Valley's News Observer 4.15.21 4C

Will Smith and Director Antoine Fugua Have Pulled Film from Georgia Over Page A3 Voting Restrictions

Chargers Weekly - Brandon Staley Talks Free Agency Page A5

News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 22

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Bruce’s Beach Is Just One Example in California

Blacks Illegally Lost Land

(Photo Credit: City of Manhattan Beach)

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media The disturbing story of Los Angeles County’s Bruce’s Beach Park -- location of the first West Coast seaside resort for Black beachgoers and a residential enclave for a few African American families – has been making headlines around the country.

One hundred years ago, Manhattan Beach city officials seized the Bruce’s beachfront property from an African American couple, Charles and Willa Bruce, citing

an “urgent need” to build a city park. But the area was not developed for recreational use after it was forcefully taken from the Black owners.

In addition to the Bruce’s land, the city grabbed about two dozen other properties from African American families along the city’s Pacific shore using eminent domain laws.

“This was a strategy and a tactic used everywhere – here in California. That’s why we get so much resistance when we fight it,” said Sacramento resident Jonathan Burgess, referring to Bruce’s beach and other properties he said were

forcefully and illegally taken away from Black Californians in the past. Burgess’s family is engaged in a fight of their own to reclaim property in Northern California’s Gold Country that he says authorities stole from his ancestors.

Gold country is a mineral-rich area along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada that was a popular destination during California’s 19th century Gold Rush.

“The timing couldn’t be better because of what’s happening in Manhattan Beach. First, you have to reconcile Continued on page A4

FEMA to Start Reimbursing for COVID Funeral Costs

Quinci LeGardye California Black Media The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an alarming number of deaths over the past year: just under 3 million people across the globe; more than half a million people in the United states; and north of 60,000 victims died here in California.

The families and loved ones of those victims have been slammed with unexpected funeral costs. Many of them have had to suffer the loss of someone they loved while facing unanticipated financial strains caused by the pandemic.

In an effort to provide some relief for those Americans, the federal government has announced a new program.

“The COVID -19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus,” reads the official announcement of the program on FEMA’s website.

“Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate,” said acting FEMA administrator Bob Fenton.

Beginning April 12, FEMA will provide financial relief for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Anyone who lost a loved one to COVID-19 will be able to apply for retroactive reimbursements for funeral costs, up to $9,000 per burial.

Funeral expenses will count as the purchase of burial, a plot, a headstone, clergy services, cremation, the transfer of remains or other services associated with a funeral. According to National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial was $7,640 in 2019.

Funding for the program was included in both

COVID-19 stimulus packages passed by Congress recently -- the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act signed by former President Trump in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan

signed by President Biden in March 2021.

Applicants for the program will be required to provide

an official death certificate attributing the death either directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and show that the death occurred in the U.S. In addition, they will have to submit funeral expense documents, such as receipts or a funeral home contract. Applicants will also have to provide proof of funeral funds received from other sources, as the program will not reimburse funds received from burial insurance or financial assistance from agencies or other sources.

If multiple people contributed toward funeral costs, they will be able to apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicants.

According to FEMA, the agency will reimburse funeral costs for multiple people in the same family, up to a maximum of $35,000.

Consideration of reimbursements for funeral expense began as early as May 2020 when Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) introduced the COVID Funeral Assistance Act. It proposed reimbursements of up to $10,000. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) has also been an advocate for federal funeral assistance.

“Families across this country are living on the edge because of this public health and economic crisis. On top of facing unimaginable hardship and loss, the last thing they should have to worry about is how to pay for funeral expenses,” Lee said.

FEMA has also included a fraud alert on its website.

“We have received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance. FEMA has not sent any such notifications and we do not contact people prior to them registering for assistance,” it reads.

To learn more, applicants can visit the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance page on FEMA. gov, or call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Hot Line at 844-684-6333, or TTY at 800-462-7585.

COVID-19 Testing and Black America According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Black Americans (61%) now say they plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine (or that they’ve already received one), compared to only 42% in November, 2020. As trust increases, we need to also increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in our communities to create better health outcomes.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO National Newspaper Publishers Association The COVID-19 pandemic across America and throughout the world is still a serious danger to public health for all communities, but especially for African American and other people of color communities. African Americans are still disproportionately negatively impacted by this deadly virus.

This is why more COVID-19 testing for Black America is so important in 2021: African Americans comprise 13% of the U.S. population, but more than half of all COVID-19 cases, and nearly 60% of all COVIDrelated deaths in the U.S., were in cities with large Black Getting tested for important health issues - and understanding the results - empowers people to make inpopulations. Now that federal-government approved formed and sometimes critical healthcare decisions. In fact, 70% of medical decisions are based on results Continued on page A2

from diagnostic tests.

Free!

Thursday, April 15, 2021

CDPH Issues Statement on Johnson & Johnson/ Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (SACRAMENTO April 13th, 2021)– Today the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statement from Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist, regarding the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

“Today, the CDC and FDA have recommended a temporary pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution.

Of over 6.8 million doses administered nationally, there have been six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot with symptoms occurring 6 to 13 days after vaccination.

“California is following the FDA and CDC’s recommendation and has directed health care providers to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until we receive further direction from health and safety experts. Additionally, the state will convene the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review the information provided by the federal government on this issue. As the federal government has said, we do not expect a significant impact to our vaccination allocations.

In California, less than 4% of our vaccine allocation this week is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

For more information about the adverse effects, and what to do if you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. We will provide additional details on what this means for our state efforts as they become available.

Mother of 3 Murder Victims Arrested After Bakersfield Carjacking

By OLGA RODRIGUEZ, DAMIAN DOVARGANES Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) – The mother of three children – all under the age of 5 – found slain inside a Los Angeles apartment Saturday morning has been arrested, police said.

Liliana Carrillo, 30, was arrested in Tulare County, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. It wasn’t immediately known if she had a lawyer who could speak on her behalf.

The children’s grandmother returned home from work and found their bodies and the mother missing, Los Angeles police Lt. Raul Jovel said.

The Los Angeles Police Department tweeted the children appeared to be under 5 years old. A police spokesman initially said they were under the age of 3.

The gruesome discovery was made around 9:30 a.m. in the 8000 block of Reseda Boulevard, Jovel said.

Police said initial reports suggested the children had been stabbed to death, but no official cause of death has been released.

Jovel said investigators were still working to determine a motive.

The department received reports Carrillo was driving her car and heading north on Interstate 5 when she got in an altercation in the Bakersfield area. She abandoned her car and carjacked another vehicle, Jovel said.

Carrillo was detained in the Ponderosa area of Tulare County, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Bakersfield, police said.

“At this point, she is a suspect in this incident but that doesn’t exclude other people,” Jovel said.

Lupe Cuevas, a neighbor of Carrillo and her children, told the San Bernardino Sun that she interacted with the three children and their grandmother during afternoon walks around the neighborhood.

One of the children, a girl, was drawn to her Chihuahua, Rosie, Cuevas told the newspaper.

“Those babies were such sweet little ones,” she said.

