VALLEY'S 6.18.20 4C

se

old Cooper. ea ican-Americ in han an death roquadruple The allegeddcuffs and ha New w inmate in ci Cooper’s 1som’s decision could d en Flori t wa making ouda Today reports t Hills famil 985 conviction in lead to the overtu t. y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o li th ri E of ng of a ru has the ti say t nough Of Y eir 11-y our Love”esan Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino da s.

The case cal watcher s say, to d Both the C ivide alifornia an and more th d nited S past appeals an a dozen lower U tates suprem courts hav . e rejected Ce courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g uilt igh-profile said in his terest. N executive oor inse free 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer 1.ew Get the appca for by downloading th at Y h o as rk d rder rawn intern Times’ colu Sen. Kamal at m Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your it from Google Play or The Apple App a io n is H n al t arri Nic in have all ca lled for res -tand reality TV starholas Kristof, U.S.tablet or smartphone. forensic Store technology. esting using curr Kim Kardashian SUL ent, more The ACLU gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P se n si an ti ve groups hav d other hu mattress befbroke into a Louisiaol man rights e also urged o n a deeper in an C d alifornia st Serving the San Fernando News ouretl officers arrested ha ves gation ate officialsos cial justice et into Cooper s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o Valley for Over 35 Years es te to m Mel E launch ’s con m’s tion issu st in ThSuulphu officers saan by formerorder Friday expandviction. w Jeremie es rsday test four ed s G p co o Moran wal re v. st vious direc ume. They rry Brown kin lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe h ad in so rece D ember n looking in to an orange sts to perform DNe evidence. Brownec to homes.ived calls a ’s E to A o st es prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tan rder al- bo proached bsays Moran ran in dle dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; to u was disco R In this new used in theand sheath of a hat y ch en ar ’s ges inclutdin vered hidain chet Joshua Ryen, the home with a tota murders. investigatio of hair from g re tr sistin y, meth poss lo vic wound on button Co the victims’ hannd, analysts will look his throat.tims’ 8-year-old sofn143 stab wounds. ing in the sion and wg an offic In Louisiaes at strands tack. oper’s attorn s, blood sam , H S su an e ff w B er as tigators pla er ed n th n a, a personearing a m the allegatio ar a e only surv ples and a g ey N in public ca After Coop convicte ns Cooperd’sino County are not ivor of theslash D.A reen n Angeles Co nted at the sceneorman Hile mainta b e m er .’s o su at s’ st at legally stay s jail break rprised abo office. Man . Exception sentenced to th torneys are vestigation unty Superior Couof the crime. A reins inves- al ed , u s ra y in t m ar in ci v o h ak e es al f o allowed for re a ho lidays like H tigat th biases and . so y they tire rt judge wil frequently ing about their relig discriminem alloween an found eviduse next door to thoers found, he il- complaints l oversee thd Los familsa Cooper, 61 co m It at p ’s la io d Mardi G unclear if M ence in the y’s station w in about are handled n in the w e invictims. Th , has main years. His la g an m R g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n st n ’s eir cases or se tor Mic has a lawy last month that tied C h For some, G

by Gov. N wyers hope the resu ed his innocence , a San Ber ooper to thome and in the under presscu hael Selyem ov. Newsom ewso over Observer lts ure for mak nardino the case Newspapers eCalifornia , m w hel31 ’s e oinf g in Group u Volume 35 Number of Southern Thursday, June 18, 2020 h o rd o p p o rd n er is is er s. so rove theirm, which could taokfe the re-testing orderth in W b

to ci eing et w the mu er client’s inn ed him. ith dismayb. roaden DNA test- chelle Oal media. His insultgscrude and racist anhdite, resigned s Joshua m ocence ansedveral months, will porters of rd bam ta eted fo The lone su comments R y en an th B d e rm fi lack shooti a, U,S. Rep. Maxrg In 1 rvivor nally exon ine Waters er First Lady Ming victim. erate they are disappoRinyens and Hughesfaalmily, friends and su on four co9u85, a San Diego Co and an unn “Unfortunat ted with the gov l across the state p- Lo Thomas R. Parker amed 26 and an nts of murder. At unty jury convicte s Angeles o ernor’s decis , el sa a y, fo y fo es th d r o rm ca v C ju e er ti o p er st o ed m ti ic ffi per d m io e of his arre e ep ce cord - inclu prison inm n in e , u . it b ty th el se is h ie ems the vic ead of the This guy is ves Cooper case matte st, he was no District A FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim “Prior DN ttorney Jason Arsnless and less,” Santims’ desire “The evidence w innocent,” he told. ries and the ania – did in al re as A B th d er o not help his te er e p n n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d st th aimed ou Y , he was fr and.” case. inor erly named in 1958 ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. amed, theork Times.

What has k per’s guilw e him have t, agreed to cops lied t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe al e d an eral appella l confirmed case going d nsylvania. was born Y et p During his , he was adopted an te er M an su W ec co r. d as ution and re hen he was urt Cooive argumen C LAKE FOR six monies and iew the ca’ssedecision in 2004 toooper alive - is and he spenchildhood, his par d renamed Kevin ts ased on Gov. Newvso EST ents physica is recoverin w stay his exCooper. reasonable qualeslegations of evidenbce t a good p co it h n fl m ic juvenile det o ti m re n D ’s g sc g after bei,nCalif. (AP) – Offici ar

N ll d te ti ie t ta y ec A o n st o m n ab ti is if g te s p fi io at ad u ab st er c en y se n o o in o ev in o rs d ti n le u to g g id o g struck by u t sc h ro , n se co th en im k al en ad in South centers. In a mental d to ail Co ee e ethods low another m ce. ce living in a polic ern Californ and storiesp raising California Governoes early in the term oper. Threm several attack, and in nsw round of L ag Californiah. ealth facility in Pen1982, Cooper esca u n e h in r a av w w o v Beach P . eapons wer f the NASHVILLE estie high expec hose suppo orn testimo – th Ae statue of former KKK leader iaand ped from three attacker nsylvania b p o ro li O g ce re e rt ra u ta ss O er n n se iv ti ffi g y, s d o e e on thConfederate s who were cer inThomas efore movin n Jo Duri CoForrest unty Rthat e political Lsoldier Nathan someoBedford egishas White. Heshua Ryen said hein the solve “DNA testing shs.o g to could have been H ne’40 ter been gued that nCg his murder trial, ef s pyears he inby t Ffor et whcould saw later testified uld immed it the Tennessee capitol over be replaced th is en p e o p an o R ro eb th F p ic y se u . e er en . rt 1 cu ca k 9 h iately takanother Ryen, their illed husban t darted inially th case and fi . tors succes er complica that they Chiang sa famous Tennessean. an e sf n p 1 ti d n al 0 la u id n am -y an ll ly ce g y d ea d M th ed D ensure just uring the ca tolawmakers arr-o w e rosecuti cGuire says options to replace front neighbor C re- th are considering that DNA ice isLocal ons’ claims, mpaign. “N hristopherld daughter Jessica ifane Doug and Peggy belonging toiana Roper came foprw when he go ev e se an id rv en im ed ce al was bDolly ,” b a h o Hughes. Po ca d an 11-yea ut testing in t oone womer former b t onForrest ard with blo n help law ut to chec according to reports, Parton ly is it pand igger th r-old inal. She turned lice found o A en th o y an a hisouse ro n fr d is fo im y v ie en rc al Control emencandidate. the evidence nd who was a vio clothing the bloodie Even thou case would come t cat. so to lv o an e ffi cr ce an im d destroyed it. g rsyear at no cost to The Tennessean len imal h es over to the rushthat is hDecember ed the ble o sp reported in last it al the state.”, trau police, buttcrim- issubold, he is treadinNgewsom’s decision in African Am , w m h a. Faison was the first ereperson it was to they ericans, His carefu e that theRepublican Rep. Jeremy diagnose Cooper castate Dr. Kri panics and seidea of watching. California voters acllroy on a potentialbring st i K up the removing the statue that’s been in the ra other mino ly u sh se p He is keep e , o ss a ex la v th ri p et ec zi e er n p rities liv- C ts inarianof g bac 1978. Faison oliti spec building the 1said ing his focu 1-pohe , tells th ontinued uncould trum are since k into the w d (5-k“think s on fairncaesl capitol ilogram) ca on page A il people deserving of that post” before suggesting d s100 af andother te t to r 2 M it justic cGu e vand e ofthher popularity ns stand isited rength.

