Oakland Post, week of January 31 - February 6, 2024

Dis Black Army Reservists Killed in Drone Attack Three Near Syrian Border ... see page 2

The Year Ahead: Assembly Speaker Rivas VP Harris: Americans with Criminal Records Will Discusses Priorities, Problems ... see page 2 Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans ... see page 4

REPORT: Black Enrollment at California Colleges Remains Low and Flat ... see page 6

Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18

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Weekly Edition.

Edition. January 31 - February 6, 2024

61st Year, No. 5

For Cervical Cancer Month, Medical Community Focused on Education

AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools AG Bonta said DOJ investigation of 2022 closure decisions would have negatively impacted Black and low-income families.

Abandoned vehicles on 24th and Wood Street where volunteers conducted the count and surveys. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Oakland Conducts Its Biennial ‘Point in Time’ Homelessness Count

By Magaly Muñoz Teachers and students protest the closing of schools in Oakland. Photo courtesy of PBS.

By Post Staff

California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a letter this week to the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education saying the district has a duty to comply with state education and civil rights laws to protect students and families from “disparate harm,” such as segregation and discrimination, if the district goes ahead with school closures, mergers or consolidations in 2025-2026.

The letter and an accompanying media release announced the findings of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation into the OUSD Board’s Feb. 8, 2022, decision to close Parker Elementary, Brookfield Elementary, Carl B. Munck Elementary, Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy, Grass Valley Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, and Community Day School and eliminate grades 6-8 of Hillcrest Elementary and La Es-

cuelita Elementary.

“All school districts and their leadership have a legal obligation to protect vulnerable children and their communities from disparate harm when making school closure decisions,” said Attorney General Bonta.

“The bottom line is that discrimination in any form will not be tolerated,” he said. “I am committed to working with OUSD’s leadership to achieve successful outcomes for students.

“My office will continue to monitor OUSD’s processes and decision-making as it moves forward with the required community engagement, equity impact analysis, and planning to implement any future closures, mergers, or consolidations” to ensure compliance with California’s Constitution, AB 1912, and anti-discrimination laws.

By press time, the school disContinued on page 8

Oakland, along with other cities in Alameda County, conducted their biennial ‘Point In Time’ census count on Feb. 1 to gain a thorough understanding of the size and dispersion of the homeless population in the region.

The Point In Time (PIT) count is federally required by the Housing and Urban Development Department as a requirement to receive funding and resources to tackle homelessness in the area.

David Modersbach, Grants Manager of Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless pro-

gram, said that the methodology this time around was different, as this count had a much more personal “lived experience” aspect that previous counts did not have.

In 2022, the county relied more on statistical extrapolation and assumptions, but this year’s survey questionnaires allowed for details on substance abuse issues, how long someone has been living without proper housing, what resources people are in need of and much more. “[The PIT count is] a critical opportunity for the county, ConContinued on page 8

Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

Oakland Schools Honor Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties

Fred Korematsu. Courtesy of OUSD.

By Post Staff Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice.

His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.

One OUSD school is named in

his honor: Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) elementary in East Oakland.

Several years ago, founding KDA Principal Charles Wilson, in a video interview with anti-hate organization “Not In Our Town,” said, “We chose the name Fred Korematsu because we really felt like the attributes that he showed in his work are things that the children need to learn … that common people can stand up and make differences in a large number of people’s lives.”

Fred Korematsu was born in Oakland on Jan. 30, 1919. His parents ran a floral nursery business, and his upbringing in Oakland shaped his worldview. His belief in the importance of standing up for your rights and the rights of others, regardless of race or background, was the foundation for his activism against racial prejudice and for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II. At the start of the war, Korematsu was turned away from enlisting in the National Guard and the Coast Guard because of his race. He trained as a welder, working at the docks in Oakland, but was fired after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fear and prejudice led to federal Executive Order 9066, which forced more than 120,000 Japanese Americans out of their homes and neighborhoods and into remote internment camps.

Continued on page 8

Kaiser Permanente physicians stress the importance of cervical cancer screening. Photo provided by Kaiser Permanente.

By Magaly Muñoz January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Physicians, advocates and others in the medical community commemorated the month by raising awareness about a form of cancer they say is highly preventable and treatable.

Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV) and it develops slowly over time but can be prevented with proper care in girls as young as 13 years old.

Sonia Ordonez, an OBGYN and gynecology surgeon at Kaiser Permanente, stated that as soon as people with cervixes reach the maturity reproductive age, they should start taking preventative measures like getting the HPV vaccine. The vaccine involves a series of two-doses for people

aged 9 through 14 or three-doses for people 15 through 45 years old.

“I see a lot of young women who can’t remember or may not have gotten [the vaccine] when they were younger, or maybe got one, but we can give them the series of vaccines and restart at any point in time,” Ordonez said.

She said that cervical cancer is not the only cancer caused by HPV. Strains of the virus can also lead to throat, anal and penile cancers.

Screening is also an effective way to check for cervical cancer and should be done every three years after someone turns 21, doctors recommend. It is best to start as early as possible to catch occurrences early.

Ordonez said that this cancer is also more likely found in people of color and has led to more deaths Continued on page 8

Photo Courtesy of Alexis Gray-Lawson

By Post staff

The Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (MESHOF) announced that it will induct Dr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, a former WNBA player and Oakland Technical High School graduate at its inaugural Curt Flood Platinum Award Ceremony in February.

Gray-Lawson’s Platinum Award is part of the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Bay Area induction and award ceremony, where four other retired professional athletes will be honored.

The banquet and ceremony will be held from 5:45 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the George P. Scotlan Convention Center at Oakland’s Marriott Civic Center Hotel.

“I am truly honored to receive this incredible nomination,” said Dr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, who, along with college teammate Devanei Hampton, lead Oakland Tech to its second consecutive state title in 2005. “It took a village to raise me and get me here, and I truly am excited to continue the legacy.”

Gray-Lawson, a “second team” Parade All-American and an AllState honoree, as a senior in ’05, was chosen for the California Interscholastic Federation sportsmanship award. She only lost one game throughout her four-year career in high school. Her jersey was retired at Oakland Tech and placed in the National High School Hall of Fame as a four-time All-City recipient, averaging 17.2 points per game during her career.

Gray-Lawson received scholarships in volleyball, softball, and basketball before deciding to travel up College Avenue to the University of California, Berkeley. There, she played in more basketball games (143) than any other player in Golden Bears’ history. She finished her career as the Bears all-time 3-point leader (211), and she is ranked third in scoring with 1,982 points.

An All-Pac 10 and honorable mention All-American in 2010, Gray-Lawson also was the top player at 5’8” or under for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award. Later Continued on page 8

Courtesy of Sidney Lane

Faces Around the Bay: Sidney Carey

By Barbara Fluhrer

Sidney Carey was born in Dallas, Texas. He moved with his family to West Oakland as a baby.

His sister is deceased; one brother lives in Oakland.

Carey was the Choir Director at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church for 18 years.

He graduated from McClymonds High with a scholarship in cosmetology and was the first African American to complete a nine-month course at the first Black Beauty School in Oakland: Charm Beauty College.

He earned his License, and then attended U.C., earning a secondary teaching credential. With his Instructors License, he went

on to teach at Laney College, San Mateo College, Skyline and Universal Beauty College in Pinole, among others.

Carey was the first African American hair stylist at Joseph and I. Magnin department store in Oakland and in San Francisco, where he managed the hair stylist department, Shear Heaven.

In 2009, he quit teaching and was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. He was 60 and “too old for a heart transplant”.

His doctors at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) went to court and fought successfully for his right to receive a transplant.

One day, he received a call from Continued on page 8

THE POST, January 31 - February 6, 2024, Page 2

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The Year Ahead: Assembly Speaker Rivas Discusses Priorities, Problems

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia; and Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia.

Three Black U.S. Army Reservists Killed in Drone Attack Near Syrian Border

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), right, was the keynote speaker at PPIC’s Speaker Series on California’s Future event in Sacramento, California, on Jan. 24, 2024. PPIC president and Chief Executive Officer Tani Cantil-Sakauye, left, was the moderator. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

Photo Caption: California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), right, was the keynote speaker at PPIC’s Speaker Series on California’s Future event in Sacramento, California, on Jan. 24, 2024. PPIC president and Chief Executive Officer Tani Cantil-Sakauye, left, was the moderator. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas shared his legislative priorities and vision for the future of California during a luncheon hosted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in downtown Sacramento.

