SB American News Week Ending 10/12

October

2022 Thursday Edition

COMMENTARY: Emmett Till Lives

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Roy Bryant,

By David Johnson, Contributing Writer | Los Angeles Sentinel

Classism, racism, war, and corporate greed are malicious outliers, which in their ways, plague the United States and global civilization abroad. Recollect back to 1955, Post World War, Two United States and these same outliers were a virus dividing and corrupting the United States and most of the world. In that year 1955, a 14-year-old Black male teenager from Chicago was sent by his mother to visit his family in Money, Mississippi. This innocent teenager was named Emmett Louis Till. Actually, Emmett was having a great time visiting his southern family, receiving all the love and attention and having care-free fun for three days into his visit before the horrid curse of violent, racist injustice struck Emmett Till, his family and the United States of America!

Emmett Till was born on July 25, 1941, and was murdered August 28, 1955. Emmett,as most Americans know, was violently tortured and murdered in Money, Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a married, White woman named Carolyn Bryant. This rule was a long held racial taboo in the Southern States. Black males were not allowed to even look at White women in their eyes in public let alone whistle at them or around them. Such racist, classist unjust social rules were a result of the terrible slavery system and were passed down as the Jim Crow racist injustice system of the South. Being born and raised in Chicago, Till wasn’t accustomed to such public social rules. Although racist outliers existed against Blacks in Chicago, they were not as rigid and as violently enforced as in the Southern States.

This case was indicative of the racial hatred perpetuated against Blacks or African Americans throughout all of the United States almost one hundred years after slavery supposedly, ended. This case was terrible and exposed how the entire society of Mississippi

and the South was a prison and or torture chamber for Blacks. Contradicting these facts, the Whites of the South claimed to be the most civilized humans on Earth at the time. This clear permanence of racial hatred and systematic genocidal programming against one group, the Black Americans also contradicted the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution ratified Articles 13 and 14, developed after the end of the Civil War.

Young Emmett was tracked down the day after the so-called whistling incident. The White husband of the woman and his White male friends along with a Black man, came to the home where Till was staying. They barged in the home and grabbed Emmet, along with Emmett’s cousin, Simeon Wright. Simeon was with Emmett at the time of the whistling incident. After figuring out which of the boys was the one who supposedly whistled, the abductors bust the teeth out of Simeons mouth by throwing him off their truck then taking off with Emmett. Witnesses said in trial, they saw them drive up with Emmet and took him into a barn and tormented Emmett for hours. The witness said they heard Emmet screaming for hours and they could hear the whipping and beating blows they were hitting him so hard.

Roy Bryant, the husband of the woman who claimed she was whistled at and brother-inlaw, J.W. Milam kidnapped and brutally murdered Emmett Till. They dumped his body in the Tallahatchie River. This murder shocked the nation by gaining global media coverage. In turn, this case infused a generation of Black Americans to create and join the Civil Rights movement. With nationwide media coverage, the funeral of Emmett Till was held in Chicago with an open casket where anyone could see the terrible swelling and mutilation from the

beating put on Emmett by the murderers.

Outrage ensued throughout the nation and even world-wide for such racist brutality being allowed in the United States. Black media outlets and organizations went in with all resources exposing the tragedy by even putting Emmett Till’s funeral casket picture on their front pages. Jet Magazine even put the picture on the front of their magazine. Black politicians, the NAAACP and Black celebrities expressed their heart break and outrage at this ongoing continuing murder and rape of Blacks throughout the United States.

Then came the trial and attempt to get justice for Emmett’s family and for the Black community held in Sumner, Mississippi in September 1955. Emmett’s great-uncle testifying against the murderers marked the first time a Black human testified against a White human in the state of Mississippi. The problem was the defense was up against long held practices of allowing White people to murder, rape and torture Blacks in Mississippi. It was clear what the outcome would be when the judge threw out all the testimonies given by all witnesses to the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till, even after they testified in court. The murderers were acquitted of all charges including the murder charges. With all the media coverage, it was clear to the entire world the U.S. government was continuing the oppression of Black Americans although the U.S. was proclaiming itself to be the beacon of justice and freedom.

This case galvanized generations of Blacks and some non-Blacks to take up the cause of human rights and justice throughout the United States. With the likes of Paul Robeson and those generations of devotees who worked and lived for justice and freedom, African Americans as myself could get our

J.W. Milam

education and I am free to write this article and you are free to read it. In 2007, a Federal Bill named ‘The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Right Crime Act” was created due to continual effort of noble citizenry. All of the Civil Rights work and successes make it clear that we have the ability and right to challenge laws and practices no matter how old and how cherished by the rich and or the government. With all this revealed, Misses Carolyn Bryant in her later age of 82, recanted her claim about Emmett Till whistling at her in an interview stating it wasn’t true and it did not happen.

Justice cannot only become a thing of the past, a memory of the noble generations who sacrificed for current generations liberties and rights. Justice has to be openly taught as a pillar of the African American Legacy! Does nobility matter any longer and to who? What are the current injustices being ignored and which type and class are perpetuating the injustices and which groups are the victims? The United States and world should be careful that the mirror of the past does not continue to reflect ugly faces.

Over the last decade, Blacks were being murdered on camera continually by police officers of the law even though White males continue to be the super majority of people who murder cops. Also, the all-White male police officers did this while there was an African American President of the United States. Clearly, this is an agenda. This is evidence that the agenda to torment and murder Blacks has and will continue in the United States if African Americans and immigrants and other underrepresented ethnic groups do not organize together and concentrate resources and effort on stopping the killings … not to mention the world’s biggest privately-owned prison system, holding the highest number of humans on Earth. This clearly is systematic strategy and not random.

Many, such as Dr. Cornell West, say that we live in a more Autocratic Authoritarian state in the U.S. than ever before. Thus, I ponder, was slavery transformed? Was Jim Crow and Apartheid implemented throughout the United States in covert methods to this day? Ku Klux Klan leader, Neo Nazi representative David Duke once said, and I paraphrase, “We, the Ku Klux Klan took off our hoods and put on suits and ties and filled the politician seats and board rooms and senator’s seats.”

How

IN MEMORIAM: Hip Hop Icon Coolio Dies at 59

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In addition to music, Coolio enjoyed a successful television career. He appeared on shows like “Black Jesus,” “All That,” “The Nanny,” and “Fear Factor.”

Coolio, whose signature song “Gangsta’s Paradise” played a vital role in securing hip-hop as the popular music of choice, has died at age 59.

The artist reportedly died on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house. While paramedics suspect Coolio succumbed to cardiac arrest, the medical examiner hasn’t released an official cause of death.

Born on Aug. 1, 1963, in Compton, Coolio’s real name was Artis Leon Ivey, Jr.

He enjoyed six top Billboard hits, including 1995’s Gangsta’s Paradise, which reached 1 billion streams on Spotify earlier this year.

Spending three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and 11 straight weeks on the Hot Rap Songs list, Gangsta’s Paradise earned Coolio a Grammy and a Billboard Music Award.

The hit single earned rankings among Billboard’s 100 Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs.

In addition to music, Coolio enjoyed a successful television career. He appeared on shows like “Black Jesus,” “All That,” “The Nanny,” and “Fear Factor.”

“Peaceful Journey, Brother,” Questlove tweeted in tribute

following news of Coolio’s death.

“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio,” actress Michelle Pfeiffer wrote on Instagram while sharing a clip from the famous music video, where she sits across the table from Coolio.

“A life cut entirely too short. I remember him being nothing but gracious,” Pfeiffer stated.

Tributes also poured in from stars like Snoop Dogg, who posted a picture of him and Coolio from an earlier music video.

MC Hammer called Coolio one of the nicest individuals he’d known while sharing a photo of himself, Snoop, and the late Tupac Shakur.

“This is sad news,” Ice Cube shared.

“I witnessed firsthand this man’s grind to the top of the industry.”

Los Angeles-based artist Teddi Gold, who worked with Coolio, also mourned the icon.

“I have an immense amount of gratitude and love for Coolio,” Gold wrote in a statement.

“His musicianship, big heart, sense of humor, and loyalty to his friends and family were the light he shared with the world.”

