October 12, 2023

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

 

Black Americans have expressed a range of emotions regarding Hamas’ recent and deadly attack on Israel, with many taking to social media to highlight what they perceive as a lack of support from Israel and some members of the Jewish community for the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The sentiment was especially pronounced after George Floyd’s assassination in Minnesota in 2020.

Numerous posts on social media platforms feature hashtags like #BLM and #PLM, underscoring the perceived parallels between the struggles of Palestinians and African Americans in their fight against systemic racism. One widely circulated message emphasized the cross-border nature of these movements, stating, “Palestinians & African Americans have been [creating] a social movement, without borders, to fight systemic racism. As part of international protests, in Palestine/Israel signs read ‘Justice for Eyad. Justice for George.’, ‘Black lives MATTER. Palestinian lives MATTER.’”

Another post drew attention to what the author viewed as a lack of awareness about the treatment of Black people in Israel, saying, “If African Americans Knew How Israel Treats Black People, Black Lives Don’t Matter in Israel.”

Former NBA star Amari Stoudemire, who previously announced his conversion to Judaism, took a contrary stance, denouncing African Americans who do not support Israel. Stoudemire openly criticized the Black Lives Matter movement, asserting they were not contributing positively. He stated, “For all y’all Black Lives Matter who ain’t saying nothing or ‘let me figure out exactly what happened before I say anything,’ F. you. Figure out what? It ain’t never been cool to kidnap kids.”

In a joint statement released on Saturday, October 7, NNPA Chair Bobby Henry and NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. unequivocally condemned the acts of violence committed against the Jewish people and the nation of Israel by Hamas. The statement emphasized that Hamas’ actions, including firing rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory, significantly escalated the ongoing conflict between the two parties.

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, forthrightly condemns the brutal, fatal terrorist attacks today on the Jewish people and the nation of Israel by Hamas,” read the statement. “Terrorism against innocent civilians in Israel and in any other place in the world can never be justified, tolerated, or sanctioned. We stand firmly in solidarity with Israel.”

Despite this, a different social media user expressed skepticism, asking, “When has anyone in Israel said to pray for the American Negro? Our Holocaust has been ongoing for 400+ years. Has Israel ever told the USA not to send any money until after it repairs Black Americans? I mean, it’s biblical to take care of your own family first.”

Experts said the diverse range of opinions within the Black American community underscores the complexities and multifaceted nature of the ongoing debate surrounding the conflict in the Middle East and its implications for various social justice movements. Further, many observed that, as the situation continues to evolve, how these perspectives will shape the discourse within the Black community and on the broader global stage remains to be seen.

Category: News

October 05, 2023

By Cora Jackson-Fossett

Managing Editor

 

Seeking to attract Black youth to study architecture, the Paul R. Williams Collection created the Paul R. Williams Scholarship and Education Fund to inspire and support young people pursuing a career in this field.

As part of its efforts, the nonprofit organization will host an inaugural fundraising gala on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which partnered with the fund to host the dinner. In the 1940s, Williams completed a major renovation for the landmark complex including the design of the iconic signage.  Proceeds from the 

event will provide financial aid to students at seven HBCUs – Historically Black Colleges and Universities – and at USC.


Explaining the impetus for launching the initiative, Executive Director Karen Hudson said that the fund was named for legendary architect Paul R. Williams, FAIA, who was also her grandfather and the designer of more than 3,000 structures during his five-decade career.  Williams became known as the “architect to the stars,” while also building affordable housing and public projects.

“This year marks 100 years since Paul Williams became the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects, and to date, they only have 2% membership of Black licensed architects,” said Hudson. “This effort is more than a tribute to my grandfather and other trailblazers in the field, it is a call to action.”

 

The Paul R. Williams Scholarship and Education Fund include a K-12 component to acquaint students to career paths with the field of architecture. In addition, the fund will offer mentoring and financial support to students pursuing professional licensing and scholarships to fourth and fifth-year architecture students enrolled at one of the seven HBCUs offering an accredited architecture program.  USC architecture students will be eligible to apply for the scholarship as well since the university is Williams’ alma mater.

“We feel, as a family and as a community, we have to make a difference because architecture, basically, fits our everyday lives. It's not just beautiful homes or hotels.

It's transportation at your grocery storage, your cleaners, it's your department store, the cities we live in and how we live our life and build life,” noted Hudson. 

“My grandfather was pretty special, so we are just trying to use his legacy to make us realize that for all our blessings, we have to give back. We want all the young kids to know that being an architect is a viable option for them.”

To learn more, visit thepaulrwilliamscollection.com or follow on Instagram: paulrwilliamscollection.

Category: News

October 05, 2023

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

 

A recent poll by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) revealed that California residents have differing opinions on cash reparations for Black people. In response, the state’s Congressional Black Caucus intends to launch a campaign across the state to educate citizens about the significance of reparations for Black communities affected by slavery. Caucus members said the campaign will push for direct financial compensation for African Americans.

A survey by the Berkeley IGS found that 60% of California voters believe that the legacy of slavery is still impacting the current situation of Black residents in the state.

