Volume 4/ Issue 6 - Black Westchester January 15, 2021

VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 6

COMPLIMENTARY

JANUARY 15, 2021

Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas

INSIDE BW

LOCAL REACTIONS TO THE ATTEMPTED COUP BY PRO-TRUMP TERRORISTS AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL PAGE 7

AWARD WINNING DEVELOPER TRINITY FINANCIAL JOINS MOUNT VERNON’S LIBRARY SQUARE TEAM PAGE 8

LOUIS MOLINA SWEARS-IN AS NEW LAS VEGAS POLICE CHIEF PAGE 9

FOR SOME AMERICANS KNEELING IS MORE DISRESPECTFUL THAN INSURRECTION BY REHAN SABRI PAGE 18

STACEY ABRAMS

BLACK WESTCHESTER’S 2020 PERSON OF THE YEAR PHOTO BY DAN WINTERS PHOTOGRAPHY PAGES 14 - 15

THREE THINGS THE WAY TO OFF-DUTY COPS & FIREFIGHTERS CHARMAINE WONG BIDEN WILL WELLNESS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AN AMERICAN DREAM

BY LASHAWN ‘SUGA WERE AT CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL INHERIT JAN 21ST REALIZED RAY’ MARSTON

BY DR. SILVIA M. LLOYD

BY AJ WOODSON PAGE 24 PAGES 22

PAGE 23

PAGE 21

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FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES AJ WOODSON Published by URBANSOUL MEDIA GROUP 455 Tarrytown Rd., Suite 1318 White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 979-2093 www.BlackWestchester.com

Email:

BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: @BlkWestchesterM and @PBPRadio Instagram: @BlackWestchester and @PBPRadioShow Facebook: /BlackWestchesterMagazine

Publisher DAMON K. JONES @DamonKJones

Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON

@BWEditorInChief

Mistress Of Information Brenda L. Crump News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Brian Harrod Lashawn “Suga Ray” Marston Rehan Sabri Dr. Silvia M. Lloyd Photographers AJ Woodson

As Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine (BW), I would like to thank everyone for their support of our efforts to bring information to the people of Westchester County. As we embark on a new chapter for BW, we hope to continue to empower the reader on issues in their communities.

Independent media like BW has become more than a mere institution; instead, the independent media acts as a direct participant in the traditional three-branch system of governance.

What many fail to realize is that independent media serves a fundamental role in making democracies run efficiently, even though there are frequent clashes. Independent media system thus often “reflects the political philosophy in which Democracy indeed functions”.

This being said, BW will not be disregarded as a trivial player in the responsibilities of being a check and balance system in the political process of the Black Communities of Westchester.

BW’s purpose is not only to address the political process that affects the everyday lives of communities of colour in Westchester County. BW’s mission has also been to shine a light on the brilliant culture, morals, values and elegant lifestyle of Black people. It’s time to change the narrative on how Black people are portrayed in media.

As Publisher of BW, our doors are open to the public. From the publication, the website, our radio show and now the newspaper; our doors are open to the people. We do not do this for any grander position or status; we do it for the people.

A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF W elcome to our January 15, 2021 Issue

As we say goodbye to 2020, a year many of us would like to forget, we welcome A New

Year, A New Decade, and A New Presidential Administration which includes our First Female, First African-American and First South Asian Vice President, it cannot help but feel like a moment we have all been waiting for to exhale. Trump is GONE, well atleat out of the White House.

In his last days in office, he incited supporters turned Domestic Terrorists to invade the United States Capitol while Congress was in session to certify his successor victory in the November election. COVID has shown no intention of going anywhere any time soon and introcuced us to a new strain of the virus while a good portion of the population in the nation, especially persons of color have no intention of taking the vaccine. But we still have a lot to be thankful for.

In our first issue of the new year we dedicated the cover and centerfold Stacey Abrams who after having an election snatched from her, snatch the hold damn state back for the Democrats, turning the state of Georgia Blue and helping the Dems get control of the Senate by igniting persons of color to come out in record number for the run-off election. In this issue we celebrate her and the historic victory of Kamala Harris. We also address the insurrection at the US Capitol from several angles and introduce our new Health and Wellness section.

We would like to take this time to thank all the readers, listeners, supporters, sponsors, contributors, and advertisiers for their support in our effort to deliver the “News With The Black Point Of View,” since 2014. Send us your feedback, let us know what you think of this issue. Let us know subjects/topics you would like to see us cover in the future and send your letters ot the editor to BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com.

Peace and Blessings AJ Woodson, Editor-In-Chief and Co-Owner

BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY CLAIMS OF

ADVERTISEMENTS THAT APPEAR IN PRINT OR ANY OTHER DIGITAL OR AUDIO FORMAT. ADVERTISEMENTS DO NOT INFLUENCE EDITORIAL DECISIONS OR CONTENT, WE ARE THE FREE PRESS!

Graphic Designers AJ Woodson Paula S. Woodson/ PS Visually Speakin’ For Advertising Rates Contact Heather Smith at hsmith. blackwestchester@gmail.com Letters To The Editor BWEditorInChief@gmail.com

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JANUARY 15, 2021

BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS

BY AJ WOODSON

CONGRESSMAN JAMAAL BOWMAN EXPLICITLY ADDRESSES WHITE SUPREMACY & ITS PRESENCE IN OUR POLICE FORCES

Newly elected Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) appeared on MSNBC Live With Ali Veshi, the morning of Saturday, January 9th, expressing the need to impeach President Trump immediately after insurgences invaded the White House, Wednesday afternoon. In the interview Congressman Bowman explicitly addressed white supremacy and it’s presence in our police forces and looking into whether our not some of the Capitol Police were complicit.