Bill Offering $1000 Tax Breaks for Families Without Cars Vetoed by Gov. Newsom

By Edward Henderson| California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office released a statement last week announcing that Senate Bill (SB) 457 was among a slew of bills sent back to the Legislature without his signature.

SB 457 proposed a $1000 tax credit to California households with zero registered vehicles.

“Addressing climate change is one of our state 's highest priorities. We have made historic investments in programs to reduce emissions and improve public transportation. I support approaches to incentivize a transition from vehicles to more sustainable transportation, however the estimated cost to implement this bill is nearly one billion dollars per year and is not accounted for in the budget,”

Newsom said in a statement.

Often, when the Governor vetoes a bill it's because its financial viability is questionable.

Supporters of SB 457 say the legislation was written to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. With around 28 million vehicles on the road in California, the bill’s author, Sen. Anthony Portantino

husband

Mourners at Emmett Till’s funeral. (Photo: David Mann, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives)

Arthur Allen Fletcher, "The Father Of Affirmative Action"

Contributed By David Hamilton Golland

Arthur Allen Fletcher is known to many as the father of affirmative action. In the following account historian David Hamilton Golland describes the career of Fletcher, a Republican civil rights activist during the last half of the 20th Century.

Arthur Allen Fletcher, known to many as the father of affirmative action, was born on December 22, 1924, in Phoenix, Arizona. Little is known of Fletcher’s birth father, but his mother, Edna, soon married Buffalo Soldier Andrew Fletcher, who would eventually adopt Arthur. The family moved from one Army base to another for much of Arthur’s childhood before finally settling in Junction City, Kansas.

Fletcher graduated from Junction City High School in 1943, after leading a protest against the school yearbook which placed the photos of black students in a separate section in the back of the publication. Fletcher in his senior year organized a boycott of the segregated yearbook and the following year the practice was permanently dropped.

While at Junction City High Fletcher met Mary Harden, a daughter of one of the local black community’s wealthiest families. Harden’s grandparents had owned much of the land that eventually became Fort Riley. They married in May 1943 just as he graduated.

Within a year their daughter Phyllis was born, followed by Sylvia (1945), Arthur, Jr. (1947),

Paul (1948), and Philip (1949).

Fletcher joined the U.S. Army immediately upon graduation from high school and in the Spring of 1944 was sent to England, where he performed in one of many Army bands and played intramural football. In the fall of 1944 he was a military police officer on the “Red Ball Express” supply line in France. The following spring Fletcher was wounded while serving in Germany in General George Patton’s Third Army. He recovered and was discharged later that year.

Returning to Kansas after the war, Fletcher enrolled in Washburn University in Topeka on the G.I. Bill. While at Washburn he was a doorman at the state legislature and a waiter at the Jayhawk Hotel, a popular gathering spot for politicians. Fletcher also participated in local meetings in support of the black community’s anti-segregation case against the

Topeka School Board which eventually became known as Brown v. Board of Education. Fletcher was more than just a concerned black parent; he was most interested in the political side of the civil rights movement.

Fletcher, who had lettered in football and track in high school, also became a star player on the Washburn football team. After his graduation in 1950 he was recruited to play defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams in their summer exhibition season. That fall he became the first black player for the Baltimore Colts. The original Colts franchise folded after the 1950 season, and Fletcher then played with the Hamilton Tigers in the Canadian Football League where he remained a second string player.

Fletcher’s professional football career ended in 1954 and he returned to Topeka again just in time to campaign among black

voters for liberal Republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Hall. Fletcher had met Hall during his college years when the GOP candidate was a young Ford County attorney. Hall won the governor’s race and appointed Fletcher deputy highway commissioner. With the construction of the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System in full swing across the state, Fletcher, by his own admission, used his position to further his financial interests, including a talent booking agency and used car lot.

In 1956 Hall’s reelection effort ended when he was defeated in the GOP primary. With Republicans deeply divided, George Docking became the first Democratic governor in the state since 1939. Hall again campaigned for governor in 1958 and again lost in the GOP primary. As Kansas Republicans were becoming increasingly more conservative, Hall, who supported civil rights and opposed “right to work” legislation, seemed out of step with his party.

After his 1958 defeat Hall left Kansas for California where he took a job with Aerojet General in Sacramento. Fletcher, who now found difficulty getting employment commensurate with his college degree, decided in 1959 to join Hall in Sacramento where the former governor had arranged a job with Aerojet.

The Fletcher family drove west

Inflation Hammering Americans Although an End May Be in Sight

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Dr. Linwood Tauheed said the United States could end up with “the worse possible of all worlds” as the US economy struggles to recover from a devastating global pandemic, supply chain problems, absorbing the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the widespread sanctions imposed against Russia for invading Ukraine.

By Barrington M. Salmon, NNPA Newswire Contributor

prices in 40 years.

PRICES GOING UP, UP, UP …

Greer Marshall and Montina Vital told the NNPA they feel the effects of this crushing inflation every time they make a purchase, go to a restaurant, the corner store, supermarket or gas station.

Everywhere ordinary Americans turn, it seems, the spectre of inflation haunts their everyday lives. Everything costs more: Food. Shelter. Gasoline. Eating out. Clothes. Vehicles. And a most goods and services.

Illustrating the pervasive nature of inflation, is that rents, the cost of new and used cars and even something seemingly unconnected like dental services have seen increases. Meanwhile wages and salaries have scarcely kept up with red hot inflation. American families are paying what the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Moody’s Analytics estimates to be an addition $493 a month for food and other goods in June because of inflation which jumped to 9.1 percent compared to 2021. It’s the biggest 12-month hike in

“I am cutting back on some of my expenses and telling my children to find a job. Young people are used to buying sushi up the street. That’s $20 per person per trip,” said Marshall, a documentary filmmaker and video journalist. “Grocery shopping is not looking the same as it used to be. When I go to the supermarket or grocery store, I can only afford to get the items I eat that day or the day after because I cannot fathom the price of some things. The price of grapes is ridiculous. It’s like $3 a pound!”

Marshall, mother of two, said she has become creative in finding ways to cope.

“I’m not going out to do entertainment things and I’m learning to live with less. I am more focused on what I absolutely need,” she said. “When I’m home,

continued on page 7

Study Finds Community College System Fails to Produce Equitable Outcomes for Black Students

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

More than one in three Black community college students are in poverty, and widespread inequality in community colleges deepened throughout the pandemic for Black students facing basic needs insecurity.

According to a new report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies on the state of Black students at community colleges, an alarming 70 percent of Black students experienced food or housing insecurity or homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlighted that while Black students remain disproportionately represented in community colleges, policy barriers prevent the system from producing equitable outcomes.

“Black workers are struggling to make ends meet during this health and economic crisis. Community colleges provide a path forward to ensure workforce readiness for all, but there are barriers holding back Black students from reaching their full potential,” Dr. Alex Camardelle, the director of workforce policy at the Joint Center, said in a news release.

“On average, Black students at community colleges experience lower graduation rates and earn tens of thousands of dollars less after graduation while having to take on more debt than their peers to pay for school,” Camardelle stated.

He noted that things should be different.

“With targeted basic needs support, child care, improved transfer pathway policies, and better evaluations of community

college outcomes by race, our policymakers can do right by Black community college students,” Camardelle added.

“And the biggest takeaway of all — making community colleges tuition-free will benefit Black students the most.”

Joint Center researchers said basic needs insecurity is also closely associated with enrollment declines.

“While COVID-19 emergency funds authorized by Congress pushed community colleges to introduce more support for meeting students’ basic needs, barriers to accessing those supports remain,” study authors found.

For example, 68 percent of Black male students at community colleges experience basic needs insecurity.

Still, only 31 percent of those with need accessed on campus resources meant to connect students with aid because too few knew they were available or do not know how to apply, the researchers discovered.

Meanwhile, the authors

concluded that Black student enrollment at community colleges has steadily declined over time and has dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the chief findings:

From fall 2019 to fall 2021, enrollment fell 18 percent for all Black students and 23.5 percent and 15 percent for Black men and Black women, respectively.

Black community college students experience the lowest graduation rates when compared to their peers of other races and ethnicities.

