equally important to her organization.

“Our civic engagement program is about educating and encouraging the Black community to be part of the census count. We are not telling blacks - or anybody for that matter - how to self- identify in the census or what box to check,” Norwood said. “we recognize that Black is not a monolith and contains much racial and ethnic diversity.

We trust people to select the racial or ethnic identity that most represents them.”

Sundance Film Festival Aims for More Movie Critic Diversity SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ A Sundance Film Festival program designed to increase diversity among media members covering the annual event in Park City boomed in popularity in the initiative's second year.

For this year's festival, 51 journalists were selected out of a pool of 319 applicants to receive travel stipends provided in the program, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. The chosen writers are women (61%), LGBTQ (49%), minorities (84%) and people with disabilities (25%).

The festival runs Jan. 23-Feb. 2.

Sundance officials created the Press Inclusion Program in 2018 after a study by USC Annenberg's Inclusion Initiative that two-thirds of movie critics were white men.

Movie blogger Rendy Jones was among the participants in the inaugural program last year. The 21-year-old black and nonbinary writer from New York called it an “amazing” experience and the highlight of his year.

“I met so many different people from different fields _ industry and filmmakers,” Jones said.

Jones missed the deadline to apply this year and brief-

ly panicked, but raised enough money from a GoFundMe account to pay for airfare and rideshares from Salt Lake City, where he's staying with a friend, up to Park City. He runs a website called Rendy Reviews.

Sundance officials said they are looking for ways to improve the program, including moving up the application process so people who aren't selected have more time to make alternate arrangements.

Netflix and the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes are among organizations backing the initiative.

In a blog post about the program, Sundance officials said the lack of diversity among movie critics can have “a a chilling effect on rich discourse and collective dialogue.

The post was written by Sundance's director of outreach and inclusion, Karim Ahmad, and the director of media relations, Spencer Alcorn.

“It can ultimately underserve the artists we showcase at the Sundance Film Festival, by limiting the critical voices that discuss their work,” they wrote. “This, in turn, can directly affect how audiences meet that work.”

Get The Valley’s News Observer Online at www.

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A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Features

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Civil Rights Icon John Lewis A Tribute to a Living Legend:

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Millions adore Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) for his selfless and lifelong dedication to civil and equal rights.

Some idolize Lewis like a rock star, while most revere him as an icon.

It is why presidents, politicians, members of Congress, and everyday people have taken time this week to pay tribute to the 79-year-old, 17-term congressman, who announced that he’s battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

“If there’s one thing I love about Rep. John Lewis, it’s his incomparable will to fight,” former President Barack Obama wrote on his official Twitter account.

“I know he’s got a lot more of that left in him. Praying for you, my friend,” Obama stated.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and former Tallahassee, Fla., Mayor Andrew Gillum, counted among the masses to send their prayers and heartfelt support to Lewis via social media.

“John Lewis is a giant – an icon of the civil rights movement, a leader in Congress and one of the kindest people I know,” Rep. Omar tweeted. “I’m praying for a speedy and full recovery. We need you making good trouble in the halls of Congress,” she wrote.

Lewis is an “American hero and one of the bravest people I know,” Gillum stated. “It was the honor of my life to get into good trouble with him on the campaign trail.”

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Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said the group is praying that Lewis remains strong, vigilant, and relentless in his battle.

“There is no civil rights warrior more dedicated to the cause than John Lewis,” Steele stated. “I know he will wage this battle head-on.”

Members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of black-owned newspapers across the country, also offered their support for Lewis.

“Rep. John Lewis is a profound leader, humanitarian and civil rights icon who has made his mark on American history and has fought for the rights of all people, especially African Americans in this country,” stated NNPA Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards.

“I am extremely confident and prayerful that Rep. Lewis will fight this battle of being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in the same way he has fought and been an example of strength for others his entire life. Praying for a speedy recovery,” Richards stated.

NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., called Lewis a fearless voice and advocate for freedom, justice, and equality both in the halls of the U.S. Congress and in the streets of America.

