Vol. 65 No 1 Thursday, January 2, 2025

Page 1

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Years

Vol. 65 No. 1 | Thursday, January 2, 2025

www.sdvoice.info

Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years

RACIALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE Some of Those AGAINST BLACK TEEN PROMPTS We Love and Lost $10 MILLION CLAIM AGAINST LAUSD in 2024 By Solomon O. Smith CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

SEE PAGES 12-19

A distraught mother and her legal team announced a $10 million lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on Dec. 16, alleging that her son was the target of bullying because of his race. “CS DOE is a 14-year-old African American student at Verdugo High School. He is a Ninth Grader,” reads a statement the plaintiff ’s attorneys shared with California Black Media (CBM).

(L to R) Civil rights attorney Caree Harper, the complainants' mother, civil rights activist Najee Al (background), and civil attorney Bradley C. Gage describe at a press conference held at Verdugo Hills High School on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2024 in Tujunga, CA. PHOTO: Solomon O. Smith / CBM

“Almost from the first day of class (in August 2024), CS DOE was targeted by Latino students who called him racial slurs, physically attacked him and threatened to stab him.” See LAUSD page 2

2024 in Review By Edward Henderson CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

7 Questions for Reparations Advocate Chris Lodgson The Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) is a statewide organization comprised of various associations, community groups and individuals united by their commitment to fight for reparations and reparative justice for the descendants of enslaved Black American men and women. California Black Media (CBM) recently interviewed Chris Lodgson, the lead organizer and advocate for the CJEC, to discuss the organization’s achievements, challenges, and plans heading into the new year. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? The fact that we helped to advance the first ever state level lineage-based reparations related legislation this year is probably the biggest success. At the start of the year, we introduced the first ever bill specifically for residents who were descendants of people who were enslaved in this country.

Also, state agencies across the state of California started collecting what we call lineage data. Now, specifically state employees or people who want to become state employees, have the option to self-identify as Black Americans who are Chris Lodgson and members of the Coalition For A Just and Equitable California (CJEC) a reparations Listening Session in Sacramento, California, in August 2022. descendants of people held PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM who were enslaved in this country. That is based on some leg7 Questions for the islation that we wrote in 2022 that the California African American Governor signed. It took effect this year. How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? California took steps to recognize and identify residents who are these descendants. I think that is a positive impact on Black Californians because for the first time ever we are being seen. We have a saying: ‘if you don’t see a community you can' t serve a community’. What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025? The passage and enactment of actual reparations legislation. That is the number one goal. That includes bills and policies that we didn’t get this year and other things that we want.

Chamber of Commerce

The California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) is the largest statewide African American business association. Its mission is to drive economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses and connect and harness the collective Patricia Watts. strength of their PHOTO: Courtesy of CBM statewide network of member organizations to advocate and protect common interests. See 2024 page 2

KWANZAA AT WORLDBEAT SEE PAGES 10-11

What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for U.S. Education

By Selen Ozturk ETHNIC MEDIA SERVICES

PHOTO: Jeffrey Hamilton/Unsplash

The American education system is poised to be a battleground for funding, diversity and immigration issues under President Trump. See EDUCATION page 2

Democratic Women Legislators Forge Historic Resistance

as GOP Takes Federal Control By Stacy M. Brown NNPA NEWSWIRE SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

PHOTO: NNPA

In a historic shift following the 2024 elections, a record-breaking number of Democratic women will serve in state legislatures starting in 2025, solidifying state-level Democratic power amid

a looming federal Republican trifecta under the incoming Trump administration. The legislators, many in leadership roles, will spearhead resistance efforts while shaping the Democratic Party’s future leadership pipeline. See RESISTANCE page 5

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