Parton because status asre agailocal at if he seir th e b o b es ca t on Friday it again, he’ national role model. e a right ticket for ja.

“If we want to preserve history, then let’s lltellisitsuthe Robert Fuller, Palmdale resident found hanging Malcolm Harsch, the Victorville man found hanging way,” said Faison. “How about getting a lady in there? My from a tree. (Courtesy Photo) from tree. (Courtesy Photo) daughter is 16, and I would love for her to come into the Capitol and see a lady up there... What’s wrong with someone Ebone Monet and Antonio Ray Harvey Last Friday, authorities in Palmdale told people who like Dolly Parton being put in that alcove?”

California Black Media crowed into a City Council meeting on Friday that there is no Lately there has been mounting pressure to downplay Author and investigative journalist Ida B. Wells- security footage from outside of city hall.

Nathan Bedford Forrest’s legacy in Tennessee, in the wake of Barnett, a staunch crusader against lynching at the turn of Activists are also calling on the New York Police George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement. the last century, would likely have been included among the Department to conduct a deeper investigation into the death of Parton has not commented publicly on the idea. hundreds of thousands of people calling for a an unidentified Black man who authorities say died from another thorough investigation into recent hanging deaths of two Black apparent suicide. He was discovered hanging from a tree in a park men in California and another in New York. in the Inwood neighborhood of northern Manhattan near the Protestors left flowers and candles around the tree Wells-Barnett (July 16, 1862 - March 25, 1931) led one of Hudson River during the early morning hours of June 9. the most aggressive anti-lynching campaigns through the Black Investigators in New York are conducting an autopsy to get that Robert Fuller was found hanging from in Palmdale, CA. (Photo by Taisha Brown) press, beginning in the 1890s right up to her death about 40 years to the root of his cause of death. later. Wells wrapped statistics in touching stories that personalized On Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva the brutal lynchings and other race-based crimes happening in announced that State Attorney General Xavier Becerra will Victor Valley News that law enforcement’s assessment of suicide towns across the Deep South, bringing them to the attention of “monitor” the Fuller investigation. On Twitter Villanueva possibly linked to the coronavirus was off base.

“He didn’t seem to be depressed to anyone who truly knew people across the country and in other parts of the world. described his choice to bring in Becerra as part of his “commitment him. Everyone who knew our brother was shocked to hear that Now more than 150 years later, Los Angeles County called to transparency”. in California state Attorney General Xavier Becerra to keep On Monday, Becerra told California Black Media he he allegedly hung himself and don’t believe it to be true as well as the people who were there when his body was discovered. The an eye on the investigation of a Palmdale man found hanging dispatched a team of investigators to Palmdale.

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, MI (AP) – A minorityfrom a tree last week.

“They will assess what has been done so far by the local explanation of suicide does not seem plausible,” it reads, owned financial services company is taking over a popcorn Sheriff Villanueva scheduled a virtual town hall on Monday.

Although local authorities have listed suicide as the likely investigators, with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, and we business in Detroit that lost major clients after its owner cause of death in both instances, people in California and across will assist moving forward,” said Becerra. “We are an independent He said residents can talk with law enforcement and get more the county are demanding more transparency in the investigations agency and our work we do on behalf of the Department of information about the case. posted a racially charged comment online that trivialized the In both Palmdale and Victorville authorities say the of the separate hanging deaths of the African American men.

Justice — and we will do that as best we can.” killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

On May 31, San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies responded A “Justice for Robert Fuller” petition has nearly reached investigations are ongoing.

Harris Financial Group announced Thursday that it During her life, Wells-Barnett put all of her resources into to a report of a man found hanging from a tree in Victorville, its 300,000-signature goal. Petition organizers question if Fuller had signed a letter of intent to acquire the Detroit Popcorn a desert city nearly 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. On was possibly the victim of a lynching. They cite heightened journalism and bought a stake in the Memphis Free Speech Company, which sells popcorn tins and concessions June 13, authorities released information identifying the man, emotions caused by recent Black Lives Matters (BLM) protests newspaper. After three of her friends were lynched by a mob in equipment. The deal is expected to close in 30 days, the who was homeless, as 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch. He died at as a possible factor. Hundreds of people reportedly took part 1892, her journey as a social reformer. She lectured about the Detroit Free Press reported. a makeshift encampment for unsheltered people where officials in Palmdale BLM demonstration a week prior to Fuller’s atrocities of lynching all over Great Britain. Her three friends’ Owner Evan Singer made a disparaging remark on believed he lived, close to Victorville City Library. death. Despite creating some traffic issues, authorities say the deaths changed her life.

Facebook that trivialized the way that Floyd, a handcuffed Today, the end of the lives of three Black men, brings back It took the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office 10 days to release demonstrations were peaceful. black man, died with a white police officer’s knee on his neck. information about Harsch’s death.

Over the weekend Fuller’s family and supporters held rallies the memory of Wells-Barnett’s cause.

The widely shared post has since been deleted. Nevertheless, Lynching is defined as a form of violence in which mobs, The delay in releasing information about this case is the crux to demand an independent investigation into his death. They at least two major clients – the Detroit Zoo and Quicken of many complaints being lodged against law enforcement in San reject the suicide claim presented by the Sheriff’s office. Instead consisting mostly of non-Black people in the Deep South states, Loans – subsequently ended their relationships with the Bernardino County. People are incredulous about authorities in the Change.org petition they point to the community’s past executed a person without the fairness of a jury trial. company.

This practice soared after the Emancipation Proclamation preliminarily deciding that Harsch’s hanging was a suicide. The “history of racism and negligence”.

The move comes in the wake of protests nationwide over comment sections of the Sheriff’s social media accounts include The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that Victorville freed slaves in 1865 and continued for about 100 years. Graphic Floyd’s death and wider issues of police brutality and racism. calls for investigators to release more information about the case and the surrounding county is home to several anti-government photos of lynchings, many in a spectator setting, still circulate in Many early protests devolved into violence and vandalism, People are also questioning if Harsch was lynched. and anti-immigration hate groups. In 2012, a man was found various forms of media, including U.S. postal cards.

