top of page

It's Gonna Be a Wild Ride

Writer's picture: thebiteweeklythebiteweekly

We're only 8 days into this new administration and Donald Trump's actions have impacted the health, safety, and livelihoods of people across the globe. Can we skip to 2029 already?


Trump, Take Two

As part of the additional executive orders that 47 has signed, he has ended diversity and affirmative action policies at the federal level, authorized ICE to round up undocumented immigrants from even schools, and given himself more power to fire federal workers. All of this is from the Project 2025 playbook. Y’all didn’t really believe that he was clueless about it, did y’all?


Deportation flights have also begun to places like Guatemala and Colombia. So far, there’s been no status update on the return of white undocumented immigrants to their home countries.


On the domestic front, the POTUS is applying pressure on California officials in the aftermath of the wildfires. He suggested withholding federal aid from the state until Governor Newsom implements voter ID laws. He also argued that wealthy residents impacted by the Palisades Fire should be able to go on their own properties to clean the hazardous debris, which LA’s mayor strongly discouraged.


A federal judge in Seattle blocked the attempt to end birthright citizenship, citing the move as “blatantly unconstitutional.” The hold will only be in place for 14 days while lawyers on both sides prepare for a legal battle. 


Also, did anyone know that there were global anti-Trump protests happening on Inauguration Day?


Congress, What’s Good?

Senate Republicans are being bullied by the executive office to confirm all of its cabinet nominees or else. This comes after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was barely confirmed amidst news that he paid a rape accuser $50K to go away. With just 4 out of 25 nominees confirmed, we’ll see what else comes out about Trump’s chosen ones. We all know birds of a questionable feather flock together. Also, before you ask, YES there is one Black cabinet pick. If confirmed, former NFL player Scott Turner would be the head of—you guessed it—Housing and Urban Development.


A GOP rep from Tennessee wants to modify the 22nd Amendment to give Trump a 3rd term. While many of us are like “Hell to the nah,” don’t be surprised by any attempts to take it further. The orange man in the White House has already thrown his support behind the idea


Democrats, though outnumbered, are still fighting. All 47 Dems in the Senate blocked an abortion bill that would criminalize medical providers for not giving proper care to babies that survive abortion attempts. The logic for blocking the bill is that it adds legal risk to healthcare workers on something that they are already required to do (i.e. not kill a child). Additionally, it is extremely rare for infants to survive an abortion attempt as it is.


In committee meetings this week:


Social Justice Round Up

Target shocked the streets when they announced the end of their DEI objectives, but should we really be shocked by anything anymore? The decision has sparked a debate within the community over whether we should be avoiding Target completely or occasionally shopping there to still support the Black-owned brands on their shelves. 


While we personally cannot stand the chaos in Costco stores, they get a point for doubling down on their commitment to be inclusive while conservatives continue to apply pressure against their “woke” business model.


A Mississippi lawmaker introduced a bill that would create a bounty hunter certification program in the state and pay eligible residents $1,000 to report the whereabouts of undocumented immigrants.


Black Altadena residents that were impacted by the Eaton Fire are making sure they get their GoFundMe money despite the platform seeming to prefer campaigns with white and/or wealthy beneficiaries.


Speaking of victims of the fires, FEMA is raising the flag that GoFundMe campaigns need to be worded very carefully to ensure those in need are still eligible for government assistance. Know a resident that’s been impacted? Make sure they know how to get their money from FEMA too. In short, the language in their crowdfunding campaigns must be vague enough to ensure the government is not paying for something that’s already been paid for through a fundraising campaign.


What the Health

Donnie ordered federal health agencies like the CDC, FDA, NIH, etc. to pause all reporting and public health announcements until they are reviewed and approved by a Trump appointee. While this order is supposed to be lifted on February 1, some are concerned that this may be part of a larger strategy to ensure the agencies are only pushing narratives beneficial to Trump.


While our health agencies are figuring it out, the bird flu is continuing to evolve. A rare strain of the virus not previously seen in the U.S. was found on a commercial duck farm in California earlier this month. While the virus is most commonly passed in bird populations, it has also been found among cattle and among people who work with infected animals. Authorities say the virus has not been found to pass from human to human.


Here’s something that may shock you: Multiple sclerosis is actually more prevalent in Black women than any other group segmented by race and gender. For all the time we thought MS was a “white disease,” it was the lack of inclusion in clinical studies that led to widespread misunderstandings about our risk of being diagnosed.


BTW, don’t forget to incorporate mindfulness activities in your day-to-day. The news can be stressful, but don’t let these people knock you off your game.


Around the Diaspora

A number of countries in the Motherland that rely on the WHO for HIV treatment and prevention are now unsure of where this money will come from with the United States’ withdrawal from the organization.


Jamaica entered a partnership with the Philippines that will include an exchange program for healthcare workers and build both countries’ capacity to address healthcare challenges.


In 2024, Grenada earned over $400M USD from foreign investors buying their way into dual citizenship.


Our Black Jobs & Our Black Money

A new study says 60% of people in this country are stressed about money, so you know that number is higher for Black folks. One way that people are combatting this issue is by more diligently managing their finances as a form of self care. What’s part of your financial wellness plan?


Culture that Pops

A group of retired Black women in Philly gather weekly to sew period pads for women of the African diaspora. 


While others may get the shine for pushing the WNBA forward, Black women on the court and in the conference rooms have been at the forefront of making the league what it is today. Clap for ‘em.


Can you believe it’s been 5 years since we lost Kobe? Here’s a trip down memory lane of some of the icon’s most beloved moments.

Kommentare


bottom of page