“It hurts.”

Cuevas said she thought the girl was the middle child of the three.

“She wasn’t shy. She was sweet.” Cuevas said. “An angel shouldn’t have to go that way.”

Man Convicted of Racial Assault on Black Man SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) – A Northern California man was convicted Friday of attacking a Black man with a knife in a racially-motivated crime last July, federal authorities said.

Ole Hougen, 44, of Santa Cruz, was found guilty of trying to injure someone with a dangerous weapon because of their race and color, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Hougen confronted a 29-year-old man who was crossing a street in Santa Cruz, pulled a 9-inch knife and “swiped multiple times at the man’s head, chest, and stomach, while yelling racial slurs at him,” the attorney’s office said in a statement.

The man wasn’t seriously hurt, authorities said.

At the time, Hougen was on probation after pleading no contest to state charges that he committed a racially motived assault on a different Black man in 2018, authorities said.

Hougen could face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in July.

“The FBI worked closely with the Santa Cruz Police Department to bring justice for this shocking, horrific attack,” Craig Fair, special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Francisco Field office, said in the statement. “Acts of hate and racism have no place here and will not be tolerated.”

World & Nation

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, April 15, 2021

GM Announces 400% Increase in Ad Spending with Black-Owned Media General Motors officials said it would be more productive to host a series of meetings involving a more extensive mix of Black-owned media publishers and executives. “To ensure that our conversations are both substantive and constructive, we are going to postpone [the originally scheduled meeting] and reschedule it into a series of smaller conversations that take place over the next few weeks,” GM global Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Wahl told the executives.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent General Motors, a longtime corporate partner of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), announced increasing advertising spending in Blackowned media by 400 percent.

According to a news release, the company said it would grow spending from 2 percent to 8 percent of its total budget by 2023.

By that estimate, General Motors’ advertising spending would jump from about $45 million to approximately $180 million.

Several Black-owned media officials recently pressed General Motors CEO Mary Barra for a meeting after determining that the company was not doing enough to promote economic inclusion.

Reportedly, a meeting between Barra, and a contingent led by Byron Allen of Allen Media Group, was postponed.

General Motors officials said it would be more productive to host a series of meetings involving a more extensive mix of Black-owned media publishers and executives.

“To ensure that our conversations are both substantive and constructive, we are going to postpone [the originally scheduled meeting] and reschedule it into a series of smaller conversations that take place over the next few weeks,” GM global Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Wahl told the executives.

“We also intend to expand the dialogue to invite our

According to a news release, the company said it would grow spending from 2 percent to 8 percent of its total budget by 2023. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

existing Black-owned media partners currently in the GM portfolio.”

For years, the company has been a corporate sponsor to the NNPA, the trade association representing 230 African American newspapers and media companies in markets throughout the country.

Also, General Motors’ Chevrolet brand and the NNPA have partnered since 2016 to provide deserving HBCU students with the exciting opportunity to “Discover the

Unexpected” about themselves and their communities via a journalism fellowship program.

The Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship (DTU) provides six HBCU students with scholarships ($10,000 each), stipends ($5,000 each), an eightweek fellowship with the nation’s leading Black news publications, and the “road trip of a lifetime” in an all-new Chevrolet Blazer or other Chevrolet vehicle.

Each year, a selection of four NNPA Publishers

provides the fellows with the opportunity to gain real-world journalism experience during the eight-week Fellowship Program.

“General Motors has been taking steps to deal with systemic racism,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. “It doesn’t happen overnight or in one year.”

months or over the course of the next year.

On April 6, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA13) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) hosted a virtual conference to inform Californians about the details of the American Rescue Plan. Throughout the conversation, they both spelled out the importance of direct relief to Black and Brown families and small businesses in the state. They said what’s currently offered in the American Rescue Plan helps, but it is hardly enough. They also said some measures in the bill should be made permanent.

Newly appointed Senator Padilla, formerly California’s Secretary of State, spoke about the scope of the law. He also described how his work on the law has taken up a significant chunk of his time since February when he was sworn in to serve in the U.S. Senate “Since my appointment to the Senate it has been COVID, COVID, COVID. We know how devastating COVID has been for the country and California is no exception, but it has disproportionately impacted working class communities and communities of color. So. it was great to partner with [Congresswoman Lee] and all of our colleagues to push through the American Rescue Plan.

When we step back and take our breath, we recognize, it’s one of the most progressive pieces of legislation approved

by Congress since the New Deal. And, so, it is tremendous help that’s now arriving,” said Padilla.

Lee spoke about forms of assistance included in the American Rescue Plan designed to help individuals and families in poverty. Those include the new expanded earned income tax credit and the expanded Child Tax Credit, as well as more money allocated for rental assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She also commented on the importance of the law’s focus on poverty, especially in a high-cost state such as California.

“Here in California, oftentimes we think of it as the Golden State which it is, but we have such huge numbers of people living below the poverty line, and it’s growing even more each and every day because of the pandemic.

Nationally, the crisis has plunged more than 8 million more people into poverty since last year. About one in seven households nationwide including more than one in five African American and Latino households, and many Asian Americans and Pacific Islander households are struggling just to secure the food that they need,” said Lee. The expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) makes the credit available to more workers not raising children, as the previous credit only went to a small number of these workers. With the increase, the maximum EITC is tripled, going from about $540 to about $1,500, and the income cap for qualification goes from about $16,000 to at least $21,000. It also expands the age range of eligible workers without children to include young adults aged 19-

24 who aren’t students and older adults age 65 and older.

The expansion of the Child Tax Credit is designed to significantly reduce child poverty, by increasing both the scope of the credit to include 17-year-olds and by increasing the dollar amount to $3,600 for children under age six and $3,000 for other children under age 18. The expansion also makes the Child Tax Credit available to all children except those with the highest incomes.

According to the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the changes in the Child Tax Credit will lift 4.1 million children in America above the poverty line -- a large number of them Black and Latino, whom the old credit disproportionately left out.

“The expansion of the Child Tax Credit is one of the things I’m most proud of having supported. We have the opportunity to uplift half the nation’s children who are living in poverty, out of poverty. In California alone, that’s

half a million children,” said Padilla.

“We have a lot of work to do, and California has some of the highest poverty rates for Black and Brown children throughout the country. And so, this is not something we in California can sidestep,” said Lee. In addition to providing details on the current relief available, Lee and Padilla also spoke about the need to expand or make some of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan permanent as many Californians work to build back the wealth that they lost during the pandemic.

“In the law, we did put $1400 in direct payments. For me, not enough, I think we need to have at least $2,000 a month guaranteed until the end of the pandemic. People did not lose their jobs because they wanted didn’t want to work. They didn’t lose their businesses because they just wanted to shut down. This was as a result of the pandemic and so our government needs to step up,” said Lee.

Padilla and Lee: Rescue Plan Will Lift Half a Million California Kids Out of Poverty Quinci LeGardye California Black Media President Biden signed the latest federal COVID-19 stimulus package, known as the American Rescue Plan, into law on March 11.