The National Memorial For Peace and Justice (NMPJ) in About 52 miles away, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s hanging from an electric wire in an incident police believed was particularly in big cities. In the comment, Singer appears to Montgomery, Ala., is the first memorial dedicated to the legacy Department is investigating another hanging in Palmdale. a suicide. be reacting to the destruction, saying: “They wonder why Saturday people gathered at Poncitlán Square park near a tree Still, Victor Valley News reports that San Bernardino Sheriff’s of enslaved Black people and Black people terrorized by lynching. they need knee’s on there necks.’’

In May of 2020, 89 years after her death, Wells-Barnett was outside of City Hall. That is where 24-year-old Robert Fuller’s officials said there is no indication of foul play.

David Farber, who sold the company to Singer 18 body was found hanging on Wednesday June 10.

A similar online petition is gaining signatures for posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her journalism. months ago, said last week that Singer’s comment contravened “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon City officials have backpedaled since initially saying that Malcolm Harsch. Twenty-three thousand people have signed their sale agreement and that he would buy the 97-year-old Fuller’s death was likely a suicide. petition to seek a thorough investigation. The Harsch family told them,” Wells-Barnett once wrote. company back and sell it to an African American investor.

Under the agreement, if Singer made any comments that harmed the integrity, good name or reputation of the Detroit Popcorn Company, Farber could take back control.

Singer told WJBK-TV earlier this month that the comment “had nothing to do with race,’’ but that he regretted writing it.

Farber is acting as a facilitator of the sale to Harris and will not hold an ownership stake in the company.

“I’m excited about this rare opportunity to continue the company’s legacy, and remain committed to the high level of quality and service that its customers have come to expect,’’ Harris Financial Group Managing Partner Ken Harris said in a news release.

Farber said a third change in ownership in less than two she said, “It’s bittersweet that it takes someone being murdered on culture shift. “That’s what I think we’re seeing now. It’s going to camera to get to the point of conversation that we’re in.” take all of us staying committed.” years is the right move for the company.

“I was horrified,” Garza said of viewing the video of Floyd’s She said the millions joining protests following the alleged “I want to see it succeed and I want it to be around for life being taken by a white police officer with his knee on Floyd’s murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Auberry and Breonna Taylor another 100 years,’’ he said. neck. “Every time a Black person is murdered by police there is were sparked by, “a powder keg waiting to happen.” something disturbing about it.” She added, said in this case, “just “People are mad about a lot of stuff. We’re all tender right the callousness of it; and him calling for his mother. There’s just so now. It’s an election year. We find ourselves in a global pandemic. much in there that’s horrifying. It’s just a brutal reminder of how The lack of human touch… and being able to gather. Because of Black lives don’t matter in this country.” that we also have the expansion of an economic crisis. Not only Garza, of Oakland, is Strategy and Partnerships Director are people trying to stay healthy, they’re trying to pay their bills.” for the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Principal at the “What we can all agree on is that policing is not serving the Black Futures Lab. people that they’re supposed to serve. When we’re afraid of the Seeing Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs held by protestors police that’s not serving. Whenever I see tanks, rubber bullets, in all 50 states, including in many small towns with few Black and tear gas being used — We pay for that. Are we keeping people residents, Garza said, “It’s humbling to see it and to have been safe? We’ve been defunding the Black community for a long time.” a small part of it.” She is heartened that people are awakening.

“Defund the Police” is a controversial slogan that has been Garza said she is also pleased that many celebrities who held by some protestors. Garza said that slogan comes from the have large platforms are using them now to push for change. She Movement for Black Lives, a coalition that includes BLM. “This said the Black Futures Lab has a strategy for helping celebrities work is something many organizations have been doing for many to use their platforms for the movement. “When they use their years,” she said.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The University of California’s platforms to activate people, it’s an important way to save our “It’s really about getting a handle on how we’re spending our governing board voted Monday to unanimously support a democracy. It makes us active and engaged participants.” money.” She cited the fact that education funds have been cut, measure to restore affirmative action programs and repeal a “I got to take over Selena Gomez’ Instagram last week. It the postal service is near bankrupt, and thousands of homeless are controversial statewide ban that has been blamed for a decline was awesome.” She said people are really hungry for information. living on the streets. in diversity in the prestigious university system.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work and talk about what’s going on.

“We’re using police to deal with homeless. You don’t send a The vote in a special meeting of the Board of Regents When folk like Selena do that, it engages people in issues of our nurse to deal with a drug cartel.” means UC endorses a proposal that would ask voters in time. I plan to work with her through this election cycle.”

“We did the largest survey of Black America in 2018 — The November to repeal Proposition 209, a 1996 voter-approved Garza said she will also be taking over Lady Gaga’s social Black Census Project. The overwhelming majority said in the past Seeing Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs held by pro- media in the coming week. “We’re really focused on transferring six months they’d had a negative experience with the police.” law that banned “preferential treatment” for minority groups testors in all 50 states, including in many small this energy into political power.” applying to state colleges and government jobs.

She said what she supports is “limiting the size, scope and towns with few Black residents, Garza said, “It’s The proposed amendment to the state’s Constitution, She said it’s important to change the people who are making role police play in our communities. Police also need consequences humbling to see it and to have been a small part of the rules and those who aren’t enforcing the rules. She cited as when harm is enacted. Police unions are a huge, huge issue. They which was backed last week by the state Assembly, must still it.” She is heartened that people are awakening. an example the election in Georgia this week where voters in block transparency for officers.” pass the state Senate before it can go on the Nov. 3 statewide predominantly Black areas waited hours to vote. Movement for Speaking of another campaign that’s getting national ballot.

Black Lives is not just about police violence. It’s about how Black attention Project Zero’s “8 that Can’t Wait,” Garza cautioned, “The original sin of this country has to be addressed,’’

By Gail Berkley lives are devalued. Black Lives Matter is for an opportunity for us “We have to be wary of things that are a quick fix.” said regent Eloy Ortiz Oakley, who along with the other The Sun Reporter to recognize and uphold the right to humanity and dignity for She said, “8 Can’t Wait doesn’t deal with the real issue here, regents spoke passionately about the need to send a powerful For Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza the global outpouring of protests and activism following the alleged murder Black people. She said Black people also have to work “to remove nobody should be above the law.” message amid nationwide protests about racial injustice “Public safety is not about bloated police budgets. It’s about of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody has been the negatives we’ve internalized about ourselves.” and inequality. “This is our opportunity to right a historical “For people who are not Black, there’s also work to do.” expanding the safety net for Black people,” she concluded. heartening and makes her hopeful for the future. At the same time, wrong.’’

She said it’s not only about changing the rules, but also about a UC President Janet Napolitano, all 10 campus chancellors and the governing bodies for faculty, undergraduate and graduate students have expressed support for the measure.

In the meeting held by teleconference, Napolitano said that since the passage of Proposition 209, “many of us have watched with dismay and largely tied hands as the numbers of students of underrepresented groups at UC declined and plateaued.”