Titled a “Conversation with Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas” for PPIC’s 2024 Speaker Series on California’s Future, the 44-year-old Democrat lawmaker from Hollister, who represents the 29th Assembly District, is the 71st speaker of the Assembly.

The discussion at the Sheraton Hotel took place about two weeks

after Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his $291 Billion January budget proposal.

“These are going to be difficult times,” Rivas said of the task of balancing a budget that has been estimated separately by the Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office to have a deficit between $38 billion and $68 billion. “It’s going to underpin everything we get done this year.

It’s going to impact everything.”

PPIC’s Speaker Series on California’s Future allows “leaders, lawmakers, and changemakers with diverse perspectives to participate critically, constructively, and collaboratively in public conversations,” according to PPIC. PPIC president and Chief Executive Officer Tani CantilSakauye was the moderator of the 60-minute discussion that about 200 guests attended.

Rivas said right after he was sworn in as the Assembly leader that among his top priorities are mental and medical wellness, public safety, affordable housing, homelessness, education,

the state’s entry-level scientists’ wages, and climate change.

He added that his goal is to focus on both urban and rural areas across the state, including improving public services and infrastructure. He explained that wildfires, flooding, droughts, and agriculture productivity are additional concerns.

Rivas shared that legislators should have goals of “addressing critical issues” that lead to “progress, affordability, and improving day-to-day” quality of life for all residents in California.

“These issues are consistent across the state. I prioritize no region over the other,” Rivas told Cantil-Sakauye, the former chief justice of the California Supreme Court.

During the question-and-answer portion of the conversation, Michael L. Younger, the Vice President of Workforce, Strategy, and Innovation at Calbright College asked Rivas about how the state can help individuals with workforce training and achieve Continued on page 7

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Three Black American reservists from the 926th Engineer Brigade, based at Fort Moore, Georgia, lost their lives in a drone attack on a U.S. base near the Jordan-Syria border. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh identified the fallen soldiers as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.

The tragedy occurred at the logistics support base at Tower 22 of the Jordanian Defense Network, where approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are stationed. That base plays a crucial role in providing support for the coalition’s efforts against ISIS, according to Central Command.

The attack marks the third drone strike on the outpost in the past six months, with the first two occurring in the latter half of the previous year being unsuccessful.

Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, said the murders of the three Black reservists cut deeply.

The U.S. government has determined that Iran was responsible for the attack, prompting President Joe Biden to vow a response.

“There will be a response,” Biden declared.

In her last conversation with her mother, Sanders reportedly expressed aspirations to elevate her military career upon returning home from the Middle East.

She also revealed her intention to purchase a motorcycle. Sanders was actively involved in coaching soccer and basketball in her hometown of Waycross, Georgia, and worked at a pharmacy. She was pursuing college courses to become an X-ray technician.

Sanders’ parents shared that she volunteered for deployment to experience different parts of the world. With a history of military service in the family, Sanders had previously deployed to Djibouti and later volunteered for Kuwait, including a stint in Jordan near the Syrian border.

Rivers enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2011 as an interior electrician, according to the U.S. Army Reserve Command Public Affairs Office.

He served “with courage, honor, and a deep sense of duty, embodying the best of New Jersey and our nation,” said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). “His death is a profound loss to his family, friends, colleagues, and our entire country, and a reminder of the heavy debt we owe to our military families for

their sacrifice.”

U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), who represents Willingboro, said in a statement that Rivers served this country and local community with great honor and bravery.

“We are indebted to him and his loved ones for their service and sacrifice,” Kim stated. “We will never forget what Sergeant Rivers and his fellow fallen soldiers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, gave for our nation. May their memory live on in our continued service to our military families.”

Moffett reportedly was no stranger to the military as both of her parents were veterans.

“I was like no you should, but you know she went anyway, because of her dedication to her county, she really really honored her job,” Saryha Truell, one of Moffett’s lifelong friends, told WTOC-TV. “We are reminded that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Lazaroski, Commanding General of the 412th Theater Engineer Command.

“Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Daniels stated.

THE BARBARA LEE & ELIHU HARRIS LECTURE SERIES “Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?”

