Things on our mind this week: It was truly beautiful to see influential people rally the community quickly and put money behind a singular cause that people could believe in. Wouldn't it be amazing if they were also motivated to do that for causes that are more direct & tangible for our community? Think water in Flint or Jackson, generators in Houston, etc. Sweet dreams are made of this.
Looking to 2024
While the presidential race has been dominating the news cycle, our state and local elections are actually more important. Are you aware of what candidates and issues are further down on your ballot? Check out what you’ll be expected to vote for in November with Ballotpedia. You can use your address to get a sample ballot and educate yourself ahead of time.
Kamala Harris’ emergence as the Democratic front runner has sparked a new political fundraising venue: Zoom. After 40K Black women jumped on a call to raise $1.5M and 50K Black men raised $1.3M, other identity-based groups have followed suit. In total, she’s raised over $200M in the past week, proving that she is breathing new life into the Democratic campaign.
So, where does everyone stand on Kamala’s former position as a “top cop?” In case you haven’t looked it up, check out what some of her proponents and detractors have to say about her record as a San Fran’s DA and the AG of California here.
Their initial silence was loud, especially after calling for an open convention, but the Obamas have officially endorsed Kamala Harris as the next POTUS.
Is Donnie afraid of Kamala? Trump and Biden were supposed to debate again on September 10, but Trump is refusing to agree to anything until she's officially the Democratic nominee. The Democratic National Convention is from August 19-22, so we can expect her to officially nab the nomination then.
First complete immunity for the police and now this? Trump recently said that if he’s elected this year, we won’t need to vote again in another 4 years. How Sway??? Hmm on second thought… nevermind. Let’s hope people don’t fuck around at the polls because then we actually might find out. We’re looking at you, white women.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
Joe Biden is wrapping things up now that he put in the equivalent of his 2-week notice. Last week he gave an address that focused on passing the baton to a new generation, defending democracy, and using his remaining months in office to end the war in Gaza…allegedly.
Unfortunately for all of us, the likelihood of widespread war in the Middle East increased exponentially over the weekend. Lebanon attacked Israel for its actions against Palestinians, killing 12 Israeli teenagers. Israel retaliated in return. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken gave a statement that called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but that also confirmed the US’ determination to ensure its special friend Israel could defend itself.
While everybody is all ra-ra for Kamala, she’s still out there being ra-ra for Israel. In response to a mostly peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration in D.C., she released a very one-sided statement focusing solely on the violence and condemning the protest as being anti-Semitic. In case y’all wanted a glimpse of how a potential President Harris would approach this issue, there it is.
Congress, What’s Good
On the Hill, House Republicans apparently left early for recess because they weren’t getting any work done. You know what they did do though? They officially voted to condemn VP Harris for the handling of the Southern border. A representative from Tennessee also made sure to file new articles of impeachment against her, highlighting her not invoking the 25th amendment against Biden as another angle of attack. Remember taking finals before happily going off on summer break? The fact that Congress failed to do anything meaningful before going away tells us they need to be in summer school. Any teachers available for Government 101?
So that huge protest in DC that we mentioned earlier was due to Benjamin Netayahu’s long-awaited speech on Capitol Hill. After his address, which was misleading at best, he was met with cheers from the GOP, empty seats from half of the Democrats, and a very angry Palestinian (Rashida Tlaib).
This week’s committee meetings are mostly from the Senate since the House checked out already. Some of the issues they’re discussing include:
Giving rural businesses a chance to compete on a global scale
Determining who’d benefit from a ban of noncompete clauses
Examining the impact of giving birth behind bars
Assessing the USA’s influence around the globe, which is really our insistence on telling other people around the world what they should do and forcing them to do it
Social Justice Round Up
Bodycam footage from Sonya Massey’s murder was released last week and showed what we already knew would be the case: unnecessary and unjustified force. After being discharged from the army for “serious misconduct” and being fired from 5 other police departments, the fact that this officer was able to make his way onto another police force is sadly indicative of just how low the bar is for those seeking to “protect & serve.”
Black families living in Coloma, California during the Gold Rush were swindled out of their land. Now, their descendants are coming for their checks.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California might criticize Republicans often, but apparently not when it comes to their rulings on homelessness. Leveraging the recent SCOTUS ruling that allowed banning the homeless from sleeping in public spaces, Newsom issued an executive order that greenlit cities across the state to break up homeless encampments in a “humane and dignified” way. The issue with this is, there isn’t enough housing available for the state’s 180K homeless people, so where are they expected to go? Based on that Supreme Court decision, jail is now a viable option.
What the Health
Unfortunately, our health pays the price for “climate friendly” solutions too. Black folks in Gloster, Mississippi are reporting poor health outcomes due to pollution from a nearby wood pellet plant. The wood pellets are being produced to meet a high demand in the European Union, which seeks to move away from coal for more renewable energy sources.
Allow us to say this again for the people in the back: Black people can get sunburnt. Protect yourself at all costs this summer because this sun ain't the same one we grew up with.
Health officials in San Francisco recommend indoor masking again due to their current surge in COVID cases.
Around the Diaspora
Afro-Puerto Ricans scored a win after their governor signed a law prohibiting hair discrimination.
#EndBadGovernance protests are underway in Nigeria as citizens feel the strain of the high cost of living and increased fuel prices. We’re praying they start off and remain peaceful as we remember the #EndSARS protests and in light of the fact that police are seeking the identities and locations of the organizers
People in Somalia have been subjected to US drone strikes for the past 17 years, but they’ve never received an apology, even when the Pentagon admitted to killing civilians. US officials want people to believe that you can count the number of civilians who have been killed in these strikes on one hand. Yes, just 5 people. Other estimates, however, say that number is closer to 15K.
Our Black Jobs & Our Black Money
Want to buy a home? Would you be the first generation in your family to do so? Then you’re in luck. Panorama Mortgage Group, an independent mortgage bank, is offering a program that requires first time, first gen homebuyers to put down a 1% downpayment and is giving a 2% down payment assistance grant that will not have to be repaid. You can reach Panorama Mortgage Group via their website to learn more directly.
Culture that Pops (The Olympic Edition)
While we are overrepresented when it comes to basketball and track and field at the Olympics, did you know that Black folks are also on the Olympic teams for swimming, fencing, and skateboarding?
Simone Biles is back and she’s already dominating the.
If you found yourself asking why Snoop is in Paris, all in the videos and dancing (lol), it’s because somebody in a boardroom knew that he’s himself wherever he goes. Catch his play-by-play commentary for Olympic badminton (of all things) that went viral here.
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