“The face of the university became one that does not fully represent the rich diversity of our state. That is detrimental to UC and it’s detrimental to California,” Napolitano said.

“Now our state has a chance to take a different path.”

Welcome to Observer Interactive

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

Man in Go Breaks in r Hides UndH e

News Observer The Valley’s

Grisly Hanging Deaths of Black Men Hark Back to Terror of Lynchings Past

Free!

Bobcat Re Dolly Parton cove A f t Statue Mayer Being Hi olice Car ReplacePKKK Leader Monument

Owner Loses Popcorn Company Over Floyd-Related Facebook Post

Black Lives Matter Founder Finds Hope in Global Protests

University of California Endorses Affirmative Action Measure

JUNETEENTH

JUNE 19 • CELEBRATE FREEDOM

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, June 18, 2020

World & Nation

Black with a Capital “B”: 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

Mainstream Media Join Black Press in Uppercasing Race Tanu Henry California Black Media Last week, Norman Pearlstine, the editor of the LA Times, sent a memo to staffers announcing that the publication will begin capitalizing “B” in the word Black in its articles when referring to a race of people.

That move puts the publication with the largest circulation in California in line with the way the majority of the Black

Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.

Member: National Newspapers Publishers Association, 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 an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely 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 editing 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 VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER Bakersfield News Observer Los Angeles News Observer 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, Ca 93301 Mailing Address P.O. Box 2341 Bakersfield, CA 93303 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX. (661) 324-9472 emails- General info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc. com

Chida Darby Warren editor of Black and Magazine wearing a t-shirt with the lowercase black crossed out. (Courtesy Photo)

Press in California and around the country have referred to African Americans for decades since they retired “Negro,” beginning in the 1960s to the early 1970s.

Pearlstine also announced that the LA Times is taking steps to add more diversity to its newsroom by increasing the number of Black and Latino journalists on its staff.

“Within the next two weeks we shall form a group to work on overhauling our hiring process,” Pearlstine wrote to employees.

“The global pandemic and the global financial crisis constrain our ability to make a hiring commitment by a specific date. We can commit, however, that the next hires in Metro will be Black reporters, as we begin to address the underrepresentation.”

In the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the violent protests that followed it, across America, more and more people have begun to point out, own up to, and apologize for abetting racism and anti-Blackness in all of their forms — explicit, subtle and systemic. Americans from all backgrounds have begun to publicly acknowledge how discrimination, over the years, have hurt and held back African Americans for centuries.

Last week, other media organizations across the country, including BuzzFeed News, NBC News, MSNBC, Metro Detroit, and others, announced that they have made the decision to begin capitalizing the “B” in Black as well.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the country’s largest professional organization of Black media professionals and journalism students, released a statement that said the organization has been writing Black with a capital “B” in all of its communications for about a year now.

The NABJ is also recommending that “White” and “Brown” be capitalized, too, when referring to race.

“It is equally important that the word is capitalized in news coverage and reporting about Black people, Black communities, Black culture, Black institutions, etc,” the NABJ statement said.

Sarah Glover, past president of the NABJ, wrote a letter to the Associated Press (AP).

“I’m writing today to request the mainstream news media begin capitalizing the “B” in Black when describing people and the community,” wrote Glover.

“I’m also asking the AP to update its Stylebook to reflect this change, effective immediately,” Glover continued. “This book is the bible for working journalists and sets journalistic industry standards. The AP has tremendous impact as a wire service with more than 1,000 subscribers worldwide.”

Larry Lee, the publisher and CEO of the Sacramento Observer, the oldest Black-owned news publication in California’s capital city said whenever he sees a lowercase “B” in Black, it feels like a “slap in the face.”

I always felt that they were devaluing our community,” said Lee, who is a second-generation publisher of the Observer.

He took the helm of the family-owned business from his father William Lee, who founded the newspaper in 1962 and passed last year.

“This is wonderful. Its progress,” Lee continued. “I applaud other media outlets that are doing that. We thought it was important, in a journalistic sense, to recognize Black Americans and African Americans in the same vein that you stylistically recognize Hispanics and any other ethnicity.”

Lee, who’s is 47, says for as long as he can remember, the Observer and other Black-owned newspapers across the country have capitalized the “B” in Black also to affirm the humanity of African Americans, evoke a sense of cultural pride, and to align themselves with the 1970’s “I’m Black and I’m Proud”

movement popularized in pop culture by James Brown and others.

Lee says, for a while now, Black publishers have called on general market newspapers to adapt that policy, too.

Paulette Brown-Hinds, Publisher of the Black Voice News in Riverside, is also a second-generation executive of an

Headline from the Washington Post Sunday newsletter. (Courtesy Photo)

African American, family-owned newspaper in California.

“As a newspaper, we have capitalized the word Black for decades,” said Brown-Hinds, who took over the day-to-day operation of the paper in 2012 from her parents, Hardy and Cheryl Brown.

“We have always shared a Pan-Africanist worldview, regarding Black as being more encompassing of people of the African Diaspora,” she continued. “I guess our counterparts, in what people call the mainstream media, are finally catching-up with something we’ve been doing all along.”

In her letter, Glover said organizations moving to change their policy on capitalizing Black is a “good first step.”

“This matters. It’s to bring humanity to a group of people who have experienced forms of oppression and discrimination since they first came to the United States 401 years ago as enslaved people. I ask for this change in honor of the Black Press,” she wrote.

The New York Times, which adheres to its own style guide that is different from AP’s, also still uses Black with a lowercase B.

California Assembly Passes Bill to Set Up Reparations Task Force

Tanu Henry California Black Media On June 12, the California Assembly voted 61-12 to approve AB 3121.

The “reparations” bill calls for the creation of a task force to study and propose ideas for how African Americans in California can be compensated for slavery and its “after lives,” as the author of the legislation, Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), describes the Jim Crow laws and other forms of injustice and state-sanctioned discrimination that have existed in the United States from 1865 until now.

“The bill would require the task force to recommend, among other things, the appropriate mechanism for redress as it pertains to California’s role in the enslavement of Black people,” Weber read in a statement at the bill’s hearing to her colleagues on the California state Assembly floor.

The California state Senate is now reviewing the bill and is expected to vote on it by June 25.

If the bill passes the Senate and Gov. Newsom signs it into law, the state will appoint and commission an eight-member task force comprised of people from different backgrounds. The team would lead the study that defines what reparations should look like and who would be eligible to receive compensation.

“Until the end of the U.S. Civil War, California city and county law enforcement authorities enforced a contract labor system, allowing slave holders to effectively hold persons in bondage,” Weber said. “In other words, California state, county and city authorities actively supported the institution of Black slavery both within and beyond California.”

In May, the Assembly Judiciary committee voted yes on the bill. Nearly a month later, the Appropriations committee passed it, too, before it moved to the Assembly floor for a full vote last week.

“Its time we took an honest look at our history. This is not about pointing fingers. It’s about getting to the truth. African Americans have loved this country, and we have served it, and we have contributed to its might as much as every other American,” said Hardy Brown, the founder of California Black Media.

“We are not making this up. The history is all there. City councils, state legislatures and the federal government crafted racist laws and adapted racially-biased public policies that deliberately excluded African Americans,” Brown continued.