The gap between Black and white graduation rates more than doubled from a fourpercentage point gap in 2007 to an 11-percentage point divide in 2020.

The typical Black community college graduate earns $20,000 less per year than their classmates. White households with workers who hold a high school diploma earn $2,000 more than Black

Arthur Allen Fletcher Public Domain Image

Researchers found that Black community college graduates owe 123 percent of the original amount they borrowed 12 years after beginning their community college journey.

The Consumer Price Index’s standing at 9.1 percent in June was proof that inflation was burning hot and still spiraling. The prior month, the CPI stood at 8.6 percent, then the highest rate in 40 years. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Save Our Water Partners with African American Beauty and Barber Shops Across California to Share Water Conservation Tips

Sacramento, CA – Black-owned beauty and barber shops have partnered with Save Our Water to provide clients with water saving tips and resources to encourage conservation as a part of their daily lives. The initiative launched on September 30 and will continue through October 9 at locations in Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego.

“Partnering with trusted community members at places like beauty salons and barbershops will encourage more Californians to have conversations about their water use and implementing easy water saving practices,” said Margaret Mohr, Deputy Director of Communications for the California Department of Water Resources. “We appreciate all these businesses helping to get the word out to their customers because all our actions make a collective impact.”

The program distributes educational and promotional materials for local businesses to share. Participating salons and barbershops have branded capes, t-shirts, and travel-size toiletries for clients, as well as contest entry boxes for customers to enter a raffle to win $1,000 towards updating the winner’s garden with drought-tolerant plants.

“We are happy to partner with Save Our Water to help educate our community and create a local space to talk about water conservation,” said Steven Gray, owner of Cali Coast Barbershop.

“We’re working to make sure everyone in our community feels empowered to make conserving a part of their daily routine.”

Beauty salons and barbershops have always been an integral part of communities by supporting business ownership, contributing to the local economy, and providing cultural connections and opportunities to talk, share and build long-lasting relationships. Now, these shops are joining the important movement of building water resilience for future generations.

Inland Empire participating shops and beauty stores include Salon Eleven-11, Mirror Mirror by Hair Designer, Turning Heads Beauty Salon, Blessed with Beauty Hair Salon, Signature Fades, Jacquetta Salon, A Fresh Start Salon, A Beautiful Newness, ABN Barbershop, Blackmon Cutz, Holiday’s Barbershop, Barbara’s Beauty Salon, and Final Touch Salon.

Save Our Water welcomes other business partners and encourages Californians to check with their local water agency to learn more about rebates and resources to help residents make watersmart updates inside and outside their home, including updating outdoor spaces with waterwise landscaping. For contact information and more water saving tips and resources, including drought tolerant landscaping ideas, visit SaveOurWater.com.

State Treasurer Fiona Ma Announces Extension of the College Access Tax Credit Program

SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced today that Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2880 (AB 2880), authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), into law, which will extend the sunset date of the College Access Tax Credit Fund program by five years. The program is administered by the California Educational Facilities Authority (CEFA), chaired by Treasurer Ma.

Under the program, taxpayers may submit applications to CEFA to receive available tax credits by voluntarily contributing to the College Access Tax Credit Fund.

The College Access Tax Credit Fund, in part, funds the Student Aid Commission’s Cal Grant B Access Award Program. Cal Grants are awarded to students pursuing an undergraduate degree,

vocational, or career training at a qualifying California college who have family income and assets below set minimal levels.

These awards provide low-income students with an allowance for living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books.

"As State Treasurer and chair of CEFA, it is a top priority of mine to ensure that low-income California college and university students have access to the financial aid they need in order to make postsecondary education affordable," said Treasurer Ma.

"One such program that helps offset the ever-increasing cost of college tuition is the College Access Tax Credit Program, which is why I proudly sponsored AB 2880."

"I am ecstatic that Governor

Under the Program, 50% of taxpayers’ voluntary contributions are approved as tax credits to offset state income tax, and a portion

of the voluntary contributions go toward Cal Grant B Access Awards for low-income California public and private college students. This program has received over $49 million in contributions thus far and has increased Cal Grant B Access Awards by nearly $22 million.

Excess tax credits donated by taxpayers under this program may be carried over to reduce a taxpayer’s "net tax" in the following taxable year and the succeeding five years, if necessary, until the tax credit is exhausted.

State Treasurer Fiona Ma Announces Extension of the College Access Tax Credit Program...continued Newsom has signed AB 2880, which will continue to provide much needed support to lowincome Cal Grant students as they navigate costly living, transportation, and book expenses," Assemblymember Bonta stated. "Furthermore, AB 2880 will allow CEFA to market the College Access Tax Credit, increasing the number of tax professionals that will be educated about the program, increasing utilization and contributions to the fund. It is essential that we continue to provide additional support to low-income California college and university students."

For more information on CEFA’s College Access Tax Credit Program or to make voluntary contributions, please visit CEFA’s website.

Study Finds Community College System Fails to Produce Equitable Outcomes for Black Students...continued from page 2

community college graduates.

Over two-thirds (67 percent) of Black students borrowed money to pay for community college compared to 51, 36, and 30 percent of white, Hispanic, and Asian students, respectively.

Further, researchers found that Black community college graduates owe 123 percent of the original amount they borrowed 12 years after beginning their community college journey.

Juntos Haces Los Sueños (Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork)

By Marianne Diaz

The researchers also note the importance of providing onsite drug treatment services to help probationers with substance abuse problems.

Bill Offering $1000 Tax Breaks for Families Without Cars Vetoed by Gov. Newsom...continued from page 1

(D-Burbank), saw a need to incentivize change.

Transportation accounts for 41% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, more than any other sector of society, according to the California Air Resources Board.

The state offers tax rebates of up to $7,000 for purchases of electric vehicles or plug in hybrids.

This bill would have required the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide necessary taxpayer and vehicle information to the Franchise Tax Board for administration of the credit. Built into the legislation was an income limitation of $40,000 for single filers and $60,000 for joint filers.

“We are disappointed to see Newsom veto SB 457, Streets for All’s bill with Senator Portantino to create a $1000 refundable tax credit for low income, carfree families,” said Bubba Fish, legislative advocate for Streets for All. “Newsom argued that the rebate was not fiscally responsible just months after proposing to spend hundreds of millions to pay families for each car they own and suspend the diesel gas tax.

The state also rewards EV buyers up to $9500, but gives nothing to families who don't drive at all. Families that don't contribute to

WE BUY TRUST DEEDS

traffic, traffic violence, or pollution. Where is their rebate? Until the Governor replaces automobile subsidies with real support for alternative modes, his aggressive rhetoric on fighting climate change rings hollow.”

A fiscal analysis initially estimated the bill would cost $900 million in its first year of implementation and $950 million in the second year.

However, updated scrutiny from the Franchise Tax Board shared with Streets For All shows that the first year of implementation would cost $16 million, followed by $900 million in the second year and $950 million in the third year. While it is unclear if these updated numbers would have made a difference in Newsom’s decision, Fish remains hopeful in the future a similar bill will pass.

“We are especially grateful for our coalition of supporters, Senator Portantino, and his staff for all their hard work on this bill,” Fish said. Despite the Governor’s bewildering decision, we are proud of this bill for the conversation it sparked about how to invest in a greener, safer future while centering those who need the most support. We won't give up on that.”

We've all heard the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." Likewise, when that child becomes an adult and is incarcerated, it takes a team to help get that now grown child back on track. According to experts, one in four Americans have a criminal record (64.6 million) and of those, 19.8 million have at least one felony criminal conviction. This statistic has had far-reaching economic consequences as people with criminal records are marginalized within the labor market.

From ages 18-22, I was gang related and ultimately incarcerated. I received my GED in prison and when I was released, I was job mandated by the courts. My arresting officer recommended me to the head of a county gang intervention program—and those two men became the foundation of my “team. I attended an 8-week, 8-hour per day training session for youth gang services and that became my first job.

Let's consider some key findings of a RAND research report from one program focused on the construction industry intended to improve the earning potential of individuals on probation in Sacramento County, California. The study underscores the vital need for a “team approach.”