Over the past month since the bill passed – and as stimulus checks have gone out to people across the country -- some members of California’s congressional delegations have been coming home to inform their constituents about other forms of relief that law has established for them.

Many of them will be implemented within the next few

News Observer The Valley’s

Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July 2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. BS007262, Government Code 6023.

Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385 Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Assc.

Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC

President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey

Credo - The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back.

The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views and opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management are soleley the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editiing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.: Los Angeles News Observer, Bakersfield News Observer, The Valley’s News Observer The 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

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla speaks at a news conference Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at the Capitol in Sacramento, California. (Photo Credit: Yahoo)

COVID-19 Testing and Black America Continued from page A1

vaccines are available, it does not mean that COVID-19 testing is no longer needed.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is very concerned about the current state of health disparities and inequities that are realities for the majority of African Americans. Facts, data, and truth about the pandemic are vital to our future.

According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Black Americans (61%) now say they plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine (or that they’ve already received one), compared to only 42% in November, 2020. As trust increases, we need to also increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in our communities to create better health outcomes.

The Black Press and the Black Church are two fundamental trusted institutions in our communities. We are pleased to learn about a new emerging partnership with Black church leaders which is creating greater access to much-needed COVID-19 testing in our communities. A partnership between Quest Diagnostics, Choose Healthy

Life and the United Way of New York City is bringing COVID-19 testing and education to Black communities in cities across the U.S., and they are working with trusted voices in Black churches to increase participation.

The pandemic has also made it even clearer that Black Americans need access to additional resources to take control of their health. In Chicago for example, Black residents make up 30% of the population but account for 70% of COVID-related deaths, and the majority of Black COVID-19 patients who have died in Chicago also had underlying health conditions, like respiratory problems, hypertension, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for Black Americans, and Black people experience risk factors that contribute to heart disease like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol more often and earlier in life compared to White people. Thus, overall healthcare testing is needed throughout Black America.

Getting tested for important health issues - and

understanding the results - empowers people to make informed and sometimes critical healthcare decisions.

In fact, 70% of medical decisions are based on results from diagnostic tests. Because there aren’t always obvious symptoms of a health issue, testing is one of the most effective ways to identify health concerns that may need to be addressed.

Quest Diagnostics is committed to creating partnerships with others to increase access in Black and other underserved communities. It’s time for the entire healthcare system to step up with similar commitments – with access to treatment and preventative care – to help Black communities move past this pandemic on an even ground with White America. Access, testing, and equity are keys to achieving and maintaining good health for all.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), and Executive Producer and host of The Chavis Chronicles (TCC) on PBS TV stations weekly across the United States.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Entertainment

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Hip Hop Superstar DMX Has Died at 50

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent DMX, the sensationally talented and gruff-voiced rap artist and actor who rose from the hardscrabble streets of Yonkers, New York, to become one of hip-hop’s most prolific stars, has died at the age of 50.

Most famous for the “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, suffered a heart attack last week.

He was rushed to White Plains Hospital where doctors worked for several days to try and revive him.

“We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50 years old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days,” the family wrote in a statement.

“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart, and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”

Raised by his aunt, DMX took hip-hop by storm in the 1990s.

He won Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype Award in January 1991 and released the promo single ‘Born Loser’ for Columbia Records.

After a nearly three-year hiatus, DMX returned to the limelight with an appearance on LL Cool J’s “4, 3, 2, 1.”

He worked with the Diddy protégé Ma$e on ’24 Hours To Live’, the LOX’s “Money, Power & Respect,” and the remix of Ice Cube’s smash hit, “We Be Clubbin.’”

After signing a contract with Ruff Ryders/ Def Jam Records, DMX recorded his iconic hit, “Get At Me Dog,” which quickly rose up the rap and pop music charts.

His seminal CD, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” cemented

photo of the rapper covered in blood, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood entered the charts at number one and eventually went triple platinum.

The following year, DMX hit the road with Jay-Z and the Method Man/Redman team on the blockbuster Hard Knock Life tour.

“The Ruff Ryders posse – of which DMX was a core, founding member – released a showcase compilation, Ryde or Die, Vol. 1,” AllMusic.com editors wrote.

“With contributions from DMX, as well as Eve, the LOX, and multiple guests, Ryde or Die, Vol. 1 debuted at number one in the spring of 1999, further cementing DMX’s Midas touch.”

DMX went on to star in a myriad of motion pictures and television shows, including “Any Given Sunday,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “Cradle 2 the Grave.”

DMX reportedly is survived by a fiancée, his mother and 15 children.

IN MEMORIAM: his legacy as a rap music genius.

The website AllMusic.com noted that, following the deaths of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious BIG, DMX took over as the undisputed reigning king of hardcore rap.

“He was that rare commodity: a commercial powerhouse with artistic and street credibility to spare,” editors at AllMusic.com wrote.

“His rapid ascent to stardom was actually almost a decade in the making, which gave him a chance to develop the theatrical image that made him one of rap’s most

distinctive personalities during his heyday.”

Hype Williams’ motion picture “Belly” was among the first to cast DMX in leading roles.

The 1998 film also included Nas, Taral Hicks, Method Man, R&B singer T-Boz, and National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Before the end of 1998, DMX completed his second album, and a pending buyout of Def Jam pushed the record into stores that December. Featuring a controversial cover

Will Smith Film Departs Georgia Over Voting Restrictions

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Will Smith and director Antoine Fuqua have pulled production of their runaway slave drama “Emancipation” from Georgia over the state's recently enacted law restricting voting access.

The film is the largest and most high profile Hollywood production to depart the state since Georgia's Republican-controlled state Legislature passed a law that introduced stiffer voter identification requirements for absentee balloting, limited drop boxes and gave the State Election Board new powers to intervene in county election offices and to remove and replace local election officials.

Opponents have said the law is designed to reduce the impact of minority voters.

In a joint statement, Smith and Fuqua – who are both producers on the project – said they felt compelled to move the production out of Georgia.

“We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access,” Smith and Fuqua said. “The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting.”

“Emancipation” had been scheduled to begin shooting in June. Apple Studios acquired the film last year in a deal reportedly worth $130 million. Based on a true story, the film stars Smith as a slave who flees a Louisiana plantation and joins the Union Army.

Hollywood's response to the Georgia law has been closely watched because the state is a major hub of film production and boasts generous tax incentives. Some filmmakers have said they would boycott, including “Ford v. Ferrari” director James Mangold. But major studios have so far been largely quiet. In 2019, a Georgia anti-abortion law (later declared unconstitutional) prompted studios to threaten to cease production in the state.

NEW YORK (AP) – Reaction to the death of Grammy-nominated rapper DMX, who died Friday at 50.

– “Earl Simmons was a wonderful, caring father, and a sensitive, thoughtful man. Unfortunately, Dark Man X took over and ran amok, tormented and struggling to find the light. ... DMX gave me the inspiration to keep going at Def Jam when rap became soft and silly,” Lyor Cohen, a former executive at Def Jam, said in a statement.