“They erected legal barriers that held us back and robbed us of economic opportunities that were afforded others for centuries — both here in California and across this land.”

Standing with Weber, all the other members of the California Legislative Black Caucus co-sponsored AB 3121. They are Senator Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles), the group’s vice chair; Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), secretary; Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), treasurer; Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena); Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles); Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D- South Los Angeles); Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

“Justice requires that those who have been treated unjustly need the means to make themselves whole again,” Weber told her colleagues.

Twelve of the 17 Republican members of the state Assembly voted no on the bill. They are Assemblymembers Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals); Bill Brough (R-Dana Point); Steven Choi (R-Irvine); Jordan Cunningham (R-Paso Robles); Megan Dahle (R-Bieber); James Gallagher (R-Yuba City); Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin); Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale); Devon Mathis (R-Visalia); Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake); Jim Patterson (R-Fresno); and Randy Voepel (R-Santee).

The Assembly Republicans have not issued a formal statement opposing AB 3121. However, Joshua Hoover, Kiley’s chief of staff, has said that he believes a discussion about reparations for slavery should happen on the federal level.

In his address, Biden expressed concerned for African Americans and other minorities who have suffered under oppressive government policies. (Photo: joebiden. com)

Biden Takes Firm Stand Against Police Murder of George Floyd

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent After going out to personally meet with demonstrators in Delaware, presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden has taken a firm stand against the police killing of George Floyd and the overall plight of African Americans who’ve been targeted, brutalized and killed by law enforcement officers.

“I can’t breathe.” “I can’t breathe,” Biden said in a lengthy address on June 2.

“George Floyd’s last words,” Biden explained. “But they didn’t die with him. They’re still being heard. They’re echoing across this nation. They speak to a nation where too often just the color of your skin puts your life at risk,” Biden pronounced.

Between 2013 and 2019, police in the United States killed 7,666 people according to data provided by Mapping Police Violence, a research and advocacy group. The number of police killings in America disproportionately affects African Americans, who despite only making up 13 percent of the U.S. population, are two-and-a-half times more likely than whites to be killed by

police.

Biden’s address comes as uprisings continue throughout the country and as viral video and news reports show police using tear gas to disburse peaceful demonstrators gathered near a church where President Donald Trump visited.

Trump has also suggested that police shoot demonstrators and he continues to publicly consider using U.S. Armed Forces to combat protesters.

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Biden up nationally by a 53 percent to 43 percent margin among registered voters.

CNN reported that the context of individual polls continues to show Biden is in one of the best positions for any challenger since scientific polling began in the 1930s.

“There were more than 40 national public polls taken at least partially in the month of May that asked about the Biden-Trump matchup,” CNN reported.

“Biden led in every single one of them. He’s the first challenger to be ahead of the incumbent in every May poll since

Jimmy Carter did so in 1976. Carter, of course, won the 1976 election.

Biden’s the only challenger to have the advantage in every May poll over an elected incumbent in the polling era.”

In his address, Biden expressed concerned for African Americans and other minorities who have suffered under oppressive government policies.

He said Floyd’s last words speak to a nation “where more than 100,000 people have lost their lives to a virus and 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment – with a disproportionate number of these deaths and job losses concentrated in the Black and minority communities.”

“And they speak to a nation where everyday millions of people – not at the moment of losing their life – but in the course of living their life – are saying to themselves, ‘I can’t breathe.’”

“It’s a wake-up call for our nation. For all of us,” Biden stated.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Entertainment

Chappelle Speaks on George Floyd in New Netflix Special

Beyonce has joined the call for charges against officers involved in this shooting.

Breonna Taylor, a black woman gunned down by officers who burst into her Kentucky home.

Beyonce Wants Officers Charged in Black Woman’s Death LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Beyonce has joined the call for charges against officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor, a black woman gunned down by officers who burst into her Kentucky home.

The superstar said in a letter Sunday to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron that the three Louisville police officers “must be held accountable for their actions.”

The officers, Jon Mattingly, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove, have been placed on administrative reassignment while the shooting is investigated.

“Your office has both the power and the responsibility to bring justice to Breonna Taylor, and demonstrate the value of a

Black woman's life,” said the letter released on the singer’s website.

Taylor, 26, who was studying to become a nurse, was shot eight times by officers conducting a narcotics investigation on March 13. No drugs were found at her home. The city of Louisville last week banned the used of controversial “no-knock” warrants.

Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, has said the family wants the officers fired and prosecuted.

Protests over several days in Louisville were fueled by Taylor's shooting and the death of George Floyd, a black man in police custody in Minneapolis.

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) _ An angry and emotional Dave Chappelle spoke on the killing of George Floyd in a surprise Netflix special, saying America was being punished for its mistreatment of black men.

“I don’t mean to get heavy but we got to say something,’’ said Chappelle, who added that America is enduring “the wrath of God’’ for a string of police assaults on black men.

The special was released Thursday and is streaming free on Netflix’s comedy YouTube channel. It was taken from a show at an outdoor pavilion in Yellow Springs, Ohio, with about 100 attendees on June 6.

Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for more than eight minutes even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving, an ordeal caught on video. Chappelle called his special “8:46’’ in part after the length of time the officer was on top of the handcuffed Floyd.

It is also the time Chappelle was born on Aug. 24, 1973. “I can’t get that number out of my head because it was my time of birth on my birth certificate,’’ he said.

“When I watched that tape, I understood this man knew he was going to die,’’ said the comedian. “I can’t tell you, as a man, watching another man, go through something like that, what it makes you feel like.’’

Chappelle added that he has been quiet until now for a reason. “Answer me: Do you want to see a celebrity right now?’’ he asked. “No, this is the streets talking for themselves. They don’t need me right now.’’

Chappelle also explored the violent deaths of such black men as Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Philando Castile. “One after the other,’’ the comedian said. He also slammed the National Rifle Association and celebrated Kobe Bryant.

He ended by noting that his great-grandfather _ once a slave _ was part of an African American delegation that was asked to come to the White House following a lynching during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson.

“These things are not old. This is not a long time ago. It’s today,’’ Chappelle said. “These streets will speak for themselves whether I am alive or dead. I trust you guys.’’

Police stories have evolved far from the prime of Sgt. Friday. But the idealized crime fighter remains a cultural touchstone even when countered by such recent narratives as Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series “When They See Us,’’ about the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five, and Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,’’ a best-selling novel about a black teen murdered by police that was adapted into a feature film of the same name.

Floyd’s Death Hastens Shift in Police Pop Culture Portrayals

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) _ Gary Phillips, a prize-winning crime novelist from Los Angeles, grew up on TV shows that showed a world nothing like the one he lived in.

“I watched them all, `Dragnet,' `Adam 12,' `The Wild, Wild West,' `Mannix,' `Cannon,' `Peter Gunn' reruns and on and on. Now these were white guys and they were tough but fair and even-handed,'' he told The Associated Press in a recent email, referring to popular programs mostly from the 1960s and 1970s.

“I remember a `Dragnet' episode where tight-ass Joe Friday solved racism among black and white officers in a weekend retreat.