The report states that in order to have an effective employment program for ex-offenders, it's important that the program develop relationships with service providers and employers to ensure that probationers have access to a full range of support. The program must maintain “a positive reputation with prospective employers to ensure ongoing job opportunities” and “highly skilled instructors and dedicated staff allows for customized instruction and readily available support.”

But these are not the only “team members" that can have an impact. Other types of support that probationers, seeking employment may need include mental health services, transportation assistance, and help getting IDs and licenses, to name a few.

I knew from experience that you can't take away the power, recognition of being part of a community that being a gang member provides and replace it with a job at McDonald’s. But, if you started out with a job like I did, paying $1800.00 a month, you might consider not returning to prison. Ironically, I received ongoing and extensive training. to provide gang intervention therapy. But since I'm an ex-felon, I couldn't get a license to be a therapist. Still, that didn't discourage or prevent me from becoming the Director of the Southern California Counseling Center where I oversee the training of licensed therapists. Bottom line, as verified by the RAND Report, "Teamwork really does make the dream work."

About the author: Introduced to gang life at an early age, Marianne Diaz discovered she had a gift for recruiting and violent enforcement. After spending multiple stints in county jail for gang related offenses, she was referred to Community Youth Gang services, where she trained as a counselor and worked for the next 15 years. Marianne ultimately became the Regional Director of this eight million dollar organization and went on from there to become director of the Southern California Counseling Center, a non-profit community mental health agency and training facility for MFT’s, Ph. D’s, LCSW’s and para-professional therapists She's also the director and founder of the SCCC-WATTS Outreach Services, agency wide and founder of "Operation Clean Slate," offering tattoo removal and other support / training services to former gang members and exoffenders.

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Press releases and legals Submission Deadline MONDAYS by 5pm Press Releases can be emailed to: mary@sb-american Submit legals on website: sb-american.com

Senator Bradford Announces 2022 Legislative & Budget Accomplishments

Business/Financial News

SACRAMENTO – This year Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) continued his efforts championing a multitude of issues impacting not just his constituents, but all Californians. In total, he was successful at getting 8 bills approved by the Legislature, 6 of which were signed into law by the Governor before the bill signing deadline, which was this past Friday, September 30.

“As Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and Senate Public Safety Committee, I am committed to creating legislation with a focus on equity and social justice in public safety, the economy, housing and employment,” said Senator Steven Bradford. “Each year presents us with the opportunity to address the most pressing issues facing our state. I am proud of what we have accomplished in 2022 and look forward to all that we will achieve together in the next legislative session.”

The following Bradford bills were approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Newsom, unless otherwise stated:

· SB 1262: Returns public court record access to the status quo by allowing businesses to search and filter by date of birth and driver’s license number information when conducting a background check. Vetoed by the Governor.

· SB 1317: Eliminates the requirement that secondhand dealers and coin dealers report

personally identifying information regarding the seller or pledger of secondhand goods to the DOJ database, and instead requires that this information to be kept confidential and on file and available upon request by law enforcement.

· SB 1334: Requires the University of California and other public sector healthcare employers to provide workers the same meal break and rest periods that the private sector currently enjoys.

· SB 1348: Removes offenses involving controlled substances from the list of crimes requiring automatic license denial under escrow laws administered by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

· SB 1371: Requires the Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to increase the pay scale for those working while incarcerated over a five-year period. Vetoed by Governor.

· SB 1396: Authorizes the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to evaluate the impact of a state program that allows tenants in assisted living the option of having their rental payments reported to a consumerreporting agency.

· SB 1469: Authorizes water utilities to utilize a ratemaking process referred to as decoupling to encourage water conservation.

· SB 1476: Authorizes the

Water Replenishment District to

Barbers and clients of Cali Coast Barbershop in San Diego proudly wear the Save Our Water branded capes and t-shirts.

Aretha Franklin's FBI File Is Finally Revealed And It's Shocking

The FBI tried to connect the late singer to "extremist" movements for four decades and failed.

By Candace McDuffie

American soul singer Aretha Franklin, the late Atlantic record label star.

American soul singer Aretha Franklin, the late Atlantic record label star.

Rolling Stone has managed to obtain documents that show the Federal Bureau of Investigations 40 year surveillance of the late Aretha Franklin. The file on her began in 1967 and lasted until 2007 (she died in 2018).

The magazine reveals that the file is 270 pages and is full of

phrases such as: “pro-communist,” “hate America,” “radical,” “Black extremists,” “militant Black power” and “racial violence.”

It questioned the singer’s relationship with other artists and activists that she had. Some of the documents were heavily redacted.

Kecalf Franklin, the performer’s son, told Rolling Stone:

“I’m not really sure if my mother was aware that she was being targeted by the FBI and followed. I do know that she had absolutely nothing to hide though.”

The documents show that the FBI consistently tracked Franklin’s phone numbers, activities and addresses. The file also contained letters and death threats directed at the legend. Her father, Clarence L. Franklin—who worked as a minister and civil rights activist— was shot in 1979.

Shortly after, she received more threats from a man who said he was going to kill her and her family. Someone also tried to extort Franklin, but the information about these suspects were redacted. A 1968 document showed that the FBI referred to Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral as a “racial situation.”

It also stated: “Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin...of this group, some have supported militant Black power concept... [performance at MLK memorial by these prominent entertainers] would provide emotional spark which could ignite racial disturbance in this area.”

Ultimately, the FBI attempted and failed to connect Franklin to “radical movements.” Other artists who famously have FBI files include Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G.

Arthur Allen Fletcher, "The Father Of Affirmative Action"...continued

along Route 66 and experienced an inkling of their future. On the journey most restaurants refused service to black customers, and Mary, who could pass for white, brought food out to her hungry family who were hunkered down in the seats to avoid detection. After they arrived in Sacramento the family was forced to move three times in less than a year because of threatening phone calls, vandalism, and intimidation of the children by racist neighbors. With each move, Fletcher’s commute to Aerojet grew longer, and finally he had to quit his job.

In the summer of 1960 the family moved to Berkeley where Fletcher took a job with Goodyear Tire, volunteered for the NixonLodge presidential campaign, and, by the end of September, was offered a job as a teacher at Berkeley High School.

Mary Fletcher, however, was having a nervous breakdown. Forced to leave her comfortable life in Kansas and facing disappointment after disappointment, she checked herself into the psychiatric ward of the Napa State Hospital. She was put on experimental psychotropic drugs, and given weekend furloughs. It was on one of these furloughs in early October that she committed suicide, jumping off the San Francisco Bay Bridge after learning that her husband’s job offer at Berkeley High School had been rescinded when the principal had learned of his political background and labeled him a “troublemaker.”

By 1961, Arthur Fletcher was a single parent of five who was barely able to make rent and often hid from his landlord in the Berkeley ghetto. Yet while living in this squalor, Fletcher resolved to use his political talents to help impoverished African Americans. Unlike most black politicians of that era, however, Fletcher believed that self-help programs and black economic development were the principal paths toward African American empowerment.

In 1962 Fletcher took a job as a teacher in an inner-city special needs program in Berkeley. He also turned to politics and for the first time ran for office. After chairing a local schoolbond initiative, Fletcher won the Republican primary for California State Assembly District 17, a mostly black area that included North Oakland and South Berkeley. Fletcher did surprisingly

well in the race, for a Berkeley Republican, garnering 25% of the vote in a losing bid to Democratic incumbent W. Byron Rumford (who had held the seat since 1948).

Fletcher was convinced he had a future in politics as a Republican, but not in Berkeley, which had already become a liberal Democratic stronghold. He also looked for an arena where his selfhelp ideas could be put in place.

That opportunity came in 1965 when he was hired to direct Higher Horizons, an anti-poverty project of the Pasco, Washington YMCA which was funded by the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity.

Shortly before he was hired, Fletcher met and married Bernyce Hassan, a divorced mother with one child, Joan. The newly blended Fletcher family moved to Washington State.

Higher Horizons, the brainchild of white liberal scientists at the Hanford Atomic Energy Facility and African American leaders of predominately black East Pasco, was founded to train black workers so that they could take higher skilled jobs at better wages. On April 12, 1965, when Fletcher became director, he announced an ambitious program that would assist pre-school age and in-school youngsters adjust to school, help high school dropouts with onthe-job training, and improve the East Pasco neighborhood with a beautification program.