“John Lewis epitomizes what it means to be a courageous freedom fighter for more than six decades in America and throughout the world,” Chavis stated.

“The Black Press of America salutes the tireless sacrifices and triumphant ideals that the Honorable John Lewis represents today as we go into 2020,” he added.

“The re-enactment of the full Voting Rights Act should be named The John Lewis 2020 Voting Act that he has worked so diligently to see fulfilled for Black Americans and all others who cry out for equality,” Chavis concluded.

Lewis said he’s not looking to give up his work.

“I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community,” Lewis wrote in a statement.

“We still have many bridges to cross,” he stated.

Born in Troy, Alabama, on February 21, 1940, Lewis and his family were poverty-stricken, but it didn’t stop him from rising among the ranks of America’s most prominent leaders.

He became involved in the Civil Rights Movement while still a student at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tenn., where he joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Just shy of his 20th birthday in 1960, Lewis was the man behind the successful sit-in movement at segregated lunch counters in Nashville. In 1961, he volunteered to become a member of the Freedom Riders and put his life on the line several times while fighting for equality.

As chairman of the SNCC, a position he served from 1963 to 1965, Lewis earned recognition as one of the “Big

John Lewis (Center), who represents Georgia’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, urges people to be engaged in the ongoing fight for social justice. U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ Call to Resist: “The Fight Is Not Over” (Photo: NNPA)

Six” of the Civil Rights Movement along with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., A. Phillip Randolph, Whitney Young, James Farmer, and Roy Wilkins.

The group met with President John F. Kennedy to discuss the planning of the “March on Washington.”

In 1963, at just 23, Lewis served as a keynote speaker during the march.

In 1964, he helped coordinate and organized the successful “Mississippi Freedom Summer.”

In 1965, Lewis and fellow activist Hosea Williams led what was planned as a peaceful 54-mile march through Alabama from Selma to Montgomery. The march, a protest of the discriminatory practices and Jim Crow laws that prevented African Americans from voting, would be remembered in history as “Bloody Sunday,” one of the most dramatic and violent incidents of the American Civil Rights Movement.

The publicity surrounding “Bloody Sunday” and the subsequent march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led President Lyndon Johnson to push for the Voting Rights Act, passed by Congress on August 6, 1965, according to Lewis’ biography on The HistoryMakers.

Lewis was elected to his first governmental office in 1981, serving as an Atlanta City Council member until 1986. He was then elected to represent Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.

“John Lewis has spent his life bravely out front and

center, challenging racism, entrenched systems and evil policies that support power and privilege for some as it oppresses others,” stated NNPA Treasurer and New Journal & Guide Publisher Brenda Andrews.

“He has helped change the laws and heart of the Jim Crow nation into which he was born, making us all a better people. My prayers for his recovery are with him as he confronts this very personal battle,” Andrews stated.

Bobby Henry, the publisher of the Westside Gazette Newspaper in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., recalled his first meeting with Lewis, which occurred more than 20 years ago.

“I met him with [former Florida Democratic] Congressman Alcee Hastings, and Rep. Lewis presented me with his autographed book, ‘Walking with the Wind,’” Henry recalled.

“I asked him about his preaching to his chickens, which he wrote about in his book, and he responded with laughter and said, ‘they were the only ones who would sit still and listen to me.’ I would imagine that Congressman Lewis would approach his illness as he did in a story from his childhood where he and his family were home during a violent windstorm,” Henry stated.

“The winds were pulling the house up from the ground, and they marched from one corner of the house to the other to hold the house down to keep it from being blown away. With the same courage, I’m sure Rep. Lewis will approach his situation.”

Thursday, January 9, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Sports

Rose Bowl Hall 2019 Has a “Fab Four”

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer In an event hosted by John Anderson of ESPN just outside the Stadium, The Rose Bowl class of 2019 has players that are popular on and off the football field. Their participation in the game has helped give them a stature only few can claim.