– “DMX is a legend,” said hip-hop and electronic music producer Flying Lotus. “You can't be a fan and not feel empathy for him in his journey,” Flying Lotus said on Wednesday while the rapper was hospitalized. “You think of `Belly' and all the great stuff that he was part of. But he was dealt such a weird hand, I think, with the drug stuff.

And I just have empathy because I know it's a real thing that addiction is crazy. And so many people, they struggle with it and it's not easy.”

– “It's so sad to hear about the passing of DMX. He was a true legend to the hip-hop community. I was individually inspired by him from his unique style. I remember touring and being on a lot of shows with him.

One day I was coming out of my hotel and DMX saw me and asked, `was his child's mother pulling me back?' `Pulling Me Back' was my latest record at that time for the ladies. I used to date his child's mom and he knew that but he was cool. It never was an issue because he knew it was before him. He always showed me love and we always talked when we ran into each other,” rapper Chingy said in a statement.

– “Gods Poet. I Love You,” rapper Nas said in an Instagram post.

– “(hash)mydog X I know that you are in the place of peace you deserve. I will be forever grateful to have known you. You were one of the most special people I have ever met. Full of Humour, talent, wisdom honesty and love and most of all loyalty. This world has lost a REAL ONE but the heavens have gained an ANGEL,” rapper Eve said in an Instagram post.

– “RIP DMX. I pray for the comfort of your children and loved ones,” actor Viola Davis said on Twitter.

– “Rest In Peace DMX, a true legend. It was truly my honor to work and get to know you,” actor Jet Li said.

What they thought was a battle ended up being a family reunion. Of 2 Doggs who loved everything about each other thank. U. X for loving me back. C u when I get there,” rapper Snoop Dogg, who faced off against DMX in a Verzuz battle last year, said in an Instagram post.

– “Rest easy king Hug my Babegirl Aaliyah when you see her !!!!” said producer Timbaland on Twitter.

– “Earl you had and still have a heart of gold. You and Baby Girl will meet again with all the beautiful people we have lost. Will never forget your kindness. NEVER! Blessing to your family! Eternally!” said Diane Haughton, the mother of the late singer Aaliyah, said on Instagram.

GLAAD Media Awards Presenters Support Transgender Athletes

For Black Journalists, Working Chauvin Trial Drains Emotions

By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) – At the end of a stressful day, Sara Sidner seeks the friendly wag of a dog's tail. Shaquille Brewster turns to sports on TV, and Julia Jenae talks things out with colleagues.

Each is covering one of the nation's biggest stories, the murder trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. Each is also a Black journalist, reporting on an issue of great racial significance and forced _ as part of their jobs _ to watch video of George Floyd's life ending again and again.

“You really feel the consequences of it,” said Brewster, who at age 28 is delivering repeated reports on NBC News and MSNBC programs.

The National Association of Black Journalists has taken note of the assignment's potential difficulties, calling on news organizations to make resources available to help employees cope. Reporters covering the trial may be susceptible to trauma tied to their own experiences or previous stories about encounters between police and Black people, said Dorothy Tucker, NABJ president.

For some of the Black journalists covering the trial, it is important to bear witness.

“I had zero trepidation,” said CNN's Sidner. “In fact, I felt it was my absolute duty to do this.”

The Los Angeles-based Sidner covered the story soon after it broke last May and wants to see it through _ even though it will never really end for the people involved or touched by it.

Whenever Court TV's Janae travels to Minneapolis from her network's Atlanta headquarters to cover the case, she purposely visits the street corner where Floyd, a Black man, declared dead after the white police officer's knee was pressed to his neck for more than 9 minutes.

She's covered many trials but said the magnitude is different this time.

“I think people want to see a diversity of people covering this story because racial equality is at the heart of it _ the heart of the unrest and the heart of what pained people so much,” Janae said.

The journalists not only watch videos of Floyd's death

Nas, Eve, Snoop, Aaliyah's Mom React to Death of Rapper DMX

during the trial, they've had to study them. Before the trial, Brewster watched to count how many times Floyd said “I can't breathe,” how many times he called “Mama” and how long Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's neck.

For the most part, they go into reporter mode, concentrating on observing and figuring out what the day's story is going to be. Mel Reeves, a reporter for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, dismissed as “superfluous” a question about his feelings while covering the trial.

“I guess I have sort of compartmentalized what is happening,” said Brandt Williams, reporter for Minneapolis Public Radio. “It's like when a first responder comes across a scene that is bloody. You can set aside your feelings and do your job.”

Still, Sidner confessed on Twitter that “I'm a wreck y'all” on the day witness Charles McMillian cried on the stand when recalling Floyd's death.

Not everyone can watch. CNN commentator NiaMalika Henderson, who is not covering the trial, wrote that she avoids it in part because it reminds her of when her mother cried about the Rodney King verdict. Henderson confessed she's never seen the Floyd video.

The Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank, noted recently that mental health experts say repeated exposure to such disturbing scenes can be devastating. Journalists need to be reminded this also applies to them, “maybe especially to you,” and be able to recognize signs of trouble, Poynter said.

“Regardless of the arguments about how he died, you're still watching someone die,” Jenae said. “As humans, that's hard on anyone.”

MPR's Williams noted another sort of compartmentalizing that most white journalists on the story can't relate to.

“I know it's always a possibility that I could be one of those men winding up in a video at the hands of an officer, but it's not at the forefront of my mind,” he said.

A few months ago, Jenae said a viewer complimented her on conducting a fair interview with the brother of Thomas Lane, another former Minneapolis police officer who was fired after being on the scene the day of Floyd's

death.

The remark would have insulted her when she was younger, she said. Why wouldn't she conduct a fair interview? Because she's Black and Lane and his brother were white? Skin color was going to determine whether or not she could do her job?

Instead, she accepted it as an expression of empathy.

“What I hear most from viewers is they appreciate that it must be difficult to cover it as an unbiased journalist,” Jenae said.

If he has any bias, it's to make sure that Black people are portrayed as the complex, multi-faceted people they are, much more than the tropes that often show up in popular media, Williams said.

“I've always focused on letting my work speak for itself,” he said.

Reeves, whose newspaper is aimed at a Black audience, describes himself as an activist and doesn't pretend to be unbiased. His dispatch the day of McMillian's testimony read, “If the trial of Derek Chauvin ... was a sporting contest with the score kept at the day's end, the score would be witnesses and Black progressive humanity, one.

Chauvin and the system of policing, zero.”

He said his audience simply wants to see an end to police abuse.

“I'm writing from that perspective,” he said, “the people who are getting brutalized, who are catching hell and who have no confidence that this trial _ despite how it looks like now and despite all the points the prosecution is making – they have no confidence that Chauvin will go to jail. That's our reality.”

Sidner said her Twitter feed has become a forum for viewers to debate the case. It hasn't been abusive, except for one person who called her an “enemy of the people” because he disagreed with her analysis, she said.

At the end of the day, the journalists want to turn off the news. Brewster wants to laugh with friends, “because I realize I haven't had anything to laugh about that day.”

