SB American Week Ending 9/12

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Vol. 49 No. 20

September 6, 2018 - September 12, 2018

This publication is a Certified DBE/ SBE / MBE in the State of California CUCP #43264 Metro File #7074 & State of Texas File #802505971 Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or words or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)

‘BlacKkKlansman’ Delivers Critical and Powerful Message

Editor in Chief’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News

Beyond the Rhetoric FINALLY, KENYA AND THE U.S. HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN! By Harry C. Alford, Co-Founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Contributor

The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Somalia's First Lady, Saynab Abdi Moalim (left) at the inauguration ceremony of the Somalia's newly elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo in Mogadishu on February 22, 2017. AMISOM

Spike Lee has created an iconic body of storytelling that has left an indelible mark on filmmaking and television. His career spans 30 years and includes She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do The Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, Girl 6, Get on the Bus, He Got Game, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled, 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna, Red Hook Summer, Old Boy, and Chi-Raq. Even though “BlacKkKlansman” is set in the 1970s, the themes in the film are just as relevant today as they were back then, Anita Bennett, the managing editor and creator of Urban Hollywood 411, told NNPA Newswire. “We have a president who constantly attacks Black athletes, newscasters and politicians, and white nationalists marching in the streets,” she said. “The racial climate in this country is toxic, [so] if Spike Lee can open just one person’s eyes to the systematic racism that African Americans face every day, then he accomplished what he set out to do,” Bennett said. The longtime entertainment

journalist joined a chorus of other experts who noted that Lee’s latest film continues to receive positive reviews, with critics and fans alike celebrating it for sparking a much-needed conversation about the current political climate and the complex relationship between law enforcement and the Black community. Several critics and actors told NNPA Newswire that Lee has deftly used his platform to expose systemic injustice while advocating for African-Americans and other minorities. Bennett said it’s important that the Black Press continues to spotlight films like “BlacKkKlansman,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and

COMMENTARY: Criticism of Rev. Jasper Williams Follow His Remarks at Aretha Franklin’s Funeral BlackPressUSA , Lauren Victoria Burke

Rev. Williams referenced black-on-black crime, said single mothers are incapable of raising sons alone and proclaimed that black America has lost its soul and it’s “now time for black America to come back home.” Saying his subject was “Aretha the Queen of Soul,” Rev. Jasper Williams of the Salem Bible Church in Atlanta gave the audience gathered for Aretha Franklin’s funeral a few unexpected memories laced with political commentary. Though he began simply, referring to the history of soul music and gospel, his talk became political as he Williams appeared towards the end of the ten-hour service. Rev. Williams was one of over three dozen speakers at Franklin’s lengthy Detroit home going ceremony.

Rev. Williams referenced blackon-black crime, said single mothers are incapable of raising sons alone and proclaimed that black America has lost its soul and it’s “now time for black America to come back home.” “Where is your soul, black man?” he asked the audience at one point. “As I look in your house, there are no fathers in the home no more. Where is your soul?” “Seventy percent of our households are led by our precious, (continued in next 2 columns)

“Blindspotting.” “The Black Press champions and helps spread the word about films from African-American directors and writers, as well as movies that focus on issues important to the black community,” Bennett said. “The Black Press – and I’m not talking about gossip websites – but industry-focused outlets like EUR Web, Blackfilm.com, and Urban Hollywood 411, write stories about these films and post interviews with the people behind him. We talk about the movies on social media and encourage Black audiences to go see them,” Bennett said. Actor, director and film producer Shiek Mahmud-Bey said the

Black Press enables filmmakers like himself, Tyler Perry and Spike Lee, to remain relevant and provides a platform to tell the untold stories that are meaningful to African-Americans. “It’s a one-hand-washes-theother thing,” said Mahmud-Bey, the CEO of 25th Frame Films. “Only the Black Press can tell our story the way it needs to be told and only Black filmmakers can put that story in perspective and deliver it to a wide audience on screen,” he said. “BlacKkKlansman” earned about $11 million during its opening weekend, making it Lee’s third best box office debut. (continued on page 6)