Approximately 20% say they see some effect, and 13% say they see little.

The views compare to 31% who don’t think it has any impact. Further, the opinions of Democrats and liberals diverge considerably from those of Republicans and conservatives. Most Democrats and liberals in the state believe that the legacy of slavery has a significant or at least some impact on the lives of Black residents. In contrast, about two in three Republicans and conservatives take the opposite view and think the legacy has no effect today.

Most California voters (59% to 28%) oppose the state Reparations Task Force’s recommendations to provide cash payments to the descendants of enslaved Black people, according to the poll.

“The findings reveal California voters’ racial, political contradictions,” IGS co-director Cristina Mora said in a news release. “While many can empathize with the plight of Black Americans, not all these feelings will translate into support for policies that address longstanding racial harms. And though this might be an information issue for some groups, the fact that even liberals are divided indicates that campaigns for racial redress will face a steep uphill climb.”

Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a member of the reparations task force, emphasized that the poll results show a big lack of awareness about California’s long history of slavery and other forms of racism that have caused lasting harm to Black families.

“Polls can be skewed because usually enough information isn’t given to the people so that they don’t have a full understanding of what’s going on,” Jones-Sawyer told NBC News. “If each individual that they polled had read that 400-page document we did last year, which proved how California was complicit in chattel slavery, and read the 1,100-page document that we printed out this year, which talked about what reparations should be, there’s absolutely no way you would believe that [there] shouldn’t be some type of compensation.”

To bridge this knowledge gap, Jones-Sawyer said the Black Caucus would initiate a fundraising campaign to secure the services of a firm that delivers “clear, concise, and direct messaging” about the report. He emphasized the need to combat efforts to undermine the task force’s findings.

A big challenge is educating the members of the California Assembly. They are expected to sponsor legislation based on a 1,000-page report published in June by the task force. The state Reparations Task Force report addressed many areas and advocated for over 100 statewide policies to rectify generations of discrimination.

The text does not specify the amount of money that will be given to individuals who can prove their ancestry as either enslaved African Americans or free African Americans before 1900.

Jones-Sawyer illustrated the urgency of the matter with a compelling analogy: “If you were to buy something, and then later on, you find out that it was stolen property, you wouldn’t keep that property. You wouldn’t take advantage of it. Well, the labor of African Americans was stolen for centuries. And now we’re asking for us to restore our dignity, restore what was taken from us. And any legal system would tell you that is the appropriate measure that you should take. And I think any American, once they are educated, would understand why it’s so important to have reparations.”

However, the absence of a specified monetary figure remains a point of contention for many within the Black community. Cathy Adams, president of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of educating the public about the historical injustices.

“This isn’t about Black people looking for a check, a handout,” Adams told NBC. “This is bigger than that. The harms of slavery are real. We are dealing with a number of disparities and inequities in the Black community that stem from what was denied or taken from us, our ancestors.”

Denise Branch, an anti-racism educator and racial equity consultant, interpreted the poll results as indicative of lingering attitudes towards Black Americans. Branch argued that the lasting financial ramifications of slavery on Black communities cannot be dismissed.

The California Black Caucus is working with the Legislature on recommendations for reparations for Black Californians. They will involve the public in gathering insights and ideas to influence decision-makers. They plan to present their recommendations to Gov. Gavin Newsom in early 2024.

“Some of the best ideas we ever got did not come from elected officials, did not come from academics, did not come from a bureaucrat,” Jones-Sawyer affirmed. “They came from real people. And that’s going to be the thing that will get us over when we start talking to our fellow legislators about why this is so important and why they need to vote yes on it. We’re not going to get them all. But we don’t need them all. We just need the majority in the assembly. And I think we have a good clear path to that.”

Category: News

October 05, 2023

By Danny J. Bakewell, Jr.

Executive Editor

 

Governor Gavin Newsom promised to appoint a Black woman to replace the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.  With the selection of U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, he delivered to Californians a young, bold and unapologetically strong leader for the job.

The selection of Laphonza Butler was a surprise by many political leaders throughout California, if not the nation.  But, Laphonza Butler is not new to California politics.  She is a veteran former labor leader and community activist, who prior to accepting Gov. Newsom’s appointment served as the president of Emily’s List, a powerful democratic political advocacy group “dedicated to supporting Pro-Choice Women up and down the ballot and across the country with the goal of fighting for women's rights and our communities.” 

The last Black woman to serve in the Senate was Kamala D. Harris before she was elected U.S. vice president.   Harris, who has remained close to Butler for years, administered her friend’s oath of office on Tuesday, October 3, making Butler only the third female Black U.S. senator in the history of the nation.  Butler and Harris have been close since their paths crossed in California political circles much earlier in their careers.

At the age of 44, Butler will be one of the youngest members to serve in the U.S. Senate and she said about her appointment by Newsom, “You know, my selection came as a bit of a surprise to me for sure.”  But even with this surprise, many believe she is ready, willing and able to carry on the legacy of Feinstein. 