“We need to understand white supremacists have just waged war on the United States government. So white supremacy has been around since America has been around, for 401 years…” Bowman told Veshi Saturday morning on MSNBC.

Rep. Bowman is introducing legislation to call for a commission to investigate Capitol Police and whether any of its members have ties, directly or indirectly, to white nationalists and white nationalist sympathizers.

The Bronx and Westchester congressman is authoring the Congressional Oversight of Unjust Policing Act, or COUP Act, to establish a commission to investigate the attack and potential ties between White supremacists and Capitol Police.

Like the Squad’s most outspoken member, Representative Alexandria OcasioCortez better known as the Notorious AOC, Bowman is ‘kicking in the door waving the 44’ as supposed to playing the ‘polite language’ policy game, that Obama and many of his generation are known for. That is probably why the Squad has welcomed Bowman with open arms. Yup the Squad just got a little larger, Blacker and Bolder with the presence of the newest member, Jamaal Bowman. He now holds the seat that was held for three decades by Eliot Engel, a further example of the generational shift taking place in politics.

“We have to stare White nationalism in the face,” Bowman said Saturday at a press conference in New York to discuss the fallout of the violent attempt to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote.

“We have to deal with it directly, not only through law enforcement, but by recognizing that White nationalism lives in every American institution.”

Bowman said his proposed commission would examine how White nationalism might exist within Capitol Police and whether police assisted rioters in entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, forcing lawmakers to evacuate.

“As we experienced Wednesday’s horrible events, my first question was: ‘How the hell were they able to penetrate the Capitol? Why were Capitol Police so undermanned and overwhelmed so quickly?” Bowman shared with Black Westchester.

One video on social media appears to show police taking selfies with rioters who stormed into the Capitol. Other videos appear to show police letting pro-Trump rioters move past barricades.

“There’s so many unanswered questions and that’s why we need a thorough investigation,” Bowman said Saturday. “And as we’ve seen on the media, some of the Capitol Police let the rioters into the Capitol.”

Bowman’s legislation is the latest effort by the “squad” to hold people accountable for the violence at the Capitol that led to five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer.

Congesswoman Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was quick to circulate new articles of impeachment against President Trump for inciting the riot. Democrats now are moving forward with a quick impeachment next week on a different version of the articles.

And Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., has authored a separate resolution to expel GOP members of Congress who incited the violence at the Capitol.

Civil rights groups and lawmakers have been furious over the vastly different approach law enforcement took to Wednesday’s U.S. Capitol breach compared to last summer’s Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.

Black Westchester texted the freshman congressman to check and make sure he was safe Wednesday while terrorists were invading the U.S. Capital, he assured us he was okay.

“What we saw today was an attempted coup, performed by white supremacists, emboldened by a fascist,” Bowman responded. “Thankfully, myself and my staff are all safe. But we need action to remove Trump. Then we need to move to immediately and explicitly reconcile the our country’s history of racism.”

In addressing what Bowman called “the systemic failures in the Capitol security apparatus.” The COUP act would also investigate any possible ties between members of U.S. Capitol Police and white supremacist movements.

“How does it happen that a group of armed, violent insurrectionists are able to march into one of the most secure buildings on Earth and force members of Congress to hide under their desks?” Bowman questioned. “This is not entirely a story of incompetence on the part of law enforcement, and we have to ask: did some of those charged with protecting us willingly lay down their posts? Was there a coordinated effort to take over the United States government with violence?” Bowman’s bill proposed a commission will be tasked with publishing a report that recommends specific measures and reforms to “realign recruitment, hiring and retention policies and practices of the U.S. Capitol Police to address both conscious and unconscious biases.”

That would include making changes to existing law, changes to federal programs, and suggestions for actions the private sector can take. His proposed law also “empowers the commission to make specific recommendations to combat the growth of far-right ideologies within the ranks of federal law enforcement. Why wasn’t there a coordinated effort from the beginning with other members of law enforcement? Is there a relationship between law enforcement and white supremacists? We need a 9/11-type commission to investigate what happened here,” Bowman said.

YONKERS COUNCILWOMAN SHANAE WESTCHESTER MLK INSTITUTE’S WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES HER CANDIDACY STATEMENT ON THE JANUARY FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 2021 ATTACKS IN WASHINGTON DC Yonkers Councilwoman Shanae Williams announced her intentions to run for Westchester County Clerk at the Yonkers Democratic Party Executive Committee Meeting, Wednesday, December 17th.

“I am running for Westchester County Clerk because I believe that the people of this county want change,” Councilwoman Williams shares with Black Westchester. “They want a government that works for them, including the County Clerk’s Office. What they don’t want is a career politician who’s looking to pad his pension after receiving a huge political pay raise.

Councilwoman Williams believes she is the right candidate to serve as the next Westchester County Clerk.

“In this day and age we have to start thinking about future generations and the best ways to serve them,” Councilwoman Williams shares with Black Westchester. “The County Clerk’s Office has a wealth of information. I believe that I am the right candidate to help bring equitable access to the information that this office has, which the people need, especially those in marginalized, under-served communities.”

The Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence issued a statement, Sunday addressing the ‘Chaos At The Capitol.’

Did we have any doubts about the pervasiveness and power of white supremacy? Or about the stark contrasts between law enforcement’s responses to those who violently attacked our nation’s Capitol Building versus its utter suppression of nonviolent Black Lives Matter protests?

What we already knew is in others’ faces now, and even mainstream folks are naming it: the forces of rampant racism—active, conscious and complicit.

Dr. King had no doubts, and he faced these challenges head on. So must we. Blacks, Muslims, Indigenous Peoples, Latinx people, immigrants, LBGTQ communities and more need our aggressive participation in confronting hatred, bigotry and oppression. We are determined.

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”― Martin Luther King Jr.

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JANUARY 15, 2021

CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL

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LOCAL REACTIONS TO THE ATTEMPTED COUP BY PRO-TRUMP TERRORISTS & WHITE SUPREMACISTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL By now we have all seen the mob of violent

pro-Trump terrorists who stormed and invaded the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday, January 6th while expressing anger over the results of the 2020 election and disrupting the tally of Electoral College votes.

The incident at the Capitol exposes once and for all – for the whole world to see – how law enforcement deals with unarmed peaceful Black Protestors and how they deal with armed white Terrorists who were allowed to invade the Capitol and disrupt the confirmation of a new president.

This was nothing short of criminal chaos on Capitol Hill with Trump’s encouragement.

Here are some local reactions to attempted coup by Pro-Trump terrorists and white supremacists at the the United States Capitol.

Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17) demands Donald Trump and his Republican JCPA Condemns Violence and Insurrection co-conspirators in Congress be removed from office.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) strongly condemns the violent “The President of the United States, abetted by his Republican co-conspira- insurrection at the United States Capitol Building. This was a direct assault on tors in Congress, incited an armed insurrection against our nation’s legislative our democratic process, and nothing less than an attempt to disrupt the peacebranch. Consequences must be swift,” Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17) ful transition of power in a presidential election and an act of sedition. shared with Black Westchester. “I have signed onto articles of impeachment We urge in the strongest possible terms that President Trump and othagainst President Trump for abuse of power and high crimes and misdemean- ers immediately cease incendiary rhetoric and restore order. We urge memors. I have joined my colleague, Congresswoman Cori Bush, in calling for the bers of Congress and other responsible elected officials to speak out against expulsion of the members of Congress who have flagrantly violated the 14th the violence and immediately cease all questioning the legitimacy of the elecAmendment. And I have joined a letter calling on Vice President Pence to tion. Those who have broken the law must be held accountable for their acinvoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. I urge my colleagues tions. We thank Capitol Police and law enforcement for putting themselves in to join me. The fate of our republic is on the line.” harm’s way and keeping our elected officials and their staff safe.

We urge Americans to stand together against politically motivated vioCongressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) also called for Trump’s removal lence and for our democracy.

“What we saw today was an attempted coup, performed by white supremacists, emboldened by a fascist. Thankfully, myself and my staff are all safe. But we need action to remove Trump. Then we need to move to immediately and explicitly reconcile the our country’s history of racism.”

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins On Crisis In Washington D.C. “Donald Trump began his presidency talking about ‘American carnage,’ and now that is how he is ending his time in office,” New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins shared with Black Westchester. “People are storming the U.S. Capitol because the President has told them he has been wronged, despite there being no evidence to support that claim. Over the past four years, more than any other time, we have seen that elections matter, voting matters, and leadership matters. As President, Donald Trump has been a failure, and the American people, our image, and our values have paid the price.”

CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE BLASTS LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO RIOTERS WHO STORMED CAPITOL

Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey on the attack on the U.S. Capitol Today, in our Capitol, we witnessed an attack on the capitol, an attack that will delay Congress from conducting their business to accept the certification of the presidential election. In a nation where democracy is both central and inclusive, we are witnessing a severe lack of leadership that has influenced thousands to disrespect our fundamental American values. This is not a partisan issue, this is an American Issue. The value of unity and respect for the constitution must be recognized. The behavior today is un-American and we must stand together, as Americans, to confront it. As the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of the great City of Peekskill, we condemn the behavior we are witnessing in our capitol.

Mt Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard on the Chaos on the Capitol Many in Mount Vernon have shared their frustration and fears around the brazen attack. While we should be outraged and alarmed as a nation, this painful moment also provides clarity on the destructive nature of disinformation that hits close to home. For years, Trump, abetted by right-wing media’s web of distortions, has stoked rage and grievances in his followers. He and his admin- Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., a local civil rights advocate - who is a hero to some a istration have twisted truths and fomented fallacies, leaving many in his flock troublemaker to others - is blasting the law enforcement response to the believing even the most egregious conspiracy theories. They’ve proven just domestic terrorists who invaded the United States Capitol on January 6th.

Chamberlain says law enforcement clearly has two sets of rules when it how vulnerable Americans are to disinformation campaigns, which can comes to protestors and rioters depending on whether they are Black or white. culminate in tragedy anywhere in the United States, even here in our City.

“Had Black people stormed the Capitol the same exact way, we would have witnessed a massacre on live television,” says Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. Yonkers Councilwoman Shanae Williams says Impeach Trump (Again) “We saw the advantage that white people have over non-white people.”