In coordination with the local Columbia Basin Community College, he developed a skills bank, essentially a list of qualified East Pasco residents, which could be used in referrals to local jobs.

He also secured an $86,000 federal War-on-Poverty grant for the program.

In the late 1960s Pasco, a town of 14,000 in the southeastern Washington desert, was stunningly similar to much larger American cities. Due to World War II-era black migration to the region to build the Hanford atomic energy facility, Pasco, at 10% black, would have the highest percentage of African Americans in the state in 1970. While the first generation easily found work in the area, their children often remained jobless. Moreover, virtually all of the black residents in the TriCities (Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco) were relegated to a segregated and isolated ghetto in East Pasco. High unemployment and related problems of crime, poverty, and racism, especially in

C L A S S I F

AUTOS WANTED/LUXURY

the police department, left Pasco ripe for the sort of racial violence then plaguing Cleveland, Newark, Detroit, and most famously the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Fletcher, however, was resolved to help Pasco avoid such a conflagration. When funding for Higher Horizons was pulled after only one year in operation, Fletcher founded the East Pasco Self-Help Cooperative to keep local anti-poverty efforts alive. In 1967 he ran for Pasco City Council to bring the concerns of East Pasco to the attention of the entire community. Fletcher won his first, and only, election victory, breaking yet another color barrier that year when he and Sam Smith of Seattle became the first black city council members in Washington in the 20th century.

Fletcher’s high profile, a rare black Republican who ran an antipoverty agency and won election in a town with a small black population, drew the attention of Washington Governor Dan Evans. Like Fred Hall, Evans was a liberal Republican and thus Fletcher envisioned the creation of a similar political alliance. Evans saw Fletcher as the type of political leader who could bridge racial differences at a time of high local and national racial tensions. Governor Evans endorsed Fletcher in the 1968 Republican primary for lieutenant governor (which he won) and the general election (which he lost). While in Berkeley, Fletcher’s political obstacle had been his party affiliation, but in Washington State it was his race. Every other Republican on the statewide slate was elected, but Washington voters in 1968 were not yet ready to elect the nation’s first black lieutenant governor since Reconstruction.

Still, Fletcher’s connection with Governor Evans paid off in another way. Given a chance to speak at the Republican National Convention that year in Miami, Fletcher promoted his self-help theories to an audience eager to win back the black vote which had so dramatically abandoned the party in 1964 when Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater headed the ticket. Fletcher’s ideas earned him the respect and admiration of Richard Nixon, who was now once again the Republican nominee for president, and was seeking a civil rights agenda which

E D S

MISCELLANEOUS

Credit: Shutterstock

“So, You Don’t Want To Listen….

By: Lou Yeboah Lou Yeboah

Well so be it, have it your way, but I tell you; you will be sorry because there are consequence to pay when one does not heed My warnings. Disobedience brings My punishment. Disobedience attracts My Judgment. Disobedience attracts My Wrath. Disobedience damns you in Hell. But you don’t want to listen, well so be it, because it is what it is, and it will be what it will be.

I am going to appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume your eyes, and cause sorrow of your heart: I am going to set my face against you, that ye shall be slain before your enemies: and those that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when no one pursueth you.

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

And if ye walk contrary unto me and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things but will walk contrary unto me. Then will I also walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women

shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest and enjoy her sabbaths. [Leviticus 26:14-34]. It is what it is, and it will be what it will be!

Cursed shall you be in the city and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in and cursed shall you be when you go out. For the Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Him. [Deuteronomy 28:15-21].

Second the motion. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed you already because you do not take it to heart. [Malachi 2:2].

It is what it Is and It will be what It will be! You don’t want to listen!

FOR JUSTICE

A Protest Story: Unplanned Agitation

Brooks Berndt

W.O.M.E.N. (Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now), a sister association of the organization once led by Martin Luther King, Jr. That morning, Lowery witnessed how children were bused past a number of state troopers with billy clubs on their way to a school not far from the proposed dump site. She also learned that children were afraid of getting cancer, and that the State of North Carolina had ignored requests to have someone from the Department of Health and Human Services speak to the children to address their fears.

In that moment, Lowery was overcome with the feeling that something must be done. She turned to the women involved in the protests to ask that they get arrested with her to place pressure on the government to respond. In light of Governor James Hunt’s accusations of “outside agitators” being responsible for the protests, she knew local women would need to be involved. Along with Burwell, three women responded to Lowery’s call: Armenta Eaton, Jocelyn McKissick, and a woman not pictured but who Burwell

believes was Sherry White.

After their arrest, the women refused to be bailed out that day, so that they could draw further attention to their demand, before being released the following afternoon. Not long afterward, North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services came to address the local children in a meeting. Burwell recalls that the speech was full of lies that promised a safe environment with the “Cadillac” of landfills.

Burwell continued to organize. On one occasion, she organized an “Outside Agitators Day” to turn the governor’s words against him. Burwell recalls a bit of wisdom her mother shared with her at that time: “The most important part of the washing machine is the agitator. Without that, all you get is wet and dirty clothes.” For change to happen, agitation is necessary, even if unplanned.

The Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt is the Environmental Justice Minister for the United Church of Christ and the author of Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis.

Senator Bradford Announces 2022 Legislative & Budget Accomplishments...continued from page 3

provide flexibility for the purchase of materials, equipment, supplies, and professional services. The bill also streamlines the execution of contracts.

In addition to legislation, Senator Bradford was also successful in securing critical and significant funding through the budget process:

· $40 Million for the Restoration of the Allensworth State Historic Park.

· $12 Million for the repair of the Artesia Bridge in Compton.

· $5.2 Million to increase

services to disadvantaged populations who are experiencing vision health disparities and inequities.

· $7 Million in funding to provide youth with opportunities to learn and perform music.

· $5.2 Million in funding to promote entrepreneurship and small business creation/expansion in the underserved communities of Los Angeles.

· $2 Million in funding for the City of Gardena for the revitalization of Gardena Boulevard.

Spraying chalk on a planter at a July 31, 2020, protest nets a conviction of Black Lives Matter IE Chapter member Donavan Caver...continued

letters on a planter that was on courthouse grounds, explaining the way the district attorney was looking at this, a 12-year-old drawing a flower in chalk on the sidewalk could be arrested for vandalism.

Schlueter reasoned because the chalk was used on the court’s grounds the prosecutor was motivated to pursue these criminal charges that if it was on the sidewalk somewhere else, also public property, charges would not have been pursued.

Schlueter described Caver affixing the chalk to the planter wall right in front of a uniformed deputy sitting in his patrol car, with at least 30 deputies close by, arguing Caver’s choice to use chalk showed he was not being malicious, instead raising his voice to object, and did not flee but walked north up Arrowhead followed by a sheriff helicopter to Schlueter’s law office.

Superior Court Judge Kory Matthewson briefed the jury their task was to decide whether Caver’s intent was malicious, whether Caver vandalized public property, it was irrelevant whether

the damage was permanent or temporary, and whether Caver escaped the scene because he knew his act was a crime.

While waiting for the jury to deliberate, Schlueter told The San Bernardino American News that the entire case hinges on malicious intent with the district attorney defining malicious intent as only the intent to write, while Schlueter argued malicious intent was more than that, malicious intent means malicious intent.

Schlueter objected that based on the DDA’s definition of malicious intent, the court limited questioning and testimony about Caver’s intent preventing him from presenting a defense, which Schlueter explained would include considering his motivation to protest, protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Schlueter objected to the circumstance where the jury was considering an important element of the crime of vandalism, intent, with two different definitions of what intent means.

With Schlueter’s definition, someone applying chalk on a continued on page 8

Arthur Allen Fletcher, "The Father Of Affirmative Action"...continued from page 4

would correspond with the party’s corporate ethos. When Nixon won in 1968, he appointed Fletcher Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment Standards. With responsibility for the wage and hour regulations for a national workforce of over 80 million people and supervision of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, Fletcher now had the power to revoke federal contracts and debar contractors from bidding on future work. On June 27, 1969, Fletcher implemented the Revised Philadelphia Plan, the nation’s first federal affirmative action program, which required federal contractors to meet specified goals in minority hiring for skilled jobs in the notoriously segregated construction industry.