There is already a very intense race for Feinstein’s seat pitting veteran political leaders Congress­woman Barbara Lee, Congress­woman Katie Porter and Congress­man Adam Schiff for a term that will begin in January 2025. 

While Feinstein announced before her passing that she would not run for another term, Newsom had promised in 2021 to appoint a Black woman to the seat if Feinstein retired early. He made that vow shortly after he named Alex Padilla, who was then California’s secretary of state, to replace Harris when she was elected vice president. 

However, with the appointment of Butler, the race could get even tighter since Butler could run as the incumbent if she chooses to enter the race.  When asked if this was a potential move for her, the veteran leader said that she needed more time to make a decision. 

“I literally spent all of today in orientations, finding out how the Senate works. I have been on the campaigns. I know what it takes, but I also want to be respectful of the three current candidates.  I know they are qualified, capable leaders.  I want to be thoughtful about making a direct declaration.  I just haven’t made that decision. I just haven’t done that yet,” admitted Butler, California’s newest senator.

Gov. Newsom faced intense pressure from many Black leaders to choose Rep. Barbara Lee to fill the vacancy.  Lee, who is a veteran political leader, has a lot of experience on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, but Newsom had recently said “he didn’t want to put his thumb on the scales of the current race.” However, Newsom did not set any limitations or preconditions if Butler decides to enter the race according to many people who were closely involved in the selection process.

Outlining her vision for California, Butler made it clear that she does have a plan and also intends to carry forward many of the issues of her predecessor, Diane Feinstein. 

“I think, I can continue to be the center and driver of so many things here in California, but not just for our state, but for our country,” Butler said. 

“I intend to be a part of not only California, but the national conversation about reproductive freedom and I think being a senator from California, it is important to represent the residents of California in that national debate.”

Butler also intends to continue to be an advocate against gun violence, which is an issue that Sen. Feinstein was committed to since her own early political career was impacted by the murders of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in Nov. 1978.

“As a parent, my own daughter’s school has been put on lockdown because of gun violence,” noted Butler.  “I think that families want to see an end to not only to gun violence in schools, but also in our communities.  I want to continue working to find solutions to keep our children safe and help build them the kind of futures they want, that they deserve, and I intend to work to ensure that we are investing in education and strengthening our educators.”

Senator Butler is an experienced leader who has a clear grasp of the issues facing not only Californians, but working people throughout the nation.  Growing up in Magnolia, Mississippi, she watched her mother “sacrifice everything to put her kids first” after the death of her father, working night shifts as a nurse, security guard and classroom aide.

Senator Chuck Schumer, in a speech on the floor of the Senate, said Butler is only the third Black woman in American history to serve in the U.S. Senate.  He called the moment historic for California and the entire country.

 

“She’s the first openly lesbian senator from California, and she’s the first openly LGBTQ senator of color to serve in this body,” Schumer said. “Today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.”

Labor leaders from across the nation also praised the selection of Butler, from Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor to members of SEIU where Butler served in several leadership position for over 10 years. 

“Laphonza Butler has dedicated her life to uniting working people and fighting for economic and racial justice. She is a strong, passionate leader, and she will make an outstanding U.S. Senator,” the union’s president, Mary Kay Henry, said in a statement.

Finally, Butler also wanted it to be known that she is a major advocate for economic empowerment.   She said she wants to make sure that “from local small business to Silicon Valley startups to real estate investors [that] we as a country have to make sure we are creating those economic opportunities and also making sure that we are deploying those resources equitably for all.,” she stressed.   

“We have to spread those resources across all communities and across all lines. Let’s not forget women are the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the country and I want to be able to continue my work to focus on strengthening the economic prosperity and mobility of women across the state of California and across the country,” stated the senator.

 

Butler has spent her life working for the betterment of working-class people and as a U.S. Senator, she insisted that she doesn’t intend to stop doing that work. 

“I want to make sure that I am utilizing my platform as the United States Senator for California to really put the debate on the issues for workers.  This has been a hot labor summer. There are still hundreds of thousands of workers who are suffering from economic inequality,” said Butler.

She added, “We have to work to address housing insecurities, food insecurities and focus on all the things that will really help families thrive. I think we've got to really start to talk about tell the stories and really engage everyone in a meaningful way to find solutions that hopefully we can start through collegial conversations.” 

Butler noted that through collegial conversations, the public will discover that the farmer in Fresno probably has a lot in common with that farmer in Iowa and in finding and addressing those similar issues leads to engaging and building partnerships to find the solutions to make government work for both of those farmers and farmers all across the place.

Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., executive publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel and chairman of Bakewell Media, said that the selection of Laphonza Butler as the newest California senator was a brilliant selection by the Governor. 

“Laphonza is a serious leader.  She understands not only the issues facing our community, but she also knows and understands the issues facing working people throughout the nation,” Bakewell said. 

“Look at her resume, look at the work she has done, the lives she’s affected and the results she has delivered on.  She is a strong Black woman who has dedicated her life to the service of others, and I have no doubt she will do an excellent job in the U.S. Senate.  Congratulations Laphonsa!”

Category: News

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