He expressed the double standard shown by law enforcement toward We need to hurry up and get Trump out now. Can they please listen to Rep Omar and Rep Pressley and impeach him (again)? I don’t think America can white rioters and domestic terrorists as they invaded and occupied the Capitol stand one more day with him in the Oval Office at this point. The fact that people as opposed to the Black Lives Matter demonstrators who took to Washington are RIOTING at The U.S. Capitol is clearly because of him! We have seen and across the nation during the summer.

The double-standard in how law enforcement trearts people dependenough distraction and deflection from you Trump and we are over it! No more! ing on the color of the skin is something Kenneth knows all too well. 2021 will Bedford Town Supervisor MaryAnn Carr posted on Facebook; “An Attack on mark a decade since the killing of his father, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., by White Plains Police Officers who responded to a call for medical assistance, and to American Democracy – These were not demonstrators.” date their has been zero accountability.

““This is what we talk about when we talk about skin privilege or white County Executive George Latimer on Attack at U.S. Capitol privilege, my father did not have the right skin complexion, to survive what “We’ve all watched television this afternoon with some sense of horror about the attack at the Capitol that has happened when a large group of individuals happened to him almost 10 years ago,” he shares with Black Westchester.

Now matter what, Kenneth has been an inspiration to many others who stormed the Senate and House of Representatives. They marched inside into the chambers and disrupted the work of both houses as they seek to complete are fighting for justice by his steadfastness and unwavering spirit. He vowed he the electoral process of the Electoral College. I had to remind myself, and all would never give up until thereis justice for his father’s death and has been true of us, that this is a nation of law – not of men. We set rules and standards for a to his word for close to a decade.

“I have stayed the course regardless of any obstacles or criticisms and reason – and we pride ourselves as nation on following those rules because it gives equal opportunity for all and an equal sense of responsibility we have to very soon the will know that the city of White Plains law enforcement and elected were complicit in the Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. each other as fellow residents and citizens.

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BW NEWS

JANUARY 15, 2021

AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPER, TRINITY FINANCIAL JOINS MOUNT VERNON’S LIBRARY SQUARE TEAM

T he New York Housing Conference (NYHC) honored Trinity Financial with the distinction of being the best developer of the Year

2020. The company which began work in New York in 2013, will be the newest member of the development team for what is commonly known as the Library Square project in Mount Vernon, NY. “Trinity Financial is a community-driven, diverse team of real estate professionals with a proven track record of developing urban sites from New York to Greater Boston,” the NYHC said in its announcement of the award. “Trinity has a reputation for delivering high-quality multifamily projects resulting in a stronger urban fabric – with a commitment to people, place, and partners. They care about the communities where they invest because they live and work there too.”

The 20 S 2nd Square CMV/ Library Square new construction project planned for Mount Vernon’s downtown will consist of up to 340,000 square feet of mixed-use development space containing approximately 320 mixed-income residential units and up to 18,000 square feet of non-residential space. The proposed project will provide parking and bike storage in the basement, allowing the first floor to be devoted to active street-level uses (residential lobbies, retail and community spaces). The upper floors will house the residential units, building amenities and shall set aside square footage for community benefits such as flexible artist spaces. The residential program will include affordable, artist preference, workforce, and market-rate units.

As the newest member of the 20 S. 2nd Square CMV/ Library Square development team, Trinity joins another award-winning developer, Carlton Brown, a founding member of the US Green Council. Minority developer Carlton Brown has received numerous accolades for creating thriving communities through development projects. Beyond the building itself, the all-minority development team will address the social needs of young people as well as the economic deficiencies left by COVID-19 on multiple Mount Vernon residents who will struggle with employment and employability as more business close and some business sectors are earmarked never to return. The development team will be mindful of job creation for Mount Vernon residents as the project moves forward. To satisfy the needs of Mount Vernon’s young people, the development team chose as its leading community partner, Youth Community Outreach Program (YCOP). YCOP is a major Mount Vernon based organization welcoming all children, youth, and young adults regardless of their race, culture and or socioeconomic status in after school, summer school and out of school programs.

In just the last 7-years in New York alone, Trinity has underway or completed development projects totalling $661 million, with over 1,100 housing

(left to right) Donald Notice, Exec Dir. - West Harlem Group Assistance, Christoph Stump, VP, Design & Construction - Trinity Financial, Sadio Desmond, Dir of Special Projects - Trinity Financial, Kenan Bigby, Managing DirTrinity Financial, Stacey Polishook, Administrative Asst - Trinity Financial, Mike LeBrun, VP, Asset Mgmt - Trinity Financial, Thomas Brown, VP Development - Trinity Financial [submitted]

units and more than 100,000 square feet of retail, commercial, or community space. A well-established company, Trinity together with its property management division, Trinity Management, has a total of 300 employees with decades of experience in the development and management of transformative real estate projects. Commitment to diversity is also a core value for Trinity. The company is 50 percent minority-owned, with a senior staff that is 67 percent women and/or minority. Trinity’s projects consistently exceed goals for minority and women-owned business sub-contracting and workforce hiring by up to 150 percent. Its overall accomplishments in the last 30 years include more than $2 billion in innovative development, delivering high quality, sustainable, multifamily housing, ranging from affordable to luxury - all with a commitment to people and place.

“This award means a lot, because we established our practice in New York with the goal of bringing our community focused brand of development to the city not knowing how we would be received,” said Trinity’s Managing Director Kenan Bigby. “That the New York Housing Conference has recognized what we have achieved in this short time is extremely gratifying, and we appreciate the honor deeply.”