William Reynolds that the Reagan administration would do even less for the cause of civil rights than that of Richard Nixon. (The appointment subsequently went to Clarence Thomas.) He did take on a minor role for Reagan, accepting appointment to the Pennsylvania Avenue Redevelopment Commission.

People of faith who are engaged in social movements will often speak of being compelled to act by a deep and powerful sense of divine calling. At times, the call to agitate for justice can arrive with a sudden and spontaneous force that pushes aside predetermined plans. The truth of this statement can be seen in a photo taken forty years ago this month during a six-week civil disobedience campaign that gave birth to the environmental justice movement.

At the start of the day, none of the women pictured had planned to be arrested. In looking at the photo of herself and three of her fellow “jailbirds,” Dollie Burwell notes how they were dressed to go to work that day.

The story behind this picture by photojournalist Ricky Stilley at a jail in Warren County, North Carolina, begins earlier in the day on which it was taken. As had become her practice, Burwell planned to join a daily march and rally in the morning before heading to work. Burwell had been a lead organizer in the protests to prevent trucks carrying carcinogenic PCBs from dumping their toxic waste in her county, which had the highest proportion of Black people in the state along with one of the highest poverty rates. Days earlier, Burwell’s boss at work had instructed her to no longer get arrested. On the day of the photo, Burwell fully intended to avoid going to jail.

Evelyn Lowery was also not planning to be locked up that day. She had travelled to Warren County as the National President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Gail Fry Contributor

Black Lives Matter Inland Empire Chapter Member Donavan Caver suddenly found his case transferred on July 27, from the San Bernardino Justice Center to the Joshua Tree Courthouse where he faced an all-white jury, who at the end of his trial, found him guilty of vandalism for spraying in chalk the letters “FTP” on a planter wall to protest San Bernardino County Deputies arresting his fellow protesters on July 31, 2020.

Caver explained it was claimed a large number of criminal murder cases left no vacant courtrooms in the City of San Bernardino and surrounding communities.

At the Joshua Tree Courthouse, Superior Court Judge Rodney Cortez expressed surprise at the assignment because he was scheduled for vacation. A new judge was quickly assigned as Judge Kory Matthewson took the bench to preside over Caver’s jury trial.

The San Bernardino American News observed closing arguments of a criminal trial where the jury was asked whether or not Caver was guilty of vandalism, where the elements of the crime

included whether Caver’s actions were malicious, whether Caver damaged public property with graffiti, and whether following the act, committed in front of deputies, Caver fled implying he knew his act was a crime.

San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Alfredo Tigerino argued that Caver was angered watching his friends being arrested, wanted to injury or annoy, was malicious when he shook the can of spray chalk and sprayed the letters “ftp” onto the planter wall on the courthouse grounds, after which Tigerino alleged Caver fled.

Even though the planter wall could be easily cleaned, DDA Tigerino argued, it did not erase the crime, because the crime of vandalism does not differentiate whether the damage was temporary or permanent. DDA Tigerino asked the jury to find Caver guilty based on the facts and applying the law.

Attorney Peter Schlueter, representing Caver, pointed to his client’s testimony that he chose washable chalk to write three

Arthur Fletcher served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for two years, his affirmative action programs eventually earning him so much enmity among the leaders of the skilled construction unions that he was forced to resign. President Nixon gave him a brief assignment on the United Nations delegation under Ambassador George H.W. Bush, which began the friendship that would take Fletcher’s political career to even greater heights. Fletcher then took over the United Negro College Fund in 1973 where he helped coin the phrase “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” He served as Deputy White House Advisor in the Gerald Ford administration and in 1978 ran a surprisingly strong campaign for mayor of Washington, D.C., winning more than 25% of the vote in an overwhelmingly Democratic city.

Fletcher had major qualms about serving in the administration of Ronald Reagan. He supported George Bush in the primaries and worked hard to get the black contingent at the 1980 convention to support Bush as Reagan’s running-mate (they unanimously did). When Reagan offered Fletcher chairmanship of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, he demurred, as it was already becoming clear through the activities of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

The year 1989 saw the inauguration of Fletcher’s friend George Bush as president. The following year the new president appointed Fletcher chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR). Here Fletcher again proved that his first loyalty was to the cause of civil rights rather than Republican political goals. Early in his tenure on the commission, President Bush vetoed the Civil Rights Bill of 1990 and then subsequently signed virtually the same bill in 1991. Throughout this process Fletcher was unsparing in his criticism of his friend’s administration and yet lobbied to get Bush to change his stance. In 1995 Fletcher resigned from the USCCR and ran a brief campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, primarily to protest the party’s turn from the cause of civil rights and specifically in opposition to frontrunner (and eventual nominee) Bob Dole’s public disowning of affirmative action, Fletcher’s signature policy contribution.

Arthur Allen Fletcher died in Washington, D.C., in 2005. His life, like the civil rights movement from which he took inspiration and in which he exercised leadership, was one of ambition for goals mostly unmet. A perpetual outsider, he remained a black politician struggling in a political party increasingly antithetical to his causes and a western civil rights activist in a movement dominated by Southern leaders. It was, ironically, his insider’s skills which made him so different from most other black leaders of his time. Inculcated at an early age with a sense of duty and loyalty required in both the military and team sports, Fletcher never abandoned the party which ultimately abandoned him.

Spraying chalk on a planter at a July 31, 2020, protest nets a conviction of Black Lives Matter IE Chapter member Donavan Caver

Idhini Platform Changing Clinical Trial Participation in BIPOC Communities One Study at a Time

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

He said it’s 100% virtually.

“Why not make the community successful,” Charlot stated.

“The main reason there’s a problem is the lack of trust, not just from Black people, but the BIPOC community in general.”

Inflation Hammering Americans Although an End May Be in Sight... continued from page 2

I turn off the heat. I got me a little heater that I plug in. I’m not driving the car as much because

gasoline costs $5 a gallon. If I don’t have to travel, I don’t. And I am charging for everything, even if it’s $20 because everything adds up.”

The authors concluded that people are reachable in a new way, and the newfound awareness of and interest in the makers of drugs and vaccines offers a pathway to learning.

Recent studies have revealed that approximately 5% of Black Americans participate in clinical trials. Unfortunately, that number proves lower in the overall BIPOC community, and an organization called Idhini works to help improve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color participation.

To capture the voice of the BIPOC community and their unique needs, Idhini boasts that it provides access and equitable rewards for participation in health research.

“The main reason is trust,” Gerard Charlot, a principal at Idhini, a national database of BIPOC individuals available to participate in clinical trials, told the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Let It Be Known live morning news show.

Officials designed the platform to provide health information and

resources and assist in the health and financial outcomes associated with health literacy.

“Our vision is to have medical research reflect the population it serves,” Charlot stated.

“If we are successful, increased access to healthcare and equitable rewards for participation will create positive health and social outcomes, a more diverse healthcare workforce, and higher financial rewards for health organizations.”

Idhini wants to close the gap in health research within the BIPOC community.

Charlot said the organization reduces the cost of acquiring health-related data and insights from Black and minority communities while increasing the lifetime value of each community member’s interaction with medical research.

Idhini has partnered with There Goes My Hero, a national registry that recently launched the “Color the Registry” initiative to secure more African American donors to help save lives.

Idhini helps recruit and screen individuals to ensure suitable patients participate in trials. In addition, the platform captures attitudes and sentiments toward research and converts sentiments into analysis and reporting.

A Chicago Sun-Times study revealed that patients — particularly Black and Latino Americans — now look for pharmaceutical companies to act as information brokers.

“Across social media channels, podcasts, and other outlets, they want these companies to take three major actions: help distinguish between false and accurate health care information; be realistic and honest about the realities of diseases and treatments and show what goes on behind the scenes at pharma companies,” the study authors wrote.