COMMENTARY: Criticism of Rev. Jasper Williams Follow His Remarks at Aretha Franklin’s Funeral...continued proud, fine black women. But as proud, beautiful and fine as our black women are, one thing a black woman cannot do. A black woman cannot raise a black boy to be a man. She can’t do that. She can’t do that,” Rev. Williams said. “It amazes me how it is that when the police kills one of us, we’re ready to protest march, destroy innocent property,” he said. “We’re ready to loot, steal whatever we want. …But when we kill 100 of us, nobody says anything. Nobody does anything,” he went on. “There was a time when we as a race had a thriving economy. I remember we had our own little grocery stores. We had our own little hotels. They weren’t big and fancy, but they were ours. As bad as the days as Jim Crow and segregation were … it forced us to each other instead of forcing us on each other. We quickly come to realize that as a people, all we really have is one another,” Rev. Williams said during his 40-minute eulogy to Franklin. Social media quickly blew up after Rev. Williams spoke in response. Legendary singer Stevie Wonder proclaimed the phrase “black lives do matter,” as he turned in the direction of Rev. Williams after the minister left the

stage. Singer Gladys Knight’s performance was also viewed as a moment that brought the ceremony back from Williams’ political speech. “Black Mothers been raising Black boys for years!! We’re Still are raising proud, accomplished and aware Black man!! I should have known! Rest of this eulogy has been a conservative Black confusion rant!” wrote attorney Barbara Arwine from her twitter feed during the speech. “Folks, he can’t see, but Stevie Wonder can hear. And he is offering a rebuke to the eulogy. Don’t think for a second, he isn’t! And the folks in the room heard it,” wrote journalist Roland Martin, who attended the service. “Reverend Jasper Williams plantation style speech at #ArethaFranklinFuneral is a prime example why there is a total disconnect between young Black people and the older Black church crowd. All that cowardly “you’s gots to do better” talk ain’t fooling these kids,” offered anti-racism strategist Tariq Nasheed on twitter. Before Rev. Williams spoke, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Ceasar, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lewis and Ron (continued on page 3)

For a while it seemed like a hopeless dream. The National Black Chamber of Commerce has been making trips to Kenya since 2003. There have been ups and downs, achievements and accomplishments. But the main thing we and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry wanted was big, business interaction between our nations. The effort has been consistent on our part, but the Kenya chamber would change complete management every time there was a national election. Three of the 33 tribes would compete for control – Kikuyu, Luo and Kalenjin. It was back and forth and sometimes in circles. Then came the rise of President Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the Founding Father of the nation – Jomo Kenyatta. He has won two straight terms and there is consistency taking form, at least on the macro level. There appears to be no signs of squabbling and President Kenyatta is getting the international respect that he deserves. That was not always the case. The World Court frowned upon Kenya during the last two elections. They blame much of the violence and controversy on Uhuru’s campaign. That was never proven. However, President Barack Obama never got along with President Kenyatta. He was, from my opinion, condescending to Africa and particularly Kenya, the land of his father’s birth. In his autobiography, he talks about how badly the Jomo Kenyatta government treated his father. It must have been a grudge. In one controversial exchange Obama criticized Kenya’s policy towards homosexuals. In so many words, President Kenyatta retorted that a homosexual act in Kenya was a felony causing punishment with imprisonment. The relationship never became positive – nor did the business interaction between Kenya and the

United States. Oh, how times have changed! Presidents Trump and Kenyatta are in a “groove.” I guess it is about the “art of the deal.” Kenya and the U.S. are engaged in business deals on an ongoing basis. Let’s break it down. A couple of years ago Kenya announced its new railway project, spanning from the capital Nairobi to the major seaport town of Mombasa. Of course, to no one’s surprise it was awarded to China. However, the matching tollway project was awarded to Bechtel Construction. This is a $4 billion monster project. Not only is a U.S. company going to build four lane expressways, the financing has been arranged by our own Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, an American government program. Ground breaks in 2018, with an aggressive completion target of 2019. More than 4,000 jobs will be involved in this. I have been on the current two – lane road from Nairobi to Mombasa and it is a big strain. I can’t wait to go on the new four lane expressway. I will probably rent a car and enjoy every mile. You drive through precious landscape replete with giraffes, zebras, impala and the likes. Last month, President Kenyatta and his crew came to Washington, DC to finalize an aggressive program with President Trump and Wilbur Ross, Secretary of the Department of Commerce. His country must be so proud of him. Like Julius Caesar coming back from his conquest of England, “He came, He saw, He conquered.” On August 27, President Kenyatta, Secretary Ross, four senior government officials and 30 U.S. corporate executives announced over $850 million in public and private partnerships (PPP). During the announcement President Uhuru stated: “Kenya is open for business, and all we want to do is package our part(continued on page 8)

Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement 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.


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