TOREY THOMAS ACQUIRES NEW YORK OLDEST BLACK SORORITY CELEBRATES GENERALS SEMI PRO BASKETBALL TEAM SWEARING IN OF SISTER KAMALA HARRIS Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and first woman of color sworn in as vice president of the United States, Wednesday, January 20th.

This historic achievement is also a landmark moment for the country’s oldest Black sorority with one of its own in the nation’s second-highest seat.

Former California Senator Kamala Harris is part of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated, the country’s first Black sorority with more than 300,000 members around the globe.The sorority is historic on its own and founded at Howard University, Harris’ alma mater.

Sisters hope its principles of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service to All Humankind will guide Harris as vice president.

In Westchester County around 100 members of the Zeta Nu Omega chapter, some who have met Harris, held an inauguration watch party to celebrate the moment.

The local chapter President Kristal Johnson says Harris’ new position shows Black women everywhere can accomplish anything - especially with your sisters by your side.

“I’m inspired by this…Vice President-elect Harris succeeding and being in this position, right, is what Alpha Kappa Alpha grooms us to be…It’s a proud moment for me and it’s a proud moment for Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated,” says Johnson.

They hope the sorority’s principles of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service will guide Harris as vice president. Sisters in Westchester call Harris an inspiration and another example of Harris breaking the glass ceiling.

The president of the entire sorority, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, is declaring today ‘Kamala D. Harris Day.’ White Plains native Torey Thomas is now the proud owner of the New York Generals of Westchester. Mr. Pick And Roll has just recently acquired the Semi Pro Basketball team.

“I’m very proud to announce that I have acquired the New York Generals Semi-Pro Basketball Team,” Torey Thomas shares with Black Westchester. “The NY Generals is here to serve as a stepping stone to help players gain exposure to play at the next level.The organization is looking for people who want to see basketball in our area flourish. We have a lot of talent but not many opportunities. Please follow @nygenerals for more updates. We are having tryouts and combine work in March. The Draft is April 3rd and we are slated to Start May 1st. United We Ball!”

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JANUARY 15, 2021

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NEWS ACROSS THE NATION BLACK FEMALE SECURITY GUARD ARRESTED, FIRED FOR PUNCHING TRUMP SUPPORTER IN SELF-DEFENSE

Ashanti Smith, a 28-year old security guard from Washington, DC, has been charged with assault for punching a Trump supporter on the night before the infamous Capitol riot. She was arrested and relieved from her job even though she acted in defense.

Unarmed and on break from her security job at that time, said she was acting in self-defense. In the raw video footage, Smith can be seen among the large group of protesters who were screaming racial slurs when some questioned who she was with.

“They didn’t have masks,” she told NBC Washington. “They proceed to try to take my mask off of my face.

I was on Instagram live just to protect myself and also show everyone what was going on..”

A pro-Trump protester, identified as Therese Duke by her daughter on Twitter, can be seen on video throwing the first punch at Ashanti’s face. Ashanti then responds by punching the woman in her face.

Another woman who was with Duke, identified as Anne Lorenz, followed Smith and hit her on the back of her head twice. The argument escalated quickly and a larger fight broke out until police officers were able to control it.

Smith has been relieved from her job pending investigation and was charged with simple assault on punching Duke. Lorenz was charged with simple assault and assault on an officer.

ATLANTA MAYOR ANNOUNCES PLAN TO ADDRESS SPIKE IN CRIME

FORMER WCDOC 1ST DEPUTY COMMISH SWEARS IN AS LAS VEGAS PUBLIC SAFETY CHIEF

ATL Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Lays Out New Criminal Justice Plan Atlanta – Mayor Keisha Bottoms released “One Atlanta: One APD Immediate Action Plan to “address crime and the systemic issues that lead to violence,” Monday, January 4th.

According to a press release issued by Bottoms’ office, the plan is the first part of a broader effort focused on bolstering support for the Atlanta Police Department and reforming policing in the city.

“The spike in violent crime in Atlanta and across the country must be addressed by both immediate and long-term actions,” Bottoms said in the press release.

“The One Atlanta: One APD Immediate Action Plan will address crime, and also the systemic issues that lead to violence.”

The mayor’s plan of action includes: • • • • • • •

Expand enforcement of nuisance properties.

Focus additional resources and increase targeted enforcement on gangs and gun violence.

Expand the Operation Shield camera network.

Support neighborhood safety planning.

Continue to focus on disrupting street racing and auto crimes.

Explore a new Public Safety Training Academy.

Improve APD recruiting and retention.

According to 11 Alive, homicides in Atlanta are up 48 percent since 2019 and “aggravated assaults are up 14 percent, while rapes, robberies and burglaries are down, overall.”

Last December, City Council President Felicia Moore said she had never seen so much crime in Atlanta, “In every part of the city, and citizens are a bit weary… I’m just seeing that citizens are shaken by the numbers of violent incidents that are taking place.”

After Bottoms rolled out her plan, Councilman J.P. Matzigkeit said, “I’d said that we’re at war with crime, and we need to start acting like it. And this plan really put a focus on it and is a very comprehensive plan.”

Bottoms also issued an administrative order directing an advisory council to explore recommendations for a new Public Safety Training facility and another related to APD recruiting and retention.