And those dogs that Sidner looks for to pet? It's to remind her that there is such a thing as unconditional love, she said.

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – “Schitt’s Creek” and “The Boys in the Band” were winners at the GLAAD Media Awards, which included soccer’s Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger calling for transgender students to be accepted as “part of the team” in sports.

Harris and Krieger, spouses who play for the Orlando Pride and were on the 2019 World Cup-winning U.S. women’s national team, presented an award in Thursday’s virtual ceremony to the film “Happiest Season,” about a lesbian romance.

The couple drew attention to transgender athletes amid widespread efforts to restrict their participation, including a recently signed Mississippi bill that bans them from competing on girls or women’s sports teams. It becomes law July 1.

“Trans students want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong,” Krieger said.

Added Harris: “We shouldn’t discriminate against kids and ban them from playing because they’re transgender.”

“Star Trek: Discovery,” “I May Destroy You” and “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” were among the other projects honored in the pre-taped ceremony hosted by Niecy Nash.

It’s available on Hulu through June.

The GLAAD awards, in their 32nd year, recognize what the media advocacy organization calls “fair, accurate, and inclusive” depictions of LGBTQ people and issues.

Presenters and winners in this year’s event highlighted priorities including the importance of solidarity and selfrespect.

“Friends, I’m so proud to stand with the LGBTQ community tonight, just as the LGBTQ community stands with Black and diverse communities,” said Sterling K. Brown, who presented the outstanding documentary award to “Disclosure.”

The “This Is Us” star, citing the Black Lives Matter and Black Trans Lives Matter movements, said that “we’re going to keep spreading that message of unity and justice until every one of us is safe to live the lives we love.”

JoJo Siwa, the teenage YouTube personality and performer, presented the award for outstanding children’s programming to “The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo.” She said in January that she’s part of the LGBTQ community.

“I have the best, most amazing, wonderful girlfriend in the entire world who makes me so, so, so happy and that’s all that matters,” Siwa said. “It’s really cool that kids all around the world who look up to me can now see that loving who you want to love is totally awesome” and should be celebrated.

Other awards went to Sam Smith, who was honored as outstanding music artist for the album “Love Goes”; Chika, named breakthrough music artist for “Industry Games,” and “We’re Here” won outstanding reality program.

Cast members from “Glee,” including Chris Colfer, Amber Riley and Jane Lynch, paid tribute to Naya Rivera and her character in the series, gay cheerleader Santana Lopez. Rivera, 33, died in an accidental drowning in July 2020.

A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Features

Blacks Illegally Lost Land Bruce’s Beach Is Just One Example in California Continued from page A1

the wrongs before you talk about reparations. That’s how you repair everything that happened afterward. You have to ask and wonder why there’s not massive wealth passed down from California’s early African American pioneers,” Burgess continued.

Like Burgess, descendants of other Californians whose ancestors’ properties were unlawfully seized or stolen, are beginning to speak up. They are demanding restitution for their losses. With the backing of some lawmakers, advocates and historians, these incidents involving direct land theft, intimidation, coercion, and more, will likely become cases to investigate as California begins to wrestle with its history of slavery and discrimination and how those forces have impacted African Americans throughout the history of the state – and still contribute to racial inequity today.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 3121 into law. Former Assemblymember and current California Secretary of State Shirley Weber authored the landmark law which mandates the creation of a committee to study Californians involvement in slavery and discrimination and make recommendations for how African Americans can be compensated for injustices sanctioned or committed by government.

On April 9, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced that the county will return a plot of Manhattan Beach land to the family of the Black couple who purchased Bruce’s Beach in 1912 for $1,225.

But last week the City Council of Manhattan Beach, a mostly-White city in southern Los Angeles County, voted to issue a statement of acknowledgement and condemnation,” stopping short of voting to apologize to the Bruce’s descendants.

There is also support in the California Legislature.

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) has announced new legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 796. It would exempt the Bruce’s Beach property from state zoning and development restrictions and enable the county to return the site to its rightful owners. The legislation is co-authored by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance).

After the Bruces bought the ocean-view parcel of land, which was considered a remote area at the time, they began operating Bruce’s Lodge and managed to construct a boarding space, an entertainment facility, café, and tents for changing clothing along with bathing suits for rent.

Attracting African American beachgoers, the business incensed White neighbors who began buying property around the beach or posting No Trespassing signs near the

front entrance of the beach, forcing guests to walk nearly two miles to get to and from the resort. There was also an arson attack on the resort reportedly committed by local members of Ku Klux Klan.

In Tulare County, the historic African American farming town of Allensworth suffered a similar fate to Bruce’s Beach. It was the first municipality in California to be founded, financed and governed by Blacks with its own schools, library, church, hotels and businesses.

Founded by Allen Allensworth, a man who born into slavery in Louisville, Kentucky in 1842, and later became a Colonel in the U.S. Army and the highest-ranking Black officer when he retired in 1906, the town had as many as 300 residents during its peak in the 1920s. But by 1925, a company called the Pacific Farming Company that was responsible for supplying irrigation water to the town, did not.

The lack of water affected the townspeople livelihood and the farmers’ productivity in the Central California town, and a lengthy and expensive legal dispute ensued between Allensworth and the company, which depleted all of the town’s resources. The residents and nearby farmers soon abandoned their land and slowly left the area in search of employment elsewhere.

Then, there’s the city of Folsom, 20 miles east of Sacramento. Parts of that city sits on land purchased

by Joseph Libbey Folsom from the estate of William Leidesdorff, a wealthy African American merchant from San Francisco.

Leidesdorff obtained and owned the property from a Mexican land grant called “Rancho Rio de Los Americanos,” which was initially the city’s name before it was changed to Folsom. When Leidesdorff, 38, passed away in 1848 of Typhoid fever, his estate was passed on to his mother Anna Marie Sparks, and relatives who were living on the Island of St. Croix, according to the book, “William Alexander Leidesdorff - First Black Millionaire, American Consul and California Pioneer.”

Folsom went to St. Croix to negotiate a price to purchase land located on the American River near the Sierra Nevada and close to a boom town where some Blacks became involved in gold mining. On Nov. 3, 1849, The two parties settled that Leidesdorff’s family would receive $75,000 for the land. Sparks received the first installment of $5,000, but she refused the second amount of $35,000 when she learned that Folsom’s valuation of the land she owned was below the market rate. She filed a lawsuit against Folsom, but California law ruled in his favor.

By then, people in the area had already began calling a Klan to railroad our people out of there.” portion of the estate “Negro Bar,” an area on the American River where Black people were designated to live in tents and mining camps.

After the Black miners were forced to move, Folsom renamed the town Granite City. After his passing in 1855 at the age of 38, Granite City was renamed in Folsom’s honor. When Folsom took full control of Leidesdorff’s estate, the land’s value increased exponentially and made him a millionaire, according to Leidesdorff’s biography.

“Ms. Sparks was not well educated and could not read well,” said Shonna McDaniel, who operates the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum in Sacramento. “I believe he took an advantage of her, manipulating her into believing the land was worthless. It was just another way to take something of value in California.”