The authors concluded that people are reachable in a new way,

in next column

Market veteran and financial journalist Dylan Ratigan said in a recent interview that Americans are being buffeted by rising prices and extremely volatile markets.

“Inflation is at its highest level since the 1970s. Higher interest rates are affecting mortgages, credit cards and double costs, especially in housing,” said Ratigan, co-host of ‘Truth and Skepticism.’ “Oil and energy costs for transportation and manufacturing has doubled. Large institutions, trucking companies and airlines had budgets of fuel costs to fly, drive and run factories. Those numbers are wrong – a lot has happened fast.”

The Consumer Price Index’s standing at 9.1 percent in June was proof that inflation was burning hot and still spiraling. The prior month, the CPI stood at 8.6 percent, then the highest rate in 40 years. But in recent days, there are signs that inflation is cooling with gas prices falling lower every day for the past two months, the Federal Reserve raising interest rates twice in the last two months and fears about a recession tempered by strong jobs numbers, the gradual lowering of prices and skyrocketing prices on the housing market also going lower.

According to the BLS, all items except the food and energy rose 6 percent over the past year. Energy increased 34.6 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since September 2005.

And the food index jumped 10.1 percent for the 12-month ending in May, the first increase of 10.0

Idhini Platform Changing Clinical Trial Participation in BIPOC Communities One Study at a Time... contined

and the newfound awareness of and interest in the makers of drugs and vaccines offers a pathway to learning.

“People want to hear from pharma companies,” the study authors wrote. “They’re listening and learning. They then bring this information with them to their doctors’ appointments.”

Charlot said that’s the point of Idhini.

“Major pharmaceutical companies use our stuff because it works,” Charlot stated.

“Our approach is not the Gerard way – it’s the right way.

“You have patient-centered research where it’s now all about community research. If you’re not engaging the community, there’s no value.”

Charlot concluded:

“The future of our families is not just about you; it’s about everybody you love. And the reality is that by learning more about it, by having awareness, you empower yourself to be better. You empower your community which makes you feel like you belong, and for yourself to note that you matter.”

percent or more since March 1981. Food prices rose 11.9 percent over the past year, and prices in sit-in restaurants and take-out increased 7.4 percent over last year which is also the largest 12-month change since the period ending November 1981. Gasoline prices increased 48.7 percent, electricity rose 12 percent, and natural gas increased 30.2 percent over the last 12 months, the largest such increase since the period ending July 2008.

Inflation touched just about every aspect of America driving up rent, household furnishings, airfares, mortgages, housing prices

According to a recent Gallup poll, about one in five Americans regard the high cost of living/ inflation or fuel prices as the most important problem facing America today. Together, these two challenges account for more than 50 of the economic issues 35 percent of Americans point to as the nation’s top problem. The unyielding price pressures have forced people like Anderson and Marshall to significantly change their spending habits and has increased fears from members of the public, some politicians and economists that America is looking at either an outright recession or a notable slowdown of economic growth.

HIGHER PRICES, SHORTAGES, INFLATION = A TIGHT SQUEEZE

Dr. Linwood Tauheed said the United States could end up with “the worse possible of all worlds” as the US economy struggles to recover from a devastating global pandemic, supply chain problems, absorbing the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the widespread sanctions imposed

against Russia for invading Ukraine.

“With the war in Ukraine and sanctions, stocks of gas, oil, fertilizer and other goods are decreasing. I don’t think inflation has happened yet,” said Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri –Kansas City, and a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Missouri – Columbia. “We’re going to see increases. The impact from sanctions hasn’t really hit us yet. Prices of products are going up.”

Tauheed, said the United States has been on an economic rollercoaster during and since the emergence of COVID-19, buffeted by the economic disruption and downturn that caused and the ripple effects that the country is still experiencing.

“We are in a period where we’re seeing inflation from an initial cause: recovery. The crisis (the pandemic) came on quickly and money was put into the economy. Supplies didn’t keep up,” Tauheed said. “People who were home because of COVID-19 saved money (because they took no vacation or and spent little in 2020). People had money. There was a decrease in supplies while people had money to spent. That caused inflation to increase.”

At the same time, Tauheed added, the economy recovered to some degree “but supplies were not where they needed to be.”

“There’s inflation that you would expect from a quick recovery, but then you had the supply chain crisis,” he explained. “Countries, particularly China, were affected. Facilities were shut down. It doesn’t necessarily

RUHS – Medical Center cancer program earns accreditation from the American College of Surgeons

News

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Medical Center’s cancer treatment program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The American College of Surgeons is a professional organization dedicated to ensuring high standards throughout the continuum of cancer treatment — from prevention to survivorship and end-of-life-care — while addressing both survival and quality of life. To earn accreditation from the organization’s Commission on Cancer, cancer programs must meet 34 quality care standards, submit to evaluation every three years and deliver comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care.

RUHS – Medical Center cancer care providers pride themselves on providing quality care and were honored by this recent accreditation. During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, providers remind the public that access to first-rate cancer treatment, in addition to preventative screenings, is a key component to survival.

“When you are diagnosed with cancer, you begin the fight of your life,” said cancer survivor, Dr. Lisa Mahoney, a diagnostic radiology specialist at RUHS. “It means a lot to offer our patients highquality treatment at our hospital and clinics.”

RUHS – Medical Center’s commitment to early detection and preventative care is further demonstrated as the only healthcare agency on the west coast to offer breast cancer screenings using a Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) camera. This state-of-the-art machine provides a more thorough image of a breast, making it ideal for those with dense breast tissue, as cancer can sometimes be hidden by surrounding normal breast tissue.

“MBI is our greatest new tool in breast cancer screening. It is simple, non-invasive procedure that, combined with a mammogram, can detect more breast cancer than just mammograms alone,” Mahoney said.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mahoney and other RUHS physicians encourage women to talk to their doctors about their breast cancer risk and eligibility for mammograms. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

To schedule a preventative screening, call 951-486-4100.

sidewalk would not be guilty of vandalism unless the person was being malicious, whereas according to the DDA anyone applying chalk on a sidewalk is guilty of vandalism.

The jury reached its verdict quickly, Judge Matthewson verified with the jury foreman that the allwhite jury had reached a verdict, the judge asked the verdict be read by the jury foreman, wherein the guilty verdict determined by the jury was read to the court.

After the verdict, San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Kory Matthewson imposed Caver’s sentence as 30-days of community service, with 8 of those hours used to remove graffiti, a fine of $265.20, and 1-year of informal probation.

The San Bernardino American News asked the San Bernardino County District Attorney about the composition of the jury pool in Joshua Tree, compared to the City of San Bernardino. San Bernardino County District Attorney Public Affairs Officer Jacquelyn Rodiguez pointed out that neither the defendant nor his attorney objected to the jury composition, therefore, accepted the jury panel.

Rodriguez explained matters involving juries are handled by the Commissioner of San Bernardino County and questions should be directed to that office.

Rodriguez explained that in Caver’s case, the trial had to start by July 27, due to Caver exercising

his right to a speedy trial, which requires the trial to begin within 45 days, after Caver withdrew his general time waiver, and therefore, the trial was subject to assignment to any available courtroom throughout the county.

Having no criminal record, Caver questioned why the district attorney’s office did not offer a plea agreement until just before trial and only after being prompted by a judge. Rodriguez responded that plea negotiations occur before the start of trial like in all other criminal prosecutions.

As to questions about the use of time and resources of the district attorney’s office for a misdemeanor vandalism case, Rodriguez explained while some cases are more complicated compared to others, our community expects and deserves sincere consideration of every case by the Office of the District Attorney.

Rodriguez closed declaring that in San Bernardino County, the rule of law as well as the defendants’ right to a speedy and public jury trial with a guaranteed right to an attorney under the Sixth Amendment was invaluable.

As documented in video tape obtained by The San Bernardino American News, on July 31, 2020, it began with Black Lives Matter (BLM) Inland Empire (IE) Chapter Protest Leader Avery Garey, Jr. leading a peaceful protest on court grounds at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

A short time passes, San

Bernardino County sheriff deputies are arriving on the scene, when a sheriff deputy approaches Garey, Jr. and attempts to shove documents into his hand, explaining this court order prohibits protesting on court grounds. Immediately thereafter, Garey, Jr. is arrested.