The plan comes as crime has skyrocketed in the city, including homicides, gun-related crime, assaults, car thefts, and street racing.

Bottoms is also cracking down on bars and clubs that refuse to obey COVID-19 restrictions, noting, “To all of our bar and nightclub owners, we’re putting you on notice today.”

STEVIE WONDER CALLS ON JOE BIDEN, KAMALA HARRIS TO ESTABLISH A TRUTH COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE INEQUALITY

Stevie Wonder celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a heartfelt video addressed to the late civil rights icon that called on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to establish a national truth commission.

The musician posted a four-minute video to his Twitter page on Monday in which he seemed to address his remarks directly to Dr. King, who was assassinated in 1968. In his speech, Wonder thanked the late civil rights

icon for the work he did in his life while lamenting the lack of progress the country has seen since his death.

“I met you when I was 14 years of age. You were a true hero and you became an inspiration. I have been blessed to write songs of love, hope and motivation.

Many of them inspired by your life,” the artist began.

He went on to denounce what little has been done in the wake of the civil rights movement.

Las Vegas, NV — Former Westchester County Dept. of Corrections 1st Deputy Commissioner Louis Molina was sworn-in as the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety Chief, Tuesday, January 12th.

“My wife and I are excited about joining the City of Las Vegas family,” Mr. Molina shared with Black Westchester. “I have dedicated my professional career to Law Enforcement and have been fortunate to be given an opportunity to lead an amazing department.

I look forward to sharing the best practices I have been a part of, and continuing to build on the many successes already in place at the Department of Public Safety.”

Louis Molina is a second-generation, decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps with more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement.

He will lead the city’s Department of Public Safety, which provides the public with law enforcement and detention services. This department manages the city jail and includes the deputy city marshals (who provide public safety at city parks and facilities) as well as animal control services.

Molina most recently served as the first deputy commissioner for the WCDOC. Having worked in policing, a district attorney’s office and corrections, Molina has operationalized sustainable criminal justice reform practices, leading to major improvement of operations, investment in staff and enhancement of public safety. He has also built strong partnerships with faith-based and community leaders, and nonprofit organizations working with the justice-involved population.

Molina received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Chaminade University, a Master of Public Administration from Marist College School of Management, a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and studied abroad at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He was a U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Scholar and most recently received a scholarship from the Harvard Business School Fund for Leadership & Innovation. Molina also has completed the Harvard Business School General Management Program.

Black Westchester congratulates Louis Molina in his new endeavor, he will be greatly missed in Westchester County.

THE MANY FACES OF TRUMP

“It is painful to know that the needle has not moved one iota,” he says. “For 36 years we’ve had a national holiday honoring your birthday and principles, but you would not believe the lack of progress. It makes me physically sick. I am sick that politicians try and find an easy solution to a 400-year problem. I am sick of some people using God for a convenience rather than a commitment.

I am sick of lies and deceit that dominate our reality. I am sick that truth is struggling to be heard and defended.”

Wonder also explained that the only way forward is to start holding government officials accountable for lies. He further called on the incoming administration to launch an investigation into inequality and recommend punishments where appropriate.

“We need a truth commission that forces this country to look at its lies. I’m calling on President Biden and Vice President Harris to launch a formal government investigation to establish the truth of inequality in this country,” he said. “This truth will validate the history and this commission will recommend reconciliation.

Without truth, we cannot have accountability. Without accountability, we cannot have forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we cannot heal.”

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CHARTER SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE A FREE REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Visit our website at www.charterschoolofeducationalexcellence.org to download the application Kindergarten to 9th Grade

We welcome English Language Learners and Special Education Students

260 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10701 914-476-5070 Designated as a REWARD SCHOOL FOR 2014-2018 by the New York State Department of Education

We are accepting new student applications for Grades K-9

Estamos aceptando solicitudes para los grados K-9

INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS: November 18, 2020 9:00am December 9, 2020 2:00pm January 6, 2021 9:00am January 27, 2021 4:30pm February 10, 2021 4:30pm March 3, 2021 9:00am March 17, 2021 5:00pm

SESIONES INFORMATIVAS: noviembre 18, 2020 a las 9:00 am diciembre 9, 2020 a las 2:00 pm enero 6, 2021 a las 9:00 am enero 27, 2021 a las 4:30 pm febrero 10, 2021 a las 4:30 pm marzo 3, 2021 a las 9:00 am marzo 17, 2021e a las 5:00 pm

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Fecha límite para entregar las solicitudes es marzo 29, 2021 a las 4:00 pm El sorteo de lotería se llevará a cabo en abril 7, 2021 a las 9:00 am

For an application or more information please call 914-476-5070 Ext. 4

Para obtener informacion llame al 914-476-5070 Ext. 4

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BW’S 2020 PERSON OF THE YEAR

JANUARY 15, 2021

COVER STORIES BW COVER STORY

AFTER HAVING AN ELECTION SNATCHED FROM HER IN 2018, STACEY

ABRAMS SNATCHED THE WHOLE STATE FOR DEMS IN RETURN

BY AJ WOODSON They thought they took her out Thought she had nothing left But she came back like she was avenging her brother’s death

Stacey Abrams, former candidate for Georgia Governor, activist and voting rights advocate is greatly responsible for flipping Georgia Blue. She is a large reason the Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris ticket won the state of Georgia. Instead of celebrating she knew she had to continue the fight and rallied Dems in the state of Georgia and help deliver the Senate to Biden by igniting voters to come out again in the run off election.