Attorney General Rob Bonta The Importance of People-Powered Movements

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Thursday, February 8 7:00 pm Beebe Memorial Cathedral 3900 Telegraph Ave, Oakland Secure parking provided.

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THE POST, January 31 - February 6, 2024, Page 4

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George T. Sampson Pioneered the Future of Laundry in America With the First Automatic Clothes Dryer dry the clothes within. This inno-

vation significantly reduced the time and effort required for dry-

ing clothes, freeing up valuable time for families to focus on other aspects of their lives.

The introduction of the au-

tomatic clothes dryer had a profound impact on American house-

holds. Families no longer had to rely solely on outdoor clotheslines, especially during inclem-

ent weather. Sampson’s invention

brought a new level of conve-

nience, allowing people to com-

plete their laundry chores more quickly and efficiently.

Although George T. Samp-

son’s name may not be as widely

known as some other inventors, his contributions to household

Vice President Kamala Harris, official photo.

V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans

By California Black Media Speaking in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a forthcoming federal rule that will extend access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Americans who have been convicted of felonies but have served their time.

Small business owners typically apply for the SBA loans to start

or sustain their businesses.

Harris thanked U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for the work he has done in Washington to support small businesses and to invest in people.

“He and I spent some time this afternoon with business leaders and small business leaders here in Nevada. The work you have been

doing to invest in community and to invest in the ambition and natural capacity of communities has been exceptional,” Harris said, speaking to a crowd of a few hundred people at the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall in East Las Vegas.

On her daylong trip, Harris was joined by Horford, SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Eric Morrissette, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev).

“Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to economic opportunity once they leave prison and return to the community, with an unemployment rate among the population of more than 27%,” the White House press release continued. “Today’s announcement builds on the Vice President’s work to increase access to capital. Research finds that entrepreneurship can reduce recidivism for unemployed formerly incarcerated individuals by as much as 30%.”

technology are invaluable. His

automatic clothes dryer laid the

foundation for the development A Blueprint of GT Sampson’s Clothes Dryer (Courtesy of AppliancesConnection.com)

By Tamara Shiloh

Imagine a world without automatic clothes dryers, where every household chore required a significant amount of time and effort.

Thanks to inventors like George T. Sampson, we now enjoy the convenience of the automatic dryer and other appliances that make our lives easier. In this article, we will explore the life and contributions of George T. Sampson, the developer of America’s first automatic clothes dryer.

George T. Sampson was born on December 22, 1869, in Dayton, Ohio. From a young age, Sampson exhibited a natural curiosity and a keen interest in solving everyday problems. As he grew older, his fascination with

technology and machinery became more pronounced, setting the stage for his groundbreaking inventions later in life.

Sampson’s most notable invention came in 1892 when he patented the design for the first automatic clothes dryer. In a time when households relied on manual methods for drying clothes, Sampson’s invention was a gamechanger. The automatic clothes dryer revolutionized the way families approached laundry, making the process more efficient and less labor-intensive.

Sampson’s invention was based on a simple yet ingenious mechanism. The automatic clothes dryer consisted of a drum that rotated over a stove, allowing the heated air to circulate and

of modern appliances that continue to shape our daily lives.

Sampson’s story serves as

an inspiring example of how a curious mind and a passion for

problem-solving can lead to groundbreaking innovations. His

invention not only made life easier for countless families but also paved the way for future advancements in household appliances.

George T. Sampson’s inven-

tion of America’s first automatic clothes dryer stands as a testament to the power of innovation

and ingenuity. As we enjoy the convenience of modern applianc-

es, it’s important to remember the pioneers like Sampson who paved the way for a more comfortable and efficient way of life.

Continued on page 8

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THE POST, January 31 - February 6, 2024, Page 5

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THE POST, January 31 - February 6, 2024, Page 6

Report: Black Enrollment at Calif. Colleges and Universities Remains Low and Flat

Photo: iStock photo image.

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By California Black Media A report the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released last week revealed that Black student enrollment at California’s institutions of higher learning has remained relatively low and flat.

Over the last two decades, for example, the study found that, compared to all other ethnic groups, total Black student enrollment at the University of California (UC) has increased by a miniscule one percentage point.