A large number of sheriff deputies have now gathered to confront the protesters, the sides face off, some protesters sit on the ground, the deputies are pushing them to the sidewalk, numerous protesters are arrested, as a sheriff helicopter swoops in to hover low over the protest.

Five BLM IE Chapter Members and seven other protesters protesting the arrest, and prosecution of Lawrence Bender, were arrested on the San Bernardino Superior Court grounds in the City of San Bernardino.

According to Caver, the remaining protesters arrested at the protest, were not criminally charged for their actions that day, only BLM IE Chapter Members immediately faced criminal charges.

According to court records, BLM IE Chapter Members Donavan Caver, Broderick Dunlap, Yoselin Saucedo, Brian Licea, and Avery Garey, Jr. were criminally charged the day of the protest, July 31, 2020. A sixth protester, Jaydee Lopez, was charged August 28, 2020.

Caver was charged with

vandalism, Dunlap, Saucedo, and Licea were charged with trespassing, obstructing/resisting a public officer, trespassing/ obstructing the business of a public agency, and picketing the courthouse to impede justice, while Garey, Jr. was charged with trespassing, obstructing/resisting a public officer, and trespassing/ obstructing the business of a public agency, all misdemeanors.

On August 28, 2020, Jaydee Lopez was charged with resisting arrest, battery on a peace officer and picketing the courthouse to impede justice stemming from the July 31, 2020, protest, all misdemeanors.

As shown on the video of the July 31, protest, a sheriff deputy attempts to shove a document into the hand of the protest leader, Avery Garey, Jr. followed by shouting that it was a court order prohibiting protesting on court grounds issued by the San Bernardino Superior Court.

Attorney Peter Schlueter questioned why no one was arrested for violation of the court order, leading Schlueter to question its validity.

Research by The San Bernardino American News found California Rules of Court, Rule 10.603, which details the presiding judge’s authority.

After reviewing the court’s order and rule of court, First Amendment Coalition Legal Director David Loy said he wasn’t sure if the rule would rule out a presiding judge

from signing an order prohibiting certain conduct by the public in the courthouse or on or near the courthouse grounds.

San Bernardino Superior Court records show before their arrests Caver had one traffic tickets, Dunlap two traffic tickets, Licea had two traffic tickets, and one misdemeanor nine years ago, and Garey, Jr., Saucedo, and Lopez had no criminal records.

On November 2, 2020, Lopez, represented by Attorney Schlueter, faced a jury trial, and was found not guilty.

Dunlap and Saucedo, both represented by Attorney Peter Schlueter, and Licea, represented by Attorney Karin Aida Khachatorian, face a trial recall hearing on October 11, in Department 7 at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

A member of the conflict panel of attorneys is representing Garey, Jr. The conflict panel is a panel of attorneys created by the County of San Bernardino to represent those defendants who have a conflict with the public defender’s office.

According to court records, the court issued a warrant for Garey’s arrest after he failed to appear at a February 14, hearing.

Attorney Schlueter told The San Bernardino American News that he thinks Garey, Jr. is scared to appear. Before his arrest, Garey had no criminal record, not even a traffic citation.

Caver told The San Bernardino American News that the BLM IE Chapter resolved to protest

on July 31, 2020, after criminal defendant Lawrence Bender’s family members and his supporters were barred from the courtroom during his trial due to COVID restrictions.

Caver explained the letters “ftp” he wrote in chalk on the planter stood for “free the people” or “free the protesters” or “fight the power” questioning why he was the only person charged with vandalism, as at a July 10, protest, protesters using washable markers to express their sentiments were not arrested.

Caver became upset watching his friends being unlawfully arrested after peacefully protesting, and reacted spraying the letters “ftp” in chalk on a planter in protest, Schlueter explained with the letters ftp originating from the 1989 Spike Lee movie “Do the Right Thing” where Public Enemy’s song “Fight the Power,” was the opening scene of the movie, featuring a memorable dance routine performed by Rosie Perez. Link: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=rrkfJ-HsPfA.

Schlueter recognized the song “Fight the Power” became the anthem for the Black Rights Movement, adding that the sheriff thought “ftp” meant #&*k the police and reflected that in their reports.

Schlueter recollected when Caver was in front of his office being arrested, Caver repeatedly told the officers, “It’s chalk, it’s chalk.”

Inflation Hammering Americans Although an End May Be in Sight...continued from page 7

explain cargo ships at the docks, though. Independent truckers weren’t able to get business. Many went out of business, others retired. So there were not enough trucks. The problem at the docks will be with us for a while.”

The issues of cargo ships piled up at some of America’s major ports has eased because of a series of actions taken by the Biden administration and similar moves by the trucking industry and port authorities. There are hints that inflation may cool off in the coming months. As commodity prices fall, supply chain troubles exacerbated by COVID-19 are waning and swollen inventories hoarded by retailers have turned out to be an unexpected bargain for shoppers.

Vital, a certified financial education instructor, financial strategist, mother, wife, said the crazy rate of inflation caught her off-guard.

“Damn inflation. I don’t see that changing. It makes you rearrange your household,” she said. “I have always made things from scratch, and I find myself altering our diet even more. When I buy lunch items for my kids, I’m watching the cost. I have changed and adapted. When I need to go out, I plan where I need to go.”

Vital said when she filled up her gas tank when gasoline stood at $5.00, it cost $55. Before, she said, filling the tank cost $12 less.

“Hell no, I ain going nowhere if I don’t need to. We’re on minimal movement,” she said with a wry chuckle. “My husband has to go to work every day. We don’t know how much the prices of food and gas are changing but we have to have money for both of these.

I put all my bills on a payment plan – put water, light and gas

on a budget. That gives me more available money. That’s what I’ve had to do. You really have to know how much you have after bills.”

Vital said she also cut off automatic bill payments “because we have to have gas.”

“My husband travels 45 mins one-way to work from the house. He has to have a car, he has to get to work. Develop consistency with the known to keep a tab on the unknown. I do more shopping at Goodwill. I have a growing son who is growing out of his clothes.

I look for clearances too. I have a strategy, a plan between gas and food.”

Vital and a number of other interviewees said they believe that they are being kicked around by inflation because of factors other than market forces.

“I really believe that corporations are gouging consumers. Businesses are getting on the bandwagon to make up for COVID,” Vital said. “Reports are that a lot of people will be pushed into poverty and I absolutely believe it.

Economists note that both cost of gas and spiraling food costs have been affected primarily because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year which has upended global supplies of wheat corn, oil, wheat, corn and a number of other commodities.

WAR, INFLATION AND COVID-19 HANGOVER

JPMorgan Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said in a recent letter to stockholders that he is deeply concerned about the formidable tremors triggered by the twin challenges of spiraling inflation and Russia-Ukraine conflict because they pose a significant threat to this country and the

world’s economic recovery.

“The war in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia, at a minimum, will slow the global economy — and it could easily get worse,” Dimon said.

Dimon also explained that said Covid-19 – with stimulus money from the federal government, the necessity of rapidly raising interest rates to combat inflation and the war in Ukraine present an unenviable collection of challenges.

“We are facing challenges at every turn: a pandemic, unprecedented government actions, a strong recovery after a sharp and deep global recession, a highly polarized U.S. election, mounting inflation, a war in Ukraine and dramatic economic sanctions against Russia,” he said. “While all this turmoil has serious ramifications on our company, its effect on the world – with the extreme suffering of the Ukrainian people and the potential restructuring of the global order –is far more important.”

And with the war in Europe upending, agricultural, energy and an assortment of commodity markets, it’s very likely that additional sanctions could deepen the widening instability, he added.

Dimon said Americans should brace themselves for “potential negative outcomes.”

“Many more sanctions could be added – which could dramatically, and unpredictably, increase their effect,” said Dimon. “Along with the unpredictability of war itself and the uncertainty surrounding global commodity supply chains, this makes for a potentially explosive situation.”

“The confluence of these factors may be unprecedented,” he concluded.

Spraying chalk on a planter at a July 31, 2020, protest nets a conviction of Black Lives Matter IE Chapter member Donavan Caver... continued from page 6