At Democrats’ election-eve rally Biden pronouced “nobody in America has done more” for voting rights and the party.

“Stacey, you’re changing Georgia,” Biden said. “You’ve changed America.”

Talk about Failing Forward, One of my favorite books is Failing Forward by John Maxwell. In the book Maxwell says that people who want to fail forward need to be able to turn their attention away from themselves and towards others. “Many people who struggle with chronic failure do so because they think of no one but themselves,” Maxwell says. He points to the words of Calvin Coolidge, who said, “No enterprise can exist for itself alone.

Stacey Abrams did not just think of herself, she turned her attention to helping the Democratic Party turn the state of Georgia from Red to Blue. Actually maybe Purple – now that its up for grabs and will now be a battleground state both parties will fight hard for – but she has the chance to truly make The Peach State, truly Blue by running and winning a rematch with Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022. Her efforts leaves her as perhaps the nation’s most popular, influential Democrat not in elected office.

But if she decides to run, win or lose, Stacey Abrams is already a winner for how instrumental she was in the election of 2020. She is credited for attracting thousands of new voters (especially African-American voters) to register or re-register for those perched in 2018 and then galvanized voters of color and progressive white voters to come out to the polls. She helped fight against the intuitional and systematic racism in the form of voter suppression. Voter suppression is as Georgian as the Peach, the Big Chicken, Vidalia onions, the Falcons, Braves and Hawks, just to name a few of the things Georgia is known for. Its has also became known as a RED STATE until Stacey Abrams and others helped changed that.

George Wallace in an election that marked the last time a third-party candidate received any electoral votes.

Georgia has been reliably Republican since 1972, except when a southern Democrat was on the ticket – Georgians sided with native son Jimmy Carter in 1976 and 1980 and then Bill Clinton in 1992. In 2004, George Bush easily defeated John Kerry by 58% to 41%. Republican margins have been more narrow since then, as the state’s rapidly growing population led to some shifts in overall demographics.

Even Barack Obama, the first African-American President could not win in Georgia, even with a record turnout.

Republican John McCain was able to keep Georgia in the GOP column in 2008, despite the large African-American turnout that kept the margin of victory within single digits. With its 15 electoral votes, Georgia was the second-largest prize for McCain against Obama in 2008 (behind only Texas). Obama would lose in Georgia again in 2012, when he lost to Mitt Romney 53.40% – 45.44% by 308,460 votes. In 2016, Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by only about 5%.

But in 2020, thanks to Stacey Abrams and others laying the organizational groundwork, Trump would be the first sitting president to fail to win re-election in nearly three decades. The last time an incumbent president did not succeed in winning a second four-year term was when George H.W. Bush was defeated by Bill Clinton in 1992. Clinton was the last Democrat to win the state of Georgia.

Time magazine named Biden and Harris 2020’s Person of the Year. The two made history on November 7th when they beat Donald Trump in a bitter election that put him in a small club of presidents who served only one term. I started to think if Black Westchester was to select a 2020 Person Of The Year, it would have to be Stacey Abrams. Her efforts not only helped Biden and Harris make history, but helped Dems capture the state’s two Senate seats. Those victories propelled the party into the Senate majority. While it probably should be someone from Westchester, I couldn’t think of another person who had such a profound impact, She helped change the political climate in 2020. Speaking up against voter suppression and helping to encouraging the the largest voter turnout of voters of color in history, even bigger than the Obama turnout. She became the face for the fight against voter suppression nationwide.

Sometimes referred to as the Empire State of the South, Georgia, one of the original 13 colonies, entered the Union in January 1788. The state has participated in every presidential election except 1864 (due to secession). From 1868 thru 1960, the state was as “blue” as can be, voting Democratic in every election. Like many other southern states, its residents were conservative Democrats that went “red” in 1964 in response to unhappiness over the Civil Rights Act, which was effectively exploited by the Republicans in a tactic called the “southern strategy.” In 1968, Georgia voted for Independent

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And then her follow-through in the Georgia Senate Run-Off on January 5, 2021, because Georgia wasn’t just on the late great Ray Charles’ mind, Georgia was on everyone’s mind on both side of the aisle.

Then Democrat Raphael Warnock won one of Georgia’s two Senate runoffs Wednesday, becoming the first Black senator in his state’s history and putting the Senate majority within the Democrats’ reach. The January 5th Run-Off Election mark the formal finale to the turbulent 2020 election season more than two months after the rest of the nation finished voting. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nation’s premier battlegrounds for the final days of Trump’s presidency — and likely beyond.

Rev. Warnock’s victory brought an end to the 24-year losing streak for Democratic Party senate candidates in the state. He is the fifth and the youngest person to serve as Ebenezer Baptist Church’s senior pastor since its founding. Yes the church known for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of its former senior pastors.

Warnock has stated that he will continue in the post while serving in the senate.

Rev. Warnock was the pastor of the late John Lewis who he credits as an example that should be followed “in this dark moment in America.”

With Democrats on the cusp of winning control of the U.S. Senate, one woman is again being lauded—Stacey Abrams.

Abrams has been on a years-long mission to tackle voter suppression in the state, initially working to register Georgia voters with her New Georgia Project and then with Fair Fight, the voting rights organization she founded after narrowly losing her bid to become Georgia’s first Black governor in 2018. Her efforts were widely credited for Georgia flipping Democrat in the 2020 election.