They are truly a “Fab Four” of College Football. Eddie Casey (Harvard), Cornelius Greene (Ohio State), Jacque Robinson (Washington), and Matt Leinart (USC) all were enshrined and all gave something special.

Casey was an athletic halfback and defensive back.

The 155 pounder left school after his freshman year to join the Navy. He returned for the 1919 campaign and the team finished the season with a 9-0-1 record. He and his teammates traveled six days on the train from Boston to Pasadena. They defeated Oregon 7-6 in the 1920 Rose Bowl and Casey had more than half of the 205 yards that included 40 rushing and 59 receiving. He was named game MVP and The Tournament of Roses was introduced to New England. It was the only postseason game the Crimson football played in.

“That had a lot of meaning to the school and people around Harvard,” said Harvard Head Football coach Tim Murphy. “Most of todays recruits are surprised that Harvard won the Rose Bowl. There’s a little bit of shock that Harvard played in those types of games. “ Quarterback Cornelius Greene was one of the best athletes to ever play at Ohio State. He is one of the few to play in four Rose Bowls (1973-74-75-76). “In order to go to the Rose Bowl you had to beat Michigan,” said Greene. “That means we beat Bo Schembechler each year I played for the Buckeyes.

As a sophomore in the 1973 game the shifty running Greene threw for 125 yards and ran for 45 as the Buckeyes defeated USC 42-21. He was named game MVP. At the time many college coaches were afraid to start or even play blacks at quarterback. He was the first to start at Ohio State. Greene stated: “I give the glory to Woody Hayes to have the guts to play me.”

There were several friends former teammates of Greene on hand to see him receive this award. Cullen Bennett who now lives in Los Angeles was one. “He (Greene) was like a mentor to me,” said Bennett. “When I came in as a freshman he taught me a lot not just about football but about school and others things in life.”

As an Alumni Bennett claims, “I only watch Ohio State football games only, that’s the only college football I watch.”

In the 1975 and 76 games Greene had 454 yards of total offense and scored 2 touchdowns. In 1975 he was the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award winner as the best player in the Big Ten. He was 31-3-1 as a starter and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

Greene is now part of a complete Buckeye backfield in the Rose Bowl HOF that includes Pete Johnson (2007), Archie Griffin (1990), and Coach Hayes who was inducted in 1989.

Jacque Robinson was a big talent at the University of Washington.

The Huskies defeated Texas Tech and USC on the way to the Rose Bowl.

In the 1982 game the San Jose native rushed for 142 yards on 20 carries while scoring two TDs in a 28-0 win over Iowa. He became the first freshman to be named Rose Bowl MVP. It had been rumored before the game Robinson said he was going to win the MVP. “That actually was my roommate,” said Robinson. ”He did a lot of talking and

Jaque Robinson (Washington) , left, Cornelius Green (Ohio State), Matt Leniart (USC), Harvard head football coach Tim Murphy (accepting on behalf of Eddie Casey) and Laura Farber, President and Chairman of the Tournament of Roses during the Hall of Fame Luncheon outside the Rose Bowl on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

someone thought it came from me” Later as a senior he became Orange Bowl MVP after the Huskies defeated Oklahoma 28-17. He was the first to be named MVP of the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl. He entered the Washington Hall of Fame in 2016. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985. His is also the father of Former NBA player and Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson.

Matt Leinart was one of the most popular players ever to put on the uniform at USC. During his freshman year he had to wait behind Heisman winner Carson Palmer

before he got his shot to play.

He made the best of his chance by playing in two Rose Bowls. In 2004 he lead the Trojans to a 28-14 win over Michigan. He threw for 3 touchdowns and caught another from wide receiver Mike Williams.

When he appeared in his second he had won the Heisman Trophy and was named Walter Camp AllAmerican and Player of the Year. He completed 73 percent of his passes for 3,300 yards and 34 touchdowns.

The Trojans lost to Texas 41-38 in the BCs National Title game. “It’s been called the “Greatest College Game

ever” said Leinart. “I wish the outcome was different but it was great to be part of. “ Leinart finished his career with a 37-2 record as a starter and a 39 game win streak overall. “It was Pete Carroll who did a lot of it,” said Leinart. “He really made us work hard and we were confident.”