Both Allensworth and Negro Bar are California State Parks now.

Back in Los Angeles County, Hahn describes the arc of the Bruces’ story – from business savvy entrepreneurs for their time and resources to their sad fate -- as an “American Dream that turned into a nightmare.”

The parcel the Bruce’s bought was dormant for almost 30 years before it was opened as a park in the 1960s. It was renamed Bruce’s Beach in 2007.

“This land was taken from the Bruce family because they were Black and, before it was stolen, was one of the precious few beaches Black families could enjoy,” Hahn said. “When I realized that the county now had ownership of the Bruce family’s original property, I felt there was nothing else to do but to give it back to its rightful owners.

Bruce’s Beach Park is currently housing L.A. County’s lifeguard training facility.

Last week, Bradford, who is chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and an appointee to the state’s still-forming reparations task force, held a press conference to share details about SB 796.

“There comes a time when someone must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor proper,” said Bradford, quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. “He must take it because his conscience tells him it’s the right thing to do.”

He said the bill “would finally allow Bruce’s Beach to be returned to its rightful owners.”

L.A. County Board of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, L.A. County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby, former Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward, Justice for Bruce’s Beach Founder Kavon Ward, and Bruce family representative Duane Shephard, all attended the news conference, along with Bradford, Hahn and Muratsuchi.

“We’re not looking for an apology. We want our property back. We want restitution for the loss of revenue for 96 years from the generational wealth that would have been built up,” Shepherd said on MSNBC two days after the news conference. “We want punitive damages from the city of Manhattan Beach City Council and the police department at that time for colluding with the Ku Klux (Photo credit: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

(Photo Image of the deed of trust courtesy of Jonathan Burgess)

End COVID-19 Wear a Mask Social Distance Get Vaccinated WE ARE ALMOST THERE!

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Sports

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Lakers Working Hard to Move Up Markieff Morris (8) reaches for the layup against the Nets in Brooklyn. (Photo Credit: Rohan Ali/NBA E)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The NBA season is winding down and the Lakers are trying like heck to gain the highest spot in the playoffs.

Without stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis they’ve shown inconsistency. Recently in New York they were a Jekyll and Hyde team.

While taking on Brooklyn in a tight 64-62 game in the third Lakers guard Dennis Schroder and the Nets Kyrie Irving were ejected in the third period. Schroder had scored 19 in the first half and Irving left with 18.

Andre Drummond quickly gathered those on the floor in a huddle and said, “Don’t let them get momentum off this.”

The visitors quickly took advantage of it as the outscored the Nets 60-39 the rest of the way. The defense tightened up

allowing the Nets just 10 points from the ten-minute mark in the third. Drummond was a force on the inside finishing with 20 points and 11 boards.

“Were playing scrappy as hell defensively,” said coach Frank Vogal. “There are some other things we need to work on.”

Ben Mclemore playing in just his second game as a Laker hit five three-point shots in the second half and finished with 17.That led to a 126-101 win against the team without James Harden.

Two nights later they traveled crosstown and fell to the Knicks 111-96. Markeif Morris led the team is scoring with 17 as they had five players in double figures. Kyle Kuzma (14) returned after missing the last two games with a muscle strain. Drummond 10 rebounds led the team.

The big problem was turnovers they had a season high 25 this game. They were 18 points converted from those.

“Really poor passing and bad decisions and you have to give some credit to the defense,” said Vogel.

It was the ninth time this season they had 20 in a game. The Lakers are averaging an NBA worst 15.8 turnovers a game. When you look a the bottom ten in the league only Philly and the L.A. have winning records. The Lakers are .500 3-3 (at press time) on the current seven game road trip.

Against Miami Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led all scorers with 28 points and Andre Drummond added 15 to go with 12 rebounds. The team had six players score in double-digits but the downfall was 22 turnovers in a 110-104 loss to the Heat.

According to ESPN it appears Davis will be back in two weeks and LeBron about a week later.

Bruins Take Series from Ducks Delanie Wisz had a big weekend at the plate for the Bruins going to “Rip City”with a three run homer.

(Photo Credit: UCLA Athletics

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The UCLA softballers took three of four from Oregon #3.

They dropped the first game of the series 3-0 as Brooke Ynez (14-0)only allowed 2 hits in the Bruins first loss in a month.

The neat day the Bruins bounced back by sweeping the double header 3-0 and 9-3.In the first game all the scoring was done in the first inning as Allyiah Jordan hit a solo homer. Later that was followed by a two-run homer by Rachael Garcia who also knocked in Brianna Perez who reached after being hit by a pitch.

Garcia (5-0) also pitched a seven-inning shutout out dueling Ynez 14-1 handing her the loss of the season.

In the second game the Bruins broke loose with 4 runs in the 6th a Gargia singled up the middle scoring Seneca Curo who came into pinch run for Jordan after being hit by a pitch. Later in the inning Delanie went to “Rip City” launching a three-run

blast scoring Snow and Perez to make it 8-3.

In t hen in the 7th Maya Brady scored on a Kinsley Washington blast. Holly Azevedo (4-0) got the win going seven striking out eight while scattering 8 hits.

On Sunday UCLA came away with a 6-2 win to take the series three games to two.

ADD LADY BRUINS: Rachael Garcia was named PAC-12 Player of THE WEEK. The Super Senior had a hit in all four games -going 4 for 13 with 2 homers and 5 RBI’s . On Sunday Garcia went “UPTOWN ‘ with the go ahead two-run homer to give her team a 3-2 lead and an eventual 6-2 win. I n the circle she got all three wins posting a1.00 ERA striking out 17 in 14 innings. She presently has a 0-55 ERA and a 6-0 record. She has earned PAC 12 Player of The Week two times to go wit a PA12 Pitcher of the Week a record 12 times.

UCLA will host Oregon State in a four- game series this weekend.

Rachael Garcia was named PAC-12 Player of the week. The “Super” Senior had a hit in all four games going 4 for 13 with 2 homers and 5 RBI’s. In the circle she got all three wins posting a1.00 ERA striking out 17 in 14 innings. (Photo Credit: Don Liebig/ uclabruins.com)

Dodgers Sweep it Up at Home

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It’s been a long time coming for the World Champion L.A. Dodgers playing in front of their fans after winning the World Series. They finished off the first home-stand by sweeping Washington.

The series finale featured two future Hall of Fame pitchers lefty Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer of the Nationals. They both went six innings with Kershaw (2-1) scattering five hits, striking out 6, no walks on 85 pitches. Meanwhile Scherzer allowed three hits, one earned run ,a walk while striking out five on 90 pitches in front of 15,049 at Chavez Ravine.

The man that stood out offensively was the Zach McKinstry.

The Dodgers rookie hit a two-out run coring double off Scherzer in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Then in the seventh after a Chris Taylor single he went to “Rip City” with a two-run homer off reliever Tanner Rainey giving L.A. a 3-0 lead that would end all scoring. Kenley Jansen came in and retired three in a row for the save. That helped complete a three-game sweep on the first home stand of the season.

