With a Democrat-controlled Congress, we still can't keep white terrorists from buying and modifying weapons for mass killings of Black people, codify Roe v. Wade, or put a cap on these exorbitant gas prices...but we gotta turn around and vote for them again in November because the alternative is the Republican party? What??
The Skinny on COVID
The latest in numbers: 82M total cases & 998K total deaths (+633K & +2K from last week) in the US.
The headlines:
According to Dr. Fauci, it still ain’t safe for Black America.
Have you noticed that we (the United States) are extremely close to reaching one million COVID deaths?
We’re officially in another COVID surge. Experts say second booster shots need to be made available to everyone.
This Is America
There aren’t enough things to say after the weekend’s white supremacist terrorist attack on Black residents in a Buffalo, NY grocery store. This nation’s very foundation was built on violence in the name of white supremacy. That said, the fatigue from the violence, grief and fear sadly feels familiar, if not ancestral.
Our love goes out to the victims of this attack, their families, and our larger community that’s reminded yet again that our skin color is a target even in the produce aisle.
Our ire goes out to the country we live in and its unwillingness to address white supremacy/terrorism and the obsessive-ass gun culture. Save your thoughts and prayers (they always been empty anyway) and actually do something.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
Just as they want to force women to have children, a baby formula shortage hits. Despite what the GOP says, it’s NOT due to immigration policies (Racists really will believe anything, won’t they?). Anyway, President Biden says he plans to allow more imported formulas and expand WIC eligibility to increase supply.
Biden announced the Affordable Connectivity Program, which will provide discounted internet services for low income families.
Curious to know about POTUS and VPOTUS’ money moves? The White House just released financial disclosure reports for them both.
Congress, What’s Good?
In a symbolic vote, the Senate failed to protect abortion by federal law—again—thanks to Joe Manchin. In true Joe fashion, he sided with all 50 Republican Senators to strike down the measure. Manchin says he would support another abortion bill, but not the one that was put before him last week. Yeah, okay.
Over in the House, they voted to give Ukraine $40B in more aid. They also passed a bill that—if passed by the Senate—would give TSA employees more of the rights & benefits enjoyed by other federal employees. In upcoming votes, they’ll be saying yay or nay to legislation that would put a cap on gas prices. That particular bill might (prolly) don’t make it.
Almost 18 months in, have y’all seen massive improvements from this fully Democratic Congress yet?
In committee meetings this week, Congress will discuss:
Improving the justice system for juveniles
Creating a resilient and affordable food supply chain
Supporting the mental health of older adults
Election Watch: 2022 Midterms
Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon & Pennsylvania are all up next. Here’s what to look out for in tomorrow’s primary elections.
A Florida judge threw out Governor Ron DeSantis’ map that reduces the power of Black voters. Never one to accept defeat (aka treating others fairly), De Santis has appealed the ruling.
Abortion is becoming increasingly more important leading up to November’s elections. It still hasn’t changed the tide for Dems though.
Social Justice Round Up
Brittney Griner, a clear pawn of war between Russia and Ukraine/the US, will be detained for an additional 30 days before her case heads to trial. She’s been in Russian custody for nearly 3 months already.
Thousands of Katrina survivors are being sued by the State of Louisiana for using grant funding they were told was available to help rebuild their homes.
Jay-Z and Roc Nation are hosting a social justice summit this summer to address the systemic oppression that our community continues to face.
Around the Diaspora
8 miners in Burkina Faso have been trapped since an unexpected flood on April 16. The Canadian company that owns the mine says the 8 workers were last known to be stuck 500 meters (roughly 1/3 mile) down from the surface and that water is still being pumped in an attempt to locate them.
Ghana is determined to get itself out of debt without the help of international forces.
Jamaica is considering opening a new international airport.
Africon 2022, happening from May 25-28 in Los Angeles, is a conference that brings together the cultures, food & innovations from the global Black diaspora. Who’s going?
Getting to the Money
Looking for a new role? The Creative Collective always has their Creative AF careers page with open positions across tech, marketing, the arts & education. Check out their latest offerings and sign up for their newsletter here.
Buying Black
TW Tote wants to use their collection of double insulated “luxury” lunch bags to change the conversation from “What is that?” to “Where you get that from?” Their water-resistant and lightweight bags are practical for carrying hot and cold lunches and prolly look better than whatever it is you got from Target, Walmart or Amazon. Going back into the office regularly? Consider letting them upgrade you.
Culture that Pops
The first all-Black mountain climbing team reached the peak of Mount Everest last week. Runteldat to somebody who doesn’t believe we can excel at everything we put our minds to.
Kendrick Lamar released his 5th album, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, last week. Are we feeling it?
Toni Morrison’s 1973 novel Sula will be adapted into an HBO series.