He entered the College Hall of Fame last year and the Rose Bowl Hall this year and he and his wife are expecting a child “Any day now, put it all together it was a pretty cool thing.”

Oregon Edges Wisconsin in 106th Rose Bowl

Jonathan Taylor (23) a two-time Walter Camp All-American rushes for some of his 94 yards in the Rose Bowl. (Earl Heath Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer “There’s nothing better than being in Pasadena on January first.” Those were the words of the late Dick Enberg, a member of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Sixth Ranked Oregon and Eighth Ranked Wisconsin came to play a game and it turned out to be a nail bitter as the Ducks prevailed 28-27 in front of 93,675.

The traditional PAC-12 and Big-10 game saw the Ducks jump out to a 7-0 lead as they marched 75 yards on a 12 play drive.

It was capped with a 4 yard run by QB Justin Herbert.

On the ensuing kick-off the Badgers Aron Cruickshank brought the crowd to its feet with a dazzling 95 yard kick-off return to tie the game at 7-7.

Herbert had only had one rushing touchdown all season but this game he had 3 including a 30 yarder in the fourth period.

He was the first QB to rush for 3 TD’s since Vince Young in the 2006 game. Herbert finished the day connecting on 14 of 20 for 138 yards.

Juwan Johnson had 5 catches for 66 yards. Mycah Pittman (Oaks Christian High) had three catches for 36 yards for the 12-2 Ducks. It was the first 12 win season since the won 13 in the 2014 season playing in the National Championship game.

QB Jack Coan completed 23 of 35 for 186 yards and a touchdown to Quintez Cephus. The talented WR had a game leading 7 catches for 60 yards for the (10-4) Badgers. He’s expected to go high in the NFL draft.

Jonathan Taylor rushed for 94 yards on 21 carries to help roll up 322 yards of offense.

On the defensive side LB Jack Sanborn and DB Fion Hicks led the team with 4 tackles each. The Wisconsin defense only gave up 206 yards and just 13 first downs.

However the offense had 4 turnovers.

Mycah Pittman (4) (Oaks Christian High) of Oregon gains yards after a catch. (Earl Heath Photo)

Staples Center Celebrates 20 Years This Year

Home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Kings

STAPLES Center Figueroa Street (Photo Credit: Staplescenter.com)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com From the Grammy’s to the Democratic National Convention. From Usher, Jay Z to Taylor Swift. Not to mention being the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Kings. In their 20th year of existence, the STAPLES Center has established itself as the focal point of the Sports and Entertainment Center of the World.

So much so, the Staples Center should be credited for revitalization Downtown Los Angeles?

The AEG owned arena is currently home to four professional teams which includes the Los Angeles Sparks.

They’ve also hosted world championship boxing as well as having been the consistent host of the BET Experience weekend for several years. Proudly boasting their worldclass amenities, this remarkable venue hosts over the past 250 events per year provides a second to none guest experience.

To kick-off the year, the Staples Center hosted a remarkable 5 events in 3 nights. On Friday night the Lakers welcomed in the New Orleans Pelicans and former Lakers Brandon Ingram, Jason Hart, and Lonzo Ball into Staples.

Their crew quickly revamped Staples for a Clippers home game Saturday afternoon against the youthful Memphis Grizzlies headlined by Ja Morant and Jeren Jackson Jr. Later that evening the crew coordinated, the multiple moving parts, to renovate the arena as the Los Angeles Kings welcomed in the Nashville Predators. After that game and for the second consecutive evening the Staples Center crew went at again, preparing the building for the New York Knicks to take on the Kwahi-less Clippers for their fourth event in 3 days. Lastly, with the Lakers

hosting the Detroit Pistons and the resurgence of Derrick Rose in prime time the Staples Centers crew completed a staggering 5 events in under 72 hours.