“It feels great to be in front of our fans again,” said Kershaw.

“I can’t wait to get more back in the seats. The crafty veteran now sports a 2.89 ERA in three starts this season.

The team has been helped a lot by McKinstry, the 25yearold is batting .321 with two homers and four doubles he also leads the team with 10 RBI’s (at press time). He’s filled in for Mookie Betts and Corey Bellinger and been clutch with two-out hits. Betts is out with back stiffness and Bellinger has a calf injury.

“He’s a baseball player I think that’s the best complement

you can give someone who has played our game,” added Kershaw.

The Dodgers had a lot going on aside the games they actually had play. Opening night was the World Series ring ceremony when the team came away with a 1-0 win over the Nationals.

Justin Turner had three hits including a solo homer to lead L.A. to the win in the teams first game at Chavez Ravine since they won the title last year.

Walker Buehler (1-0) pitched six solid innings allowing just six hits, striking out four and had no walks. In the ninth Corey Knebel struck out the side to get the save for Buehler.

“Were deep and talented, that’s what we are all about here,” said Buehler. “We know that anybody in there is going to play well and we are pleased with the group we have and where we are.”

DODGER NOTES: Jansen got his second save of the season striking out two of the three batters he faced. “I saw the stuff he had he was hitting all his spots,” said skipper Dave Roberts. The team has called up outfielder Luke Raley. They have placed Cody Bellenger on the injured list with a calf contusion, retroactive to April 6.This will be Raley’s whose 26 first time in his career he’ll be on a MLB roster. In the minors he hit 288 with 46 homers and 178 RBI’s while playing 347 games. He was acquired by the DODGERS from Minnesota February 10,2020... Bellinger was batting 211 in four games had a double, triple and two RBI’s before landing on the injured list. The 2019 National League MVP has batted 272 with 123 homers and 320 RBI’s in his five years with the DODGERS. The 2017 Rookie Of The Year was a fourth-round pick from Hamilton high.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Chargers Weekly- Brandon Staley Talks Free-Agency

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Each time we get a chance to meet with newly signed Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley, I feel smarter afterward. Although these meetings have been over Zoom, we won’t know how his message has been received by the players until they get on the grass during OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) and Training Camp before the kickoff of the 2021 NFL season.

Coach Staley, and his coaching staff, consider themselves educators of the game and I am sure they are just as eager to see how their message will be received during this pandemic we are managing through. Last week was our most recent opportunity to talk with Coach Staley and understand his logic for making the Free Agent acquisitions they did.

There was a deluge of information shared with us during this conference call with Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley and this article will share with you some of the pertinent takeaways as I heard it.

Staley responded as you may have guessed when asked about the depth at Safety position stating, “I don’t think you could have enough DB’s in the current NFL. What you have to defend and who you have to defend I think having DB’s on your team, a lot of depth at that position is a great idea. Where it also impacts your team, is in the kicking game. The more DB’s you have on your roster that are quality players, the more impact they have in the kicking game.” In translation, they will be using many defensive backs in the kickoffs teams and punt teams with the intention of

them being to cover effectively and tackle.

Coach Staley made it clear that he will not be using the term Outside Linebackers, when he stated “Guys that’s what we’re going to call them, we’re going to call the EDGE players if that’s ok with you. Joey Bosa is an EDGE player for us, Ucheena Nwosu is an EDGE player for us.” Translation, the role and expectation of an EDGE player and the Outside Linebacker won’t change, only how this coaching staff will refer to this position.

I suspect they would be looking for a Tight End in the draft.

Although Jared Cook is an NFL veteran, I don’t think he is an adequate replacement for Hunter Henry. Now Hunter Henry, at 26-years-old, would have been more expensive as he signed a 3 year deal for $37,500,000.00 deal with the New England Patriots. In comparison to 34-year-old Jared Cook who signed a 1 year deal for $4,500,000.00.

Therefore, I was looking to hear what type of tight end he favored, so I could project one they would pick in the draft. I got was much more than that when I asked, what does the ideal Tight End look like to him? “There’s different sizes now; on the line Y tight ends or F tight ends where you move guys off the line, guys that can play detached from the formation. That’s a position that has become a hybrid position of sorts. You kind of categorize the tight ends as Y only, then you got guys who are F only and you have guys who can do either, Y and F.” “I think what you’re starting for at tight-end is the ability to have value in the passing game. What type of receiver is he; Is he a vertical threat; is he a level 1, level 2 threat; is he a separator? How does he catch the ball

in traffic; Can he split out from the formation; how does he play as a wideout? A lot of those things go into the evaluation.”

Coach Staley wasn’t done describing how he sees the tight-

Ty Nowell captures a moment from Brandon Staley’s first day in the Chargers facility. (Photo Credit: @ tynowell Twitter)

end position folks, “Then at the point of attack, how is he at the line of scrimmage; how is off the line of scrimmage? How is his balance and body control working across the formation or in combination with people as a blocker? From there you talk about his pass protection ability. If you have a deep room (tight end room) and a versatile room it creates an advantage for you schematically.”

If you haven’t noticed quite yet, the Chargers have hired a very sharp guy to coach their team. In addition to being a smart guy and great communicator, he appears to be a people person as well. While I love all the technical football talk, my favorite quote of the day was when he said, “If you invest in people, you’re going to get a lot in return!” He said this about how he’s developed relationships with players he’s coached in the past.

One thing is for sure, there will be ‘no dumb jocks’ playing on this iteration of the Chargers. Kindly share your thoughts with us on your impression of the Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley. You can reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms; Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and, iHeart Radio to name a few. On our Podcast, we have passionate banter about various NFL storylines, while addressing the multitude of NBA topics.

A6

Local

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, April 15, 2021

California Eyes Future With No Pandemic as Vaccine Efforts Expand Bo Tefu California Black Media California is taking steps to reopen its economy on June 15. The plans are underway as leaders in public health and local government come up with the next steps in the state’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Efforts to reopen the state are, “driven by the health and science to help nonprofit community organizations and businesses get back on track,” said Dee Dee Myers, director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

So far, the state has administered 22 million vaccines since it expanded its efforts to immunize everyone in California against COVID-19. A fifth of the vaccine doses were allocated to communities most impacted by the pandemic. According to the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), the number of hospitalizations has declined as testing increases and vaccine eligibility expands.

Now, state officials aim to move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a system Gov. Gavin Newsom put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections and implement updated public health safety measures in all 58 counties. A part of the state’s game plan is to end the Blueprint system provided that businesses and public spaces adhere to ‘common-sense’ public health policies, including the various tiers outlined for outdoor activities.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of CHHS, said that health equity is a critical piece of the puzzle that will keep the momentum for reopening moving in the right direction.

“We’re still focused on making sure hard-hit communities get vaccines made available to them in convenient ways,” said Dr. Ghaly.

State officials said that the pandemic did not affect California communities equally, even though the state implemented equity metrics for underserved communities. According to the California Healthy Places Index (HPI), 40 percent of COVID-19 cases and deaths occurred in low-income communities.