During that period, Black young adults from 18 to 24 years

old accounted for between 7% and 8% of the state’s total population but the number enrolled at UC remained in a disproportionately low range, between 4% and 5%.

White student enrollment at UC decreased the most over that time period from 42% in 2000 to 23% in 2021.

Latino student enrollment at UC increased from 14% to 31% and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) student enrollment remained relatively constant from 39% to 40%. But the AAPI total percentage of AAPI students attending UC remained at almost two times higher than the state’s

total population of college-aged AAPI students, which moved from 13% to 15% over that period.

Titled “Student Access,” the report focuses on pathways and barriers to enrollment in higher ed, examines admissions policy, categorizes enrollment by academic specialization, and provides demographic information on students attending California’s private universities and public university systems: California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC).

“The series has two main objectives,” the report’s introduction

reads.

“The first is to help legislators, staff, and the general public track many of the key changes that higher education has undergone over the past few decades,” it continues.

“The second is to help legislators and staff leverage their better understanding of the past to aid them in better navigating the future.”

According to the LAO, the report highlights priorities it recommends members of the Legislature to consider in their decision-making around the budget or higher education policy.

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THE POST, January 31 - February 6, 2024, Page 7

California Atty Gen. Rob Bonta to Speak in Oakland About PeoplePowered Movements

By Post Staff California Attorney General Rob Bonta will speak as part of the Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7 pm at Beebe Memorial Cathedral in Oakland.

The Attorney General will address the Lecture Series topic prompted by Dr. King in his final

published work: Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

Bonta will speak about the importance of people-powered movements and what we can learn from the fact that the most impactful, long-lasting progress our country has seen has been led by communities. Today, engaged citizens, activists, organizers and commu-

nities still have the power to create the change the country desperately needs. Bonta will discuss the importance of investing in, empowering, and uplifting our communities and asserts that there is much we can and must do to confront the economic, political and social dangers that confront us. There is no admission fee to the lecture, and advance reservations are encouraged by calling the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center at (510) 434-3988.

Bonta is the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. His passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America’s most important social justice movements. Instilling in him the lessons they learned from the United Farm Workers and the civil rights movement, Bonta’s parents lit a fire inside him to fight against injustice — to stand up for those who are taken advantage of or harmed. It’s why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School.

As a State Assemblymember prior to being named Attorney General, Bonta enacted nationleading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government

and institutions. As the People’s Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. In elected office, he has taken on powerful interests and advanced systemic change — pursuing corporate accountability, standing up for workers, punishing big polluters, and fighting racial injustice. He has been a national leader in the fight to transform the criminal justice system, banning private prisons and detention facilities in California, as well as pushing to eliminate cash bail in the state. He has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters and working Californians.

About the Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series and the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center The Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series, co-produced by the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center and Peralta Community College District, promotes an ample exchange of ideas to help inspire and move forward new leadership and servantship.

Lectures are organized by the youth and staff at the Freedom Center, with a focus on promoting ideas and actions rooted in principles of nonviolence, and lessons from some of our nation’s most significant civil rights struggles.

The Year Ahead ...

Continued from page 2 labor success without relying on traditional colleges and university. “(I am) speaking to those who may not see themselves on the college track but also have value to society,” Younger asked Rivas.

In his response, Rivas said the labor force needs individuals with work training skills, especially with the rise and usage of artificial intelligence.

“The need to have that transition can’t come soon enough but at the same time we have a responsibility to train displaced workers,” Rivas said.

Carmen-Nicole Cox, director of Government Affairs for American Civil Liberties Union – California Action, asked the Speaker would he accept the “community’s invitation” to take a public health approach to addressing public safety rather than one that criminalizes, demoralizes and focuses on incarceration.

Rivas responded to Cox’s question by explaining that an im-

partial evaluation of public safety should be made initially before providing a resolution.

“Our approach to addressing

public safety is to, first, listen, to be fair throughout our process

and to find solutions. Does that

include addressing public health?

Absolutely,” he said. duced.

Newsom said in an October

2021 letter that AB 105 had “unintended consequences” and “el-

ements of the bill conflict with

existing constitutional requirements, labor agreements, and current data collection efforts.”

“This historic change is the

result of the hard work of Black Americans, all volunteers, who

come from outside of politics and yet were able to make some-

thing big happen,” Lodgson said.

“This is a testament to what each of us can do. Just as important as anything else, as one of my col-

leagues recently shared, you can’t fix a problem if you don’t see a problem.”

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nuary 31 - February 6, 2024, 2024 Page 8 THE POST, January

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Point in Time Count ...

Senate Race: Rep. Barbara Lee, from page 1 extremely familiar with the people Rivals, Set Themselves Apart tinuum ofContinued Care, and cities to un- residing in the encampments they derstand the magnitude of home- were conducting the count in since on Policy and Experience

California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Official Photo.

AG Bonta Says ...

Continued from page 1 trict did not respond to a request for comment from OUSD. The DOJ’s findings showed that the February 2022 decision, later partially rescinded, would have disproportionately impacted Black and low-income elementary students, as well as high-need students with disabilities, according to the media release.

The Attorney General outlined concerns about criteria OUSD has announced that it may rely on to determine future closures, mergers, and consolidations and provided recommendations to ensure OUSD does not violate state law, including prohibitions against closure decisions that reinforce school segregation or disproportionately impact any student group as required by the State Constitution, AB 1912, and anti-discrimination laws.

According to AB 1912, passed in September 2022, financially distressed school districts contemplating school closures, mergers, or consolidations must engage the community before closing schools; conduct an equity impact assessment; and provide the public with the set of criteria the district plans to utilize to make decisions.

In the letter, DOJ identified a “problematic” approach to planning for closing schools in 20252026 and “strongly recommends” steps OUSD should take going forward.

• “Take affirmative steps to ensure that its enrollment and attendance boundary and school closure decisions alleviate

school segregation and do not create disproportionate transportation burdens for protected subgroups.”

• Don’t solely utilize criteria such as school facilities’ conditions, school operating costs, and school capacity without also including an assessment of past and present inequities in resources “due to educational segregation or other causes.”

• Some of OUSD’s proposed guidelines “may improperly penalize schools serving students with disabilities and students who have high needs.”

• The district’s decisions should also include “environmental factors, student demographics and feeder attendance patterns, transportation needs, and special programs.”

• Avoid overreliance on test scores and other quantitative data without also looking at “how each school is serving the needs of its specific student body, especially as it relates to historically marginalized communities.”

• “Engage an independent expert to facilitate community input and equity impact.”

The letter also emphasized that DOJ is willing to provide “feedback and consultation at any time during the process to ensure that OUSD’s process and outcomes are legally compliant and serve the best interests of the school community and all of its students.”

Faces Around the Bay ...

Continued from page 1 CPMC, “Be here in one hour.” He underwent a transplant with a heart from a 25-year- old man in Vienna, Austria Two years later, Carey resumed teaching at Laney College, finally retiring in 2012.

Now, he’s slowed down and comfortable in a Senior Residence in Berkeley, but still manages to fit his 6/4” frame in his 2002 Toyota and drive to family gatherings in Oakland and San Leandro and an occasional Four Seasons Arts con-

cert.

He does his own shopping and cooking and uses Para Transit to keep constant doctor appointments while keeping up with anti-rejection meds. He often travels with doctors as a model of a successful heart-transplant plant recipient: 14 years.

Carey says, “I’m blessed” and, to the youth, “Don’t give up on your dreams!”

Cervical Cancer Month ...

Continued from page 1 to the Office of Minority Health.

Family medicine physician, Joy overall.

A Mayo Clinic article published Anyanwu, stated that the pandemic last month stated that Black women contributed to hesitancy about getare more likely to be diagnosed and ting cervical cancer screenings die of cervical cancer, compared to among some women. Other factors are people’s aversion to vaccines, White women in the U.S. 2,000 Black women are diag- parents not wanting to believe that nosed every year with cervical can- their children are or will become sexually active, and doubt about cer and 40% die as a result.

“This disparity is not due to the overall effectiveness of the vacgenetic differences among White, cine.

“The vaccine is very safe — Black or Hispanic women, but rather related to systemic rac- over 97% effective in preventing ism, access to healthcare and so- cervical cancer,” Anyanwu said. cioeconomic factors,” Dr. Olivia “Even if you aren’t having sex, the Cardenas-Trowers, a Mayo Clinic earlier you start would actually urogynecologist, said in the article. help.”

Anyanwu said she understands Ordonez stated that immigrant women are also highly suscep- that parents might not want to ask tible to the cancer, as many Latin questions about their children’s reAmerican countries may not have productive health, but it’s a mindset accessibility to screenings or lack that can be a barrier to having imof insurance makes it harder for portant conversation about prevention or care. them to get tested.

To keep families their families Hispanic women are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervi- and communties healthy, the doccal cancer, and 30% more likely tor emphasized that people should to die from it, as compared to non- prioritize keeping up with their Hispanic White women, according vaccine series and going to screen-

Steve Gary, Rep. Katie Porter ( D-47) Rep. Barbara Lee ( D-12) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-30) . Photo California Black Media.

By Maxim Elramsisy California Black Media

The race to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away in September last year, took center stage last week at the University of Southern California.

The four leading candidates contesting for the seat currently occupied by Sen. Laphonza Butler, debated in front of a live audience on Jan. 22. The two candidates with the most votes in the March 5 primary will continue to the general election in November.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) sparred with two Democratic congressional colleagues – Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) an Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30) – as well as Republican Steve Garvey, a former first baseman for the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.

The Democrats, who agree broadly on most issues tried to distinguish themselves from each other.

“I have been a consistent progressive who gets the job done, who has delivered for my constituents, and will deliver for California,” said Lee, who disagrees with Porter on earmarks. She supports them and Porter wants to get rid of them.

“Lobbyists and big corporations spend billions to make sure that their agenda is at the top of Washington, D.C.’s agenda. Special interests have too much power and we, as Californians, we don’t have enough,” said Porter.

“I’m calling for an end to earmarks, outlawing corporate pact donations and lobbyist donations, and a ban on Congressmembers trading stock,” Porter said.

Lee, on the other hand, said “I believe in earmarks.”

“I believe in targeting and sending money to non-profits and organizations that deserve their federal dollars,” Lee stated.

Schiff called the audience’s attention to his record as a member of the House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“We have a lot of similarities in our voting record,” Schiff pointed

out, referring to the three Democrats participating in the debate.

“When our country was threatened by a would-be dictator in the oval office, one of us stepped up to the middle of that fight. I took on the President,” Schiff said.

Throughout the debate, Lee drew a correlation between her lived experiences and political perspective: how empathy, relatability and insight drive her advocacy for issues impacting the lives of Californians.

“We have 40 million people.

Twenty million, one paycheck away from poverty. I know that,” said Lee. “I was on public assistance, food stamps, Medi-cal, raising two little boys as a single mom. So many people in California are struggling.”

The biggest divergence on policy came when the debate shifted to the Israel and Palestine.

Lee called for a ceasefire on Oct. 8, one day after Hamas attacked Israel, killed 1400 people and took over 200 hostages — a position she continues to hold.

“Israel deserves to live in peace with security free from Hamas and terrorist attacks,” she said. “The only way Israel is going to be secure is through a permanent ceasefire, a political and diplomatic solution.”

Lee also pointed out that she was the only Congressperson to vote against authorization to use military force in Iraq.

“I said then, and I’m saying now it could spiral out of control. We have to make sure our national security is also protected,” she said.

Schiff said he would support a two-state solution but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. “The United States should support Israel in defending itself. We also should work with Israel to reduce the number of civilian casualties, he said.

On a ceasefire, Porter’s position seemed to fall between the other two democrats. “We need, as the United States, to be pushing for the conditions that can get us to a bilateral, durable peace,” she said.

All three democrats, however, agreed that a two-state solution is the goal. Garvey disagreed.

Fred Korematsu Day ...

Continued from page 1 The 23-year-old Korematsu resisted the order. He underwent cosmetic surgery and assumed a false identity, choosing freedom over unjust imprisonment. His later arrest and conviction sparked a legal battle that would challenge the foundation of civil liberties in America.

Korematsu’s fight culminated in the Supreme Court’s initial ruling against him in 1944. He spent years in a Utah internment camp with his family, followed by time living in Salt Lake City where he was dogged by racism.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford overturned Executive Order 9066.

Seven years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco vacated Korematsu’s conviction. He said in court, “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.”

Korematsu’s dedication and determination established him as a national icon of civil rights and social justice. He advocated for justice with Rosa Parks. In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom saying, “In the long history of our country’s constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls … To that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu.”

After Sept. 11, 2001, Korematsu spoke out against hatred and discrimination, saying what happened to Japanese Americans should not

happen to people of Middle Eastern descent.

Korematsu’s roots in Oakland and his education in OUSD are a source of great pride for the city, according to the school district. His most famous quote, which is on the Korematsu elementary school mural, is as relevant now as ever, “If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up.”

lessness in Alameda County. [The count] enables us to better allocate resources and implement effective programs to tackle this issue headon in a compassionate and inclusive way,” Modersbach said.

St. Mary’s Center was one of the many meeting hubs across the county that hosted volunteers and community officials the morning of the count. The organization has been deeply involved in the effort to provide resources for unhoused people and others in need.

St. Mary’s is a nonprofit in West Oakland that helps seniors and preschool families with food and housing. Last year, the organization helped about 50 seniors find housing after they had fallen on hard times.

Sharon Cornu, executive director of St. Mary’s, said a lot of the older couples and individuals that come into the center have borne the brunt of the skyrocketing cost of living in the Bay Area. The most recent influx of seniors St. Mary’s has seen coming in for help has been made up of people who were evicted when the COVID-19-related moratorium on rent payment ended.

“Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the unhoused and the incredibly high cost of housing is driving them to the streets,” Cornu said.

Among the volunteers were workers with Operation Dignity, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans and those living on the street find shelter, transitional housing and supportive services.

“These are our stomping grounds,” Ivan Magana, program manager for Operation Dignity said.

Magana stated that his team was

Operation Dignity made many visits to these areas while doing community outreach. He said they had even informed some of the unhoused people they knew about the count a few days prior so they would not be alarmed when the enumerators showed up early in the morning to conduct the count.

Not everyone got the memo though, as the volunteers encountered an almost violent situation around 6 a.m. when a young woman living in a bus yelled at the Operation Dignity workers to leave her alone.

Luckily, the three-year experience Magana has working with Operation Dignity and his knowledge of therapeutic health services, equipped him with the techniques needed to deescalate the tension.

The woman soon realized who the volunteers were and apologized, he said.

Another volunteer and Operation Dignity worker, Yolanda Kirkpatrick, noted that she was initially hesitant because of the early schedule. She felt the time deterred others from participating, too.

Her prediction would come true as the hours went on and they continued to walk along 24th St. in downtown Oakland and there was very little activity on the streets.

The volunteers shared similar sentiments. Although the people they were engaging for the count and surveys tend to distrust outsiders, the PIT count is necessary for the city to receive the appropriate level of federal funds to address a crisis that is spiraling out of control in California.

A full analysis and report of the count will be made available in the summer.

Continued from page 1 that year, she was a third-round pick of the Washington Mystics in 2010 and played with the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association in 2011 and 2012. She also played professionally overseas in Turkey and Israel.

Other inductees are Clifford Ray (Basketball); Lee Lacy (Baseball); Spencer Haywood (Basketball); and Mohinder Singh Gil (Track & Field).

Organizers say the event promises to be a “historic and celebratory evening,” and iconic personalities from across the professional sports industry and its various disciplines will attend.

The no-host cocktail hour begins at 5:45 p.m.; dinner at 6:45 p.m.; and the ceremony at 7:45 p.m. All times are prompt. General tickets are $250.00; Seniors (65 and older) $150.00, and students $50. This includes dinner and the ceremony. Ta-

bles of 10 are available as well, and early purchase is recommended.

MESHOF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring athletes from all corners of the globe who have made significant contributions to the world of sports and broadening the public’s understanding of the contributions people of color have made to professional sports; and to provide educational life skills and mentorship opportunities for deserving youth.

Proceeds will help maintain the City of Oakland’s Curt Flood Field, Oakland Parks & Recreation, and MESHOF’s after school and mental health initiatives.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.multiethnicsportshof.com.

For additional information, please contact: Arif Khatlib @ afrosportshall@aol.com or India Alston @ india@beamcreativehouse.com.

Oakland WNBA Player ...