But I was a kid growing up in South Central and even then some part of me knew a lot of this was jive. We knew the cops out of Newton and 77th Division policed the 'hood a lot different than shown on TV.'' The May 25 killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck, has set off protests worldwide and transmitted images of law enforcement that long remained far outside the narratives of crime stories _ beatings and lethal chokeholds of handcuffed suspects, firing mace and rubber bullets at peaceful protesters, harassing and cursing at journalists.

Police stories have evolved far from the prime of Sgt. Friday.

But the idealized crime fighter remains a cultural touchstone even when countered by such recent narratives as Ava DuVernay's

Netflix series “When They See Us,'' about the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five, and Angie Thomas' “The Hate U Give,'' a best-selling novel about a black teen murdered by police that was adapted into a feature film of the same name.

“Hopefully what we're seeing on TV now, and on social media, is that bubble being popped,'' Thomas told the AP. Protests have already changed television. “Cops,'' which for 33 seasons helped shape an authorized narrative that allowed viewers to sympathize and identify with real police on patrol, was dropped this week by the Paramount Network. A&E did the same with a similar show, “Live PD,'' one of its mostly highly rated programs. Earlier this year, five police procedurals were consistently in the Nielsen company's top 20 ratings, including NBC's “Chicago PD'' and CBS's “FBI.'' Now, even those portraying law enforcement officials are pulling back: Griffin Newman, who appeared as a detective on the CBS series “Blue Bloods,'' announced he was donating his earnings from the show to help raise bail for arrested protesters.

The divide between crime fiction and real life dates back to the genre's origins, more than 200 years ago. Law enforcement violence and corruption were extreme in the mid-19th century and some police forces were rooted in the patrols that used to chase down runaway slaves. Meanwhile, “The police in early crime fiction were depicted as good, courageous, and brilliant,'' says Otto Penzler, the crime fiction publisher and bookseller.

In the 20th century, shows such as “Dragnet'' and “Highway

Patrol'' were collaborations between law enforcement and the entertainment business, to the point where J. Edgar Hoover was permitted to vet the politics of the actors appearing in “The FBI,'' the long-running series starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Otherwise, police and other officials were portrayed as jaded and self-contained in the fiction of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, comical and bumbling like the Keystone Kops or the misfits of “Police Academy,'' rumpled and savvy like Peter Falk's Columbo, or witty and indomitable like Bruce Willis' New York City detective John McClane in the “Die Hard'' movies.

Walter Mosley, known for his “Easy Rawlins'' novels about a black detective in Los Angeles, noted that even if the plot included a bad cop “it wouldn't be instituonalized. It would be that cop is bad because he or she is a bad person.''

For Gary Phillips and many others, it took years to find stories in which they could see themselves. Naomi Hirahara, the Edgar Award winning author of the Mas Arai detective novels, remembered the “fantasy'' or watching the white male protagonists in “Columbo,'' “The Rockford Files'' and other shows. As an adult, she was drawn to African American crime writers such as Mosley and Chester Himes, and now admires Rachel Howzel Hall's novels about the African American LAPD homicide detective Elouise “Lou'' Norton, books “revealing the complexity of a black woman in a system that has traditionally disempowered minorities.''

Penzler and others cite Joseph Wambaugh's 1971 novel “The

New Centurions'' as a turning point in showing a more realistic portrait of police, although no single trend has prevailed. Over the past 50 years, the image of law enforcement has sometimes mirrored debates between liberals and conservatives. Sidney Lumet's 1973 film “Serpico'' dramatized the corruption of New York City police and the heroism of the real-life title character's willingness to speak out. Around the same time, Clint Eastwood's “Dirty Harry'' movies positioned Eastwood's San Francisco lawman as a needed rule-breaker in a system too permissive of crime. Spike Lee's landmark 1989 release “Do the Right Thing,'' in which a black man is choked to death by police, was released two weeks after the premiere of “Lethal Weapon 2'' and the crowd pleasing defiance of Mel Gibson's Sgt. Martin Riggs.

“Cops,'' which allowed the departments it covered significant control over its content, has been contrasted by the tougher perspective of Lena Waithe's Showtime series “The Chi.” But even shows like “The Wire,'' and “The Shield'' that take frank looks at police abuses can end up making the audience identify with officers.

“At first it's `police are dirty bums' and it's `look at the awful thing they did,''' says Miki Turner, a professor at the University of Southern California who specializes in diversity and controversial topics in the entertainment industry and television. “And then there's something in the script that makes you flip your mentality, and sympathize.''

A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Local

Rep. Waters to Police:

Rep. Maxine Waters ( Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Do Not Kill Another Unarmed Black Person LOS ANGELES – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA- after being pulled over for speeding. These are two of the most a statement 43), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, issued recent murders by police that have garnered media attention, on the death of at least two Black men who were but there may be other victims that we don’t have video footage killed by the police in the past few weeks: Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, GA and Maurice Gordon in Bass River, New Jersey.

Her statement follows: “Over the past 19 days, millions of protesters in this country and around the world have created one of the largest sustained demonstrations in history to make a clear and profound statement of opposition to the continuous murder of Black men and women by law enforcement. Yet, in the midst of all the protests demanding justice, we have learned of at least two additional unarmed Black men who have been murdered by the police.

“Video footage of the murder of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks revealed a police officer making the choice to cast aside his taser, reach for his gun, and shoot down a Black man who was found sleeping in his car. Rayshard Brooks posed no threat to the police and spoke calmly with officers for 27 minutes.

Rayshard Brooks was running away from police, unarmed, and in possession of a taser -- which by no stretch of the imagination is a deadly weapon – when an officer fired three shot at his back and killed him. Another unarmed Black man, 28-yearold Maurice Gordon, was killed by a New Jersey state trooper

or national awareness of.

“The African American community is beyond outraged.

We are frustrated. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and we are beyond the point of accepting incremental change.

The murder of George Floyd by the police and the international calls for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black men and women should have been a wake-up call. Instead of justice and reformed practices by the police, we have been confronted with more murder and police brutality. What more will it take?

“Law enforcement has been given the opportunity to reform its practices time and time again. All police officers who choose to use deadly force on unarmed citizens of this country must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Far too many Black men and women are continuing to be murdered with impunity at the hands of the police, and the people of this country will not stand for such blatant disregard for human life any longer.

“As a Black woman, wife, mother, and grandmother, I demand that police officers do not kill another unarmed Black person.”

Thursday, June 18, 2020

The Delfonics Norman Carter Still Going Strong

By Earl Heath Contributing Writer If you’re a soul music fan the sounds of the Delfonics would be etched in your mind. The Philadelphia based group had big hits like Grammy award winning “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind this Time),” “Break Your Promise” and “Ready or Not Here I Come Can’t Hide From Love.” Those big hits were just a few in a line of hits in the sixties and seventies.

In the nineties the Delfonics were working with two different groups around the country. Norman Carter stepped in due to an illness to co-founder William Hart and made his own mark as lead singer for the West coast version.

The Norwalk, Connecticut native could carry a tune with the best of them including the big hit “La-La (Means I Love You).” Today he performs a solo act in Southern California and the West. He still has the skills to carry the musical torch all the way to center stage. The 72 year-old does an awesome rendition of “What a Difference A Day Makes” (Diana Washington) and “The Eddie Kendrick’s Experience” a performance that features songs of the former Temptation.