Fans in attendance at the multitude of events can enjoy VIP services with their Premium Service Packages which includes a VIP Entrance to the arena along their own Premium Service Managers. They also have food prepared and catered by Levy Restaurants to accommodate any of their client’s budgets. Additionally, their Premium packages allow for complimentary access to the San Manuel Club, where each table vaunts an All-inclusive food and drink including Chefs table, beer, wine, and soda.

Local fans in attendance saw 3 wins out for the 5 events hosted by Staples in their first weekend of the new year.

The Lakers beat up on the lowly Pelicans and the Detroit Pistons, while the Clippers rebounded from their initial loss by beating the New York Knicks on Sunday morning.

If you would like more information about information or you’re planning a visit, click on the following Staples Centers link to familiarize yourself with Staples Center.

Let us know your thoughts on your visits to the Staples Center, whether it has been for sporting events or for any concerts you’ve attended there by simply commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement.

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

A6

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Local

LA Tourist Car Burglaries Linked to Bay Area Gangs LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A surge of thefts from vehicles The division covers an area with very popular upparked at tourist locations on the west side of Los Angeles scale shopping centers, museums and the famous Original has been linked to San Francisco Bay Area gang members, Farmers market. It recorded 1,968 car burglaries in 2019, authorities say. an increase of 29% from 2018 and 37% from 2017.

The Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments Hopkins attributed much of the jump to Bay Area and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are try- gangs. ing to stem the outbreak that began last year, the Los AnPolice can urge people to not leave valuables in cars geles Times reported Monday. but that may not be an option for some tourists, and they “It was our No. 1 crime trend in West Bureau in may not be able to easily return for prosecution of the 2019,” LAPD Cmdr. Cory Palka told the newspaper. crimes. Additionally, a loophole in state law makes it diffiThe Bay Area thieves use rental cars to travel several cult to obtain a conviction unless there's proof a car's doors hundred miles to Southern California, where they target were locked. tourists' cars at shopping centers, museums and similar “It makes me angry that these innocent people are bespots. ing targeted,” Hopkins said. “It really puts a black eye on The burglary crews primarily come from San Fran- our area.” cisco, Oakland and Contra Costa County cities including More than 2,000 thefts from vehicles were recorded Antioch and Pittsburg. last year by the sheriff's station in West Hollywood, said Their move south follows an extensive theft problem Capt. Ed Ramirez, the commanding officer. Areas hit by in the Bay Area that led residents and businesses there to those thieves included the Sunset Strip. increase security, said Lt. Matt Stonebraker of the police Beverly Hills police are doing some traveling of their department in Richmond, northeast of San Francisco. own in pursuit of the thieves.

“This has also caused them to hit the road to locations “By living up there, they feel this is a safe business where they can have anonymity in other jurisdictions,” model to follow,” said Lt. Scott Dowling. “We will go after Stonebraker said. you if you leave a cookie to follow. This is a quality-of-life Detective Brent Hopkins of the LAPD's Wilshire Diissue for us. It's quite a burden.”

T:4.625” vision calls it “tourist suspects targeting tourist victims.”

ASSESSing hOuSing OpTiOnS

undERSTAnding bEnEFiTS Amanda Summer Hill (Earl Heath Photo)

Volunteers are Backbone of Tournament of Roses

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Amanda Summer Hill has been taking time out for decorating a float. She is one of the more than 900 volunteers that help make the Tournament of Roses go.

The Alverno High Grad has been doing this since the age of four and she really doses not mind a challenge. “I really love doing this since I started so young,” said the Freshman who now attends Cal. “I like getting high on the scaffolding,” JB Bell is a volunteers and this year she worked with

the Media. She’s a Business Consultant by trade and works and lives in the San Francisco. However, she spends two weeks during the year assisting the committee in preparing the media for the big game. Credentials have to be given out, rooms have to be arranged along with many other duties to make game coverage flow smoothly. “I love what I do here” said Bell a twenty- year volunteer. “It’s the environment and people that I like being around”

If you love them enough to sit through their favorite movies, then surely you’ll check to make sure they’re in the right car seat.

NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat