Vol. 48 No. 35
December 21, 2017 - December 27, 2017
This publication is a Certified DBE/ SBE / MBE in the State of California CUCP #43264 Metro File #7074 & State of Texas File #802505971 The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Trump Bans ‘Diversity’ and Six Other Words from use at Centers for Disease Control
Editor in Chief’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Democrat Doug Jones Stuns Moore, Trump and the RNC to Win Sessions’ Senate Seat By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor)
“Transgender” and “vulnerable” also banned along with “evidence-based” in continued Bannon-esque adulation of ignorance and hate. By Kaitlyn D’Onofrio
The President The nation’s health protection agency is being censored by the Trump administration, according to a report from The Washington Post. Seven words — “diversity,” “transgender,” “evidencebased,” “science-based,” “vulnerable,” “entitlement” and “fetus” — have all reportedly been banned from use at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in documents relating to next year’s budget. An analyst who attended a briefing on the new requirements told The Post that in some cases a different phrase was provided. “Science-based” and “evidencebased” can, for instance, be replaced with “CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes.” Not every banned word received a new option. CDC officials have disputed the claim. CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald in a series of tweets said “there are no banned words at CDC.” Dr Brenda Fitzgerald @CDCDirector I want to assure you there are
no banned words at CDC. We will continue to talk about all our important public health programs. 7:57 AM - Dec 17, 2017 1,414 Replies 10,526 Retweets 29,488 likes Dr Brenda Fitzgerald @CDCDirector Replying to @CDCDirector You may be understandably concerned about recent media reports alleging that CDC is banned from using certain words in budget documents. I want to assure you that CDC remains committed to our public health mission as a science- and evidence-based institution. 10:00 AM - Dec 17, 2017 313 Replies 1,823 Retweets 5,520 likes Dr Brenda Fitzgerald @CDCDirector Replying to @CDCDirector As part of our commitment to provide for the common defense of the country against health threats, science is and will remain the foundation of our work. 10:00 AM - Dec 17, 2017
At least six dead after Amtrak train derails in Washington
31 Replies 398 Retweets 2,057 likes Dr Brenda Fitzgerald @CDCDirector Replying to @CDCDirector CDC has a long-standing history of making public health and budget decisions that are based on the best available science and data and for the benefit of all people—and we will continue to do so. 10:00 AM - Dec 17, 2017 62 Replies 494 Retweets 2,048 likes Matt Lloyd, a spokesman for the department of Health and Human Services, provided a statement to multiple media outlets also rejecting the notion that there are “banned words.” “The assertion that HHS has ‘banned words’ is a complete mischaracterization of discussions regarding the budget formulation process,” Lloyd said. “HHS will continue to use the best scientific evidence available to improve the health of all Americans. HHS also strongly encourages the use of outcome and evidence data in program evalua-
tions and budget decisions.” The analyst who spoke with the Post insisted that it is in fact a ban. “What would you call it when you’re told not to use those words?” the analyst questioned. “If that’s not a ban, maybe I need to improve my vocabulary.” And according to health experts, to ban words could prove deadly. An official with Planned Parenthood told STAT that the directives will put “millions of lives in danger.” “You cannot fight against the Zika virus, or improve women’s and fetal health, if you are unable to use the word ‘fetus.’ You must be able to talk about science and evidence if you are to research cures for infectious diseases such as Ebola,” said Dana Singiser, the organization’s VP of public policy. “You must be able to acknowledge the humanity of transgender people in order to address their health care needs. You cannot erase health inequities faced by people of color simply by forbidding the use of the words ‘vulnerable’ or ‘diversity.’” Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, said that the ban will likely extend beyond the budget report. “So of course the administration and its defenders are going to argue that this is only about what goes into the budget,” Jha reported to STAT. “But we know that the signal to the agency is much stronger than that. And it’s going to change behavior of people who work there. And that’s much more damaging than any direct censorship.” Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health, told The Associated Press that banning certain words speaks volumes to the (continued on page 3)
Gamma Omega Chapter Honors The Senior Residents In The Community Community News
Democratic candidate Doug Jones defeated former judge Roy Moore in a highly contentious special election in Alabama for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ vacated U.S. Senate seat. (Wikimedia Commons) A heavy African American turnout in Alabama’s special election propelled underdog Democratic candidate Doug Jones to victory, in a hotly-contested race against the flawed, yet heavily-favored, Republican candidate Roy Moore. The New York Times reported that Jones defeated Moore 49.9 percent to 48.4 percent with 1.7 percent of voters preferring a write-in candidate. According to CNN exit polling, 68 percent of White voters, including 72 percent of White men voters and 63 percent of White women voters, supported Moore, an alleged child predator. Meanwhile, 96 percent of Black voters supported Jones, including 93 percent of Black men voters and 98 percent of Black women voters. Blacks accounted for a 29 percent share of all voters in the special election in Alabama. Black voter turnout played a key role in getting Jones elected as Alabama voters were forced to choose between a Republican who’s perceived as a racist and accused of child abuse and a Democrat who has earned his chops prosecuting the Ku Klux Klan. The contest also was viewed, by many, as a test of racial progress in the Deep South, and the power of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric to sway voters. Trump campaigned hard for Moore, recording a robocall for the former judge, and convincing the Republican National Committee (RNC) to back the man who was possibly banned from the local mall in Gadsen for badgering young women, according to “The New Yorker.” On the day of the special election, #RoyMoore trended all day
on Twitter with some straight-forward and emotional posts. “That White Supremacist #RoyMoore rode in on a horse to vote. Kudos to him,” tweeted Greg Carr, chair of Howard University’s Department of AfroAmerican studies and frequent guest on “NewsOne Now” on TV One. “As White Supremacy dies, this is what it looks like. It won’t go without a fight. Bannon. Trump. Moore. All of their comrades and enablers. They’re daring humanity to respond.” One of Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore’s posts was retweeted more than 30,000 times: “Another #RoyMoore supporter just called my office posing as an @AP reporter. Once their cover was blown they started screaming and called me and my staff the n-word and other racial slurs. I won’t be intimidated. I won’t stop speaking out. You will not shut me down. Believe it.” Already facing numerous accusations of sexual misconduct with children, Moore, in recent weeks, further aligned himself with the old South with his racially insensitive comments. When asked by a reporter to explain the last time America was great, Moore didn’t hesitate to respond with stunning clarity with an answer that seemed to out-Trump the president’s comments when he was on the campaign trail. “I think it was great at the time when families were united—even though we had slavery. They cared for one another,” Moore said. “People were strong in the families. Our families were strong. Our country had a direction.” (continued on page 7)
US news
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Congratulates California Schools Recognized as National Title I Distinguished Schools See page 2
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Singing. dancing and testimonies by the youth group and residents brought smiles to everyone’s face.
The train derailed approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle. This is the first day of the new route for the train
from Seattle to Portland. Officials say at least six people are dead and 77 injured, of 78 passengers and five crew members on board.
It was a great day for the senior residents at the Highland Palms Health Care Center, located in Highland, California. Members of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Gamma Omega Chapter and their youth group celebrated the Christmas Holiday by bringing cheers, treats and gifts to the residents of Highland Palms Health Care Center on Saturday, December 9th 2017. There was singing, dancing and
testimonies from the residents and members of Gamma Omega Chapter. The highlight of the visit was the recitals and personal interactions with the youth group and the residents that brought smiles to everyone’s face. Gamma Omega Chapter continues to remain faithful to the Sorority’s Motto “Not For Ourselves, But For others”.
Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.