“I can still do it with the best of the “Old Schoolers,” said Carter. “There are a few of us that can still hit that note.”

He spoke of Eddie LaVert (OJays). He has opened-up for Evelyn “Champagne” King and Billy Paul.

Today he does gigs all over big and small. The Coronavirus has slowed him a bit but next week he’s back on the road to San Antonio, Texas. He’ll be playing at various Casinos in the Southland. He even does special appearances such as birthday’s and weddings.

Yes Norman Cater still has it. If you get a chance punch your ticket to his show or hire him for your own function your guest will leave with great memories.

At 72 Norman Carter still has the gift to entertain.

(Courtesy Photo)

California Assembly Passes Bill to Set Up Reparations Task Force Tanu Henry California Black Media On June 12, the California Assembly voted 61-12 to approve AB 3121.

The “reparations” bill calls for the creation of a task force to

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTION CASE NUMBER: 18STPB10794 The personal representative (executor or administrator) of the estate of the decreased is: FREDDIE MAE JACKSON The Personal representative has authority to administer the estate without court supervision under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (Pro. Code, §10440 et seq.) with limited authority under the act (there is no authority, without court supervision, to (1) sell or exchange real property or (2) grant an option to purchase real property or (3) borrow money with the loan secured by an encumbrance upon real property.

On or after: July 15, 2020, the personal representative will take the following action without court supervision: Administrator intends to sell the real property through Sentinel Realty Partners located at: 155 W. 58th St., Los Angeles, Ca. 90037 34 Paradise Valley North, Carson, Ca. 90745 Real property transaction: No inventory yet.

Date: 6/11/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

Personal Representative or Attorney: William Edwards 237587 William Edwards Law 168 H Street Bakersfield, Ca. 93304 Attorney for: Freddie Mae Jackson LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 18, 25, July 2, 2020

�������������������������������

AFFIDAVIT AND NOTICE OF DEFAULT BY TACIT PROCURATION AND ARTICLE 9

By: Dean, April, Lenai Affiant: NOD041820-ALD Los Angeles County,Carson, Ca Respondents: SPS, JP Morgan Chase, US Bank, et al. THAT the governing law of this private contract is the agreement of the parties supported by the Law Merchant and applicable maxims of law.

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 2020

study and propose ideas for how African Americans in California can be compensated for slavery and its “after lives,” as the author of the legislation, Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), describes the Jim Crow laws and other forms of injustice and state-sanctioned discrimination that have existed in the United States from 1865 until now.

“The bill would require the task force to recommend, among other things, the appropriate mechanism for redress as it pertains to California’s role in the enslavement of Black people,” Weber read in a statement at the bill’s hearing to her colleagues on the California state Assembly floor.

The California state Senate is now reviewing the bill and is expected to vote on it by June 25.

If the bill passes the Senate and Gov. Newsom signs it into law, the state will appoint and commission an eight-member task force comprised of people from different backgrounds. The team would lead the study that defines what reparations should look like and who would be eligible to receive compensation.

“Until the end of the U.S. Civil War, California city and county law enforcement authorities enforced a contract labor system, allowing slave holders to effectively hold persons in bondage,” Weber said. “In other words, California state, county and city authorities actively supported the institution of Black slavery both within and beyond California.”

In May, the Assembly Judiciary committee voted yes on the bill. Nearly a month later, the Appropriations committee passed it, too, before it moved to the Assembly floor for a full vote last week.

“Its time we took an honest look at our history. This is not about pointing fingers. It’s about getting to the truth. African Americans have loved this country, and we have served it, and we have contributed to its might as much as every other American,” said Hardy Brown, the founder of California Black Media.

“We are not making this up. The history is all there. City councils, state legislatures and the federal government crafted racist laws and adapted racially-biased public policies that deliberately excluded African Americans,” Brown continued.

“They erected legal barriers that held us back and robbed us of economic opportunities that were afforded others for centuries — both here in California and across this land.”

Standing with Weber, all the other members of the California Legislative Black Caucus co-sponsored AB 3121. They are Senator Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles), the group’s vice chair; Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember

Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), secretary; Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), treasurer; Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena); Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles); Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D- South Los Angeles); Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

“Justice requires that those who have been treated unjustly need the means to make themselves whole again,” Weber told her colleagues.

Twelve of the 17 Republican members of the state Assembly

voted no on the bill. They are Assemblymembers Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals); Bill Brough (R-Dana Point); Steven Choi (R-Irvine); Jordan Cunningham (R-Paso Robles); Megan Dahle (R-Bieber); James Gallagher (R-Yuba City); Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin); Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale); Devon Mathis (R-Visalia); Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake); Jim Patterson (R-Fresno); and Randy Voepel (R-Santee).

The Assembly Republicans have not issued a formal statement opposing AB 3121. However, Joshua Hoover, Kiley’s chief of staff, has said that he believes a discussion about reparations for slavery should happen on the federal level.

Get The Valley’s News Observer Online at www.

OGNSC.COM Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Thursday, June 18, 2020

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Sports

NBA Players Discuss How Best to Impact Racism and the Systematic Oppression of Black People

Kyrie Irving encourages players to consider sitting out the remainder season (Photo Credit-Getty Images)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com During the shutdown of the NBA season due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has joined in protesting police brutality and racial injustices that continue to impact many American cities. While the riots in response to the senseless murder of George Floyd by the hand of Minneapolis officers have subsided, several cities continue to protest the racial injustices and continuous murders of unarmed Black men. Multiple prominent players question whether it’s in their best interest to even play the remainder of the NBA? Whether it’s the health concerns swirling around the Corona Virus, continuous attacks on the Black community across the country, or a combination of both, NBA Players are questioning how to properly assert their influence of power as well as ensure their voices impact change on our society’s current climate. After many of the league’s top players committed to return to action a couple of weeks ago, the talented, yet often aloof, Kyrie Irving, led a conference call this past Friday, ensuring the voices of the other players in the league were heard before the league returns to play.

Irving and a few other players voiced concerns on the call about whether the season should even continue. Kyrie and Lakers Avery Bradley put out this passionate mission statement for the new NBA Coalition: “We are a group of men and women from different teams and industries that are normally painted as opponents, but have put our egos and differences aside to make sure we stand united and demand honesty during this uncertain time.

Native indigenous African Caribbean men and women entertaining the world, we will continue to use our voices and platforms for positive change and truth.

We are truly at an inflection point in history whereas a collective community, we can band together — UNIFY — and move as one. We need all our people with us and we will stand together in solidarity.

As an oppressed community we are going on 500-plus years of being systemically targeted, used for our IP [intellectual

property]/Talent, and also still being killed by the very people that are supposed to ‘protect and serve’ us.

“WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!” We are combating the issues that matter most: We will not accept the racial injustices that continue to be ignored in our communities. We will not be kept in the dark when it comes to our health and well-being. And we will not ignore the financial motivations/expectations that have prevented us historically from making sound decisions.

This is not about individual players, athletes, or entertainers.

This is about our group of strong men and women uniting for change. We have our respective fields; however, we will not just shut up and play to distract us from what this whole system has been about: Use and Abuse.

We are all fathers, daughters’ leaders and so much more.