“We believe that there’s still significant demand for the vaccine, so we’re ensuring that providers in hard-hit communities are the ones that are moving forward,” said Dr. Ghaly.

The state partnered with over 180 community-based organizations and health care centers for community outreach to dispel vaccine hesitancy.

“Californians are still very interested in getting vaccinated, we’re seeing improvements in what some people call vaccine hesitancy as more communities get information and their questions answered, so that they feel confident moving forward with vaccines,” said Dr. Ghaly.

Public health officials will continue to closely monitor the state’s progress by tracking data on vaccine distribution and

COVID-19 test results to achieve its goal of reopening in midJune of this year.

People in California will still be required to wear masks as well as get tested or vaccinated depending on their occupation, as part of the state’s ‘common-sense’ health measures. The state’s long-term plans to get the economy up and running also includes allowing large-scale outdoor events to take place.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state is confident about reopening the economy as people, “continue the practices that got us here.”

“We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic,” said Gov. Newsom.

California’s public health agencies say they are committed to tracking and containing new variants as government leaders move forward with plans to reopen the economy, state officials said.

Extension of large-scale pilot vaccine sites The state recently extended the use of the nation’s first mass vaccination sites at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum and California State University Los Angeles.

The pilot sites operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Oakland and Los Angeles aim to accelerate the state’s goal to safely reopen schools and the economy.

According to data from FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), both sites have administered more than half a million vaccine doses since they opened in February this year.

In the Bay Area, state officials partnered with Alameda County and Contra Costa County to keep the sites running for vaccine distribution.

Keith Carson, president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, said the Oakland Coliseum site has administered more than 100,000 doses to residents in the county.

“Having a mix of large vaccination sites, alongside smaller community sites and mobile pop-ups, is critical for our vaccination infrastructure and meeting our goals for equitable distribution,” said Carson.

The Oakland-based vaccination site is set to operate for an extended period of four weeks. State officials said that the site will deliver approximately 6,000 vaccines on a daily basis.

Diane Burgis, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, said that the partnership, “will provide additional resources for mobile vaccine clinics that can go where we need them most.”

The two counties continue to promote equitable vaccine distribution for local residents seeing that, “many of them are teachers and frontline essential workers from some of our hardesthit neighborhoods,” said Burgis.

California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

The Music Center’s Spotlight Program Selects Finalists

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Los Angeles- The future of performance arts is in good hands because of the commitment and dedication of upcoming young artists. It does my heart good to witness the young artists performing live before an appreciative audience. Following two rounds of virtual auditions, The Music Center has selected semifinalist in the Music Center’s 33rd annual Spotlight Program, a free nationally acclaimed arts training and scholarship program for teens.

A TMC Arts program, Spotlight offers valuable performance opportunities, audition experience and mentorship, plus technical and artistic insights taught by professional artists and arts administrators, and awards more than $100,000 in scholarships each year. The Music Center named 16 semi-finalists in each of seven categories- acting, ballet, dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrument, and jazz instrumental.

This year, nearly 1,500 teens representing more than 275 schools, 194 cities, and 8 counties auditioned for the prestigious program. All Spotlight applicants received written feedback from distinguished panels of judges following each audition round to help students improve and gain knowledge in their respective performance discipline.

Since it’s launch in 1988, Spotlight has transformed the lives of 51,000 high school students from Santa Barbara to San Diego, by being more than just a competition. An important part of The Music Center’s fundamental support for arts learning, the program provides students the opportunity to develop their performance abilities, receive valuable college preparedness skills and gain confidence to pursue their dreams in the performance arts through a supportive environment. Students also important life skills including building self-esteem, preparation, and perseverance, that benefit the participants beyond the stage.

Notable Spotlight alumni include the Tony Award® winner Lindsey Mendez, American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer Misty Copeland, Emmy® award winning composer Kris Bowers and major recording artists Josh Groban and Adam Lambert, among many others. Recent Spotlight finalist appeared as guest performers during Groban’s first livestream Holiday concert in December 2020, which was viewed by an international audience.

who share their expertise on performances technique training and professional life. Experts provide students with highly valuable feedback on their performance, offering them a rich learning experience. Each semi-finalist will audition virtually again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers from each category. The Grand Prize Finalist will

“While arts learning remains under pressure in school’s budgets, The Music Center’s Spotlight is a vibrant program that serves as essential needs. Spotlight participants receive multiple opportunities to perform in front of professional experts who provide personalized and precise feedback that other free programs just don’t offer,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “Spotlight is a year-long journey with a lifetime of benefits for these young students. We are very proud that our program offers a comprehensive learning experience that nurtures young artists’ aspirations and support the next generation of performers and arts professionals.”

“Spotlight is completely free with no financial barriers to participate, which give equal footing to kids looking to make their dreams come true, no matter their talent level,” added Jeri’ Gaile, director of The Music Center’s Spotlight program. “Each round in the audition process is a little different so that the knowledge and connections each participant makes compound, especially as the semi-finalist attend mastery classes. Spotlight is very much an exploration of artistic skills and the student’s capacity to grow as individuals. We absolutely love seeing them shine throughout the process and over the years that they participate.”

Spotlight semi-finalists have the rare opportunity to attend mastery classes in the discipline with highly regarded artists,

Waters Statement on Police Shooting of Daunte Wright WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (DCA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued a statement on the police killing of Daunte Wright.

“I am deeply horrified by yet another police killing of an unarmed black man – no more than 14 miles from where Derek Chauvin stands trial for the murder of George Floyd. Despite the worldwide protests and the increased scrutiny of policing practices, Daunte Wright, a young man who so feared for his life that he called his mother during the stop, is dead following what was just a minor traffic incident. Daunte’s mother now joins a painfully long list of women whose children have fallen victim to emboldened police officers who hide behind their badge.

“It is the unfortunate reality that driving while Black, running while Black, walking while Black, sitting in your vehicle while Black, bird watching while Black, serving in the military while Black, and quite frankly – doing anything that any other person could do, but doing it while Black, is dangerous and all too often ends in death. How many more of our sons and daughters must die for a so-called traffic violation? How many of our neighbors must die for a so-called counterfeit bill?

“It is worth mentioning that hundreds of men and women – domestic terrorists – armed with weapons, explosives, and military gear, vandalized our nation’s Capitol, endangered the lives of many elected officials, and were allowed to leave the scene, flying home to brag about what they had done. Our country’s

two-tiered justice system has been laid bare before the world and it is not enough to offer thoughts and prayers.

There must be swift action to completely transform our criminal justice system. It is broken. The Senate must therefore act now to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. “In this moment of immense pain for our community, and as people peacefully protest against this century’s long injustice, I stand with you, committed as ever to push forward legislative solutions in the Congress that adequately address the terror we are facing in our communities.”

perform in The Music Center’s Spotlight Virtual Grand Finale Performance on May 22, 2021, premiering on the Music Center’s Offstage digital platform at 7:00pm.

For more information about The Music Center’s Spotlight Program, visit https://musiccenter.org/Spotlight of join the conversation on Facebook.com/MusicCenter Spotlight