So, what is our BIG picture? We are in this for UNITY and CHANGE!” In support of Kyrie’s comments, equally awkward, Dwight Howard had the following response, “I agree with Kyrie (Irving). Basketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction. Sure, it might not distract us the players, but we have resources at hand majority of our community don’t have. And the smallest distraction for them, can start a trickledown effect that may never stop. Especially with the way the climate is now. I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship. But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that’s just to (sic) beautiful to pass up. What better time than now for us to be focusing on our families. This is a rare opportunity that, I believe, we as a community should be taking full advantage of. When have we ever had this amount of time to sit and be with our families?

This is where our Unity starts. At home! With Family!! European Colonization stripped us of our rich history, and we have yet to sit down and figure us out. The less distractions, the more we can put into action into rediscovering ourselves. Nations come out of families. Black/African American is not a Nation or Nationality.

It’s time Our Families became their own Nations. No Basketball till we get things resolved.”

I would like to know what these players believe they would

accomplish by not playing. Austin Rivers, son of Clippers Head Coach, Doc Rivers, has eluded to this via his post on Instagram: “Us coming back would put money in all of our (NBA players’) pockets, With this money, you could help out even more people and continue to give more importantly your time and energy towards the BLM movement. Which I’m 100 percent on board with. Because change needs to happen and injustice has been going on too long.” Rivers added: “I love Kyrie’s passion towards helping this movement, It’s admirable and inspiring. I’m with it ... but not at the cost of the whole NBA and players’ careers. We can do both. We can play and we can help change the way black lives are lived. I think we have [to]! But canceling and boycotting [a] return doesn’t do that in my opinion. Guys want to play and provide and help change!”

Understanding the temperature of his players as he always has, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remains confident things will be worked out and that they will complete their season.

Silver, said as much in his statement to ESPN Monday evening: “Listen, it’s not an ideal situation. We are trying to find a way to our own normalcy in the middle of a pandemic, in the middle of essentially a recession or worse with 40 million unemployed, and now with enormous social unrest in the country. And so, as we work through these issues, I can understand how some players may feel, that it’s not for them. It may be for family reasons, it may be for health reasons they have, or it may be because they feel -- as some players have said very recently -- that their time is best spent elsewhere.”

Silver continues to show his solid commitment to the progressiveness of the league and what that means to the climate of our country when he states: “… in terms of social justice issues, it’ll be an opportunity for NBA players in the greater community to draw attention to the issues because the world’s attention will be on the NBA in Orlando if we’re able to pull this off. ...

What should this league, that may have a unique opportunity as compared to almost any other organization in the world, be doing in response to George Floyd’s death, to endemic racial issues in society? I’ve heard this loud and clear -- the statements have been issued, foundations have been announced, contributions. But

there’s an expectation that there’s more that this league can do; and I think part of its going to require a fair amount of listening, something we’ve been doing already. But then engaging in very deliberate behavior, together with the players, in terms of how can we use our larger platform, the NBA together with the players, really to affect change.”

I think It’s awesome these players want to make an impact off the court. However, I believe the NBA players can make their voices heard every night when microphones and cameras would be readily available to broadcast their thoughts and opinions across the globe to the tens of millions of people who will be tuning into watch them do their thing on the court. My hope is players will consult with community leaders and activist to help guide them in how to maximize the use of their platforms.

I truly believe this is the optimum time for the players to demand the NBA invest in the inner cities around the country and demand programs are put in place to develop future league leaders. As undoubtedly many eyes and ears will be fixated on seeing how they handle this situation, I agree with 2X Gold Medalist and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, as he stated: “if they don’t play, they’re going to be out of sight, out of mind for the rest of the year. I have no idea what Kyrie and Dwight are talking about. But it would be a catastrophic mistake not to play.”

What are your thoughts on the NBA taking their season to Florida during this pandemic: are you at all concerned for the players health? Though either action, playing or not playing, will undoubtedly send a message to America, do you think it’s important for players to return to the game with all that is going on in the world? Kindly share your thoughts on who’s word had the most impact by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward your thoughts to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

Additionally, 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. As always, Thank You for making our voice, your choice!

It’s a Landmark Ruling for LGBTQ Community

LZ Granderson is a host on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles, and now a columnist at the Los Angeles Times. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It was a tremendous ruling for the for millions as the United States Supreme Court ruled that members of the LGBTQ community could not be terminated due to their sexuality.

Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion as they joined the courts four liberal justices in a 6-3 vote.

“An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or trans-gender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in this decision, exactly what Title VII forbids,” Gorsuch wrote.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh was a no vote; “They have advanced powerful policy arguments and can take pride in today’s result..

Under the Constitution’s separation of powers, however, I believe that its Congress’s role not this Court’s to amend Title VII.I

therefor must respectfully dissent from the Court’s judgement.”

Kavanaugh wrote.

Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden called the ruling “a momentous step forward for our country.”

“The Supreme Court has confirmed the simply but profoundly American idea that every human being should be treated with respect and dignity. That everyone should be able to live openly and proudly and as their true selves without fear,” Biden said.

The long awaited decision puts a bit of ease in those who have been shown prejudice and have fear of being free with their sexuality.

There is no way someone job should be determined by sexuality. In the fifties blacks had the motto “last one hired and the first ones fired”. They were only hired if they were really needed and if some went wrong or budget cuts occurred they were the first out the door.

According to the UCLA’s Williams Institute in the workforce there are 7.1 million lesbian, gay and bisexual employed-and approximately 1 million who identify themselves as transgender.

Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David sent out a tweet –“Landmark victory for LGBTQ equality.”

LZ Granderson is Co-host of Mornings with Keyshawn LZ and Travis of ESPN Los Angeles cut off his co-host the morning of the announcement and said- “I was really worried about this one, this was a big decision.”

Granderson had marched with Keyshawn in Los Angeles the day before the Supreme Court ruling also had his own theory on what helped sway the decision. He stated “I believe the present movement had something to do with the Supreme Courts decision. When you see millions marching not only around the country but around the world. It can create persuasion. I couldn’t guarantee it, but you would have to consider it”

LAFC Launches Petition To Recognize Juneteenth As National Holiday Petition Part of Club’s Commitment to Support the Black Community; Goal is to Gather 100,000 Signatures Through Change.org Petition The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) today announced an initiative to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the United States. The campaign features a Change.org petition with the goal of receiving 100,000 signatures.

Juneteenth is known as the U.S. celebration of the official end of slavery. The 155-year-old holiday is celebrated on June 19, the date Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army landed in Galveston, Texas and informed slaves that the Civil War had ended and slavery had been abolished.

The holiday is currently recognized in 47 states throughout the country, and fans are encouraged to sign LAFC’s petition to have the date acknowledged as a federal holiday.

The launch of the Juneteenth petition is the first of many upcoming initiatives LAFC is pledging to take on in its commitment to foster change, including observing June 19th as a company-wide holiday annually.

The Club stands firmly in solidarity with the Black Community against all acts of racism, hatred and prejudice.

LAFC will continue to support, promote equality and use their Download the “Observer Interactive”App and scan over this picture to sign petition now! (LAFC Courtesy collective voice against all social injustice.

Photo)

A6

Local

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, June 18, 2020