Now, Democratic challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock has defeated GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Tuesday’s special Senate election to become the first AfricanAmerican senator in Georgia’s history.

Then it was official, Jon Ossoff unseated incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue in the second of two runoff elections in Georgia. Making Ossoff, who is 33, the first millennial to be elected to the Senate and the youngest Democratic Senator-elect since President-elect Joe Biden in 1973. Biden, now 78, won his first Senate seat in Delaware at the age of 30. Ossoff made history of his own becoming the first Jewish person elected to the Senate from Georgia.

While we are talking about history, with Warnock and Ossoff’s victories led to Chuck Schumer becoming both the first Jewish Senate Majority Leader and first Senate Majority Leader from New York. This can all be thanks to the hard work of Stacey Abrams who had the Governor race snatched from her in 2018 and snatched the whole damn state back for the Democrats. All eyes were on Georgia and the Jan. 5th Run-Off Election that gave the Dems control over the Senate.

Former President Barack Obama called Georgia “a testament to the tireless and often unheralded work of grassroots organizing” and credited Abrams with “resilient, visionary leadership.”

Georgia’s shift in 2020 is a reflection of her willingness to see a new coalition in Democratic politics and to fight even her party’s old guard in the process.

“As a young Black girl growing up in Mississippi,” Abrams said. “I learned that if I didn’t speak up for myself, no one else would,” Abrams shared on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Black Westchester salute Stacey Abrams as our 2020 Person Of The Year!

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CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

JANUARY 15, 2021

FOR SOME AMERICANS, KNEELING IS MORE DISRESPECTFUL THAN INSURRECTION

BY REHAN SABRI

While Jacob Blake’s shooter, Breonna Taylor’s

assassin, and many of the Trump insurrectionists who laid siege to the United States Capitol — all get to roam the streets freely; Colin Kaepernick has been on the street, unemployed, for the last three years. 1, 415 days and counting…

That is exactly how long it has been since Kaepernick was last on an NFL roster.

In 2017, the former Superbowl starting quarterback was banished by the NFL for an act of peaceful discourse: taking a non-violent knee during the pre-game playing of the national anthem to raise awareness towards police brutality and racial injustice.

During this period, we have also seen sports analysts–like former ESPN talk show host Jemele Hill–be reprimanded by their employer for vocalizing advocacy of social justice in sports.

“No politics in sports.”

That was the unequivocal stance enforced by many sports companies while ‘Colin Kaepernick kneeling’ headlines galvanized the nation.

A headline that even caught the attention of the President of the United States, Donald J Trump.

“Get that son of a b*tch off the field, right now!” — his response.

Players kneeling during the anthem quickly became a hot button issue in America.

But then that all suddenly changed in 2020.

On Memorial Day of that year, an 8 minute and 46-second phone recording, from Minneapolis, was revealed to the public.

The world watched on as a 46-year-old Black man laid handcuffed, face down on the cement, hysterical and desperate — screaming for his late mom and the mercy of his life — as a white police officer kept a knee on his neck, slowly and publicly, lynching him in broad daylight.

And now 8 months later since that fateful day — those traumatizing screams — by the late George Floyd can still be heard today — as they rest heavily on the hearts and minds of Black households across this nation.

His death immediately came to some as a shock — igniting people nationwide to finally start accepting the hard truths of anti-Blackness and police brutality in America.

For the Black community, however, Floyd’s death was only a snapshot of the experience facing many Black men and women across the country.

His story adds to the inter-generational trauma for Black families, but it does not create it.

Floyd’s encounter that day with police was not some outlier or one-off, it has been an experience—shared, but never remedied, in America.

Over time, American police titles have changed—descended from sheriff to overseer to paddy roller to slave patrolmen — but as the badges have changed, America’s longstanding policing problem has always continued.

“To be Black and relatively conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.” — James Baldwin Black parents already know too well of the dangers that exist for their sons and daughters whenever they leave the safety of their own home.

And for some, like Breonna Taylor, the safety of their home is still not good enough. Her story proves that you can literally be at home — asleep, and yet, still lose your life to police brutality.

And that is why mothers and fathers of Black children are forced to carry the incredible burden that requires them to infinitely stay informed and cognizant of the America that they live in.

It is also why Black parents are forced to sit down with their young children and teach them about systemic racism and what it exactly means to be Black in America.

It is known in many Black households as — “the talk.”

An uncomfortable conversation about the very real dangers presented to Black men and women in a country that is still very much recovering from its racist pasts — one that is dominated by slave owners and segregationists who once governed the land.

“It’s a conversation that kills me inside — one that I never been more nervous to have — and look — I’ve given public speeches before to crowds of the thousands, but this speech, this conversation in my 12-year-old son’s bedroom was by far the hardest one that I ever had to give. But at the same time, I knew I needed to be strong and have it. I don’t ever want there to be a day when I log onto Twitter or Facebook and see that my son has become the next trending hashtag.” — Jennifer Simone, Westchester resident, and mother of three Black boys.

Jennifer and many Black parents use the conversation as a time to tool their children with a laundry list of ways to act if they are ever stopped by the

police — from not putting their hands in their pockets to obliging with whatever the officer asks, and most importantly, always remembering to remain calm.

It is simply a conversation that a white family never needs to have — out of fear or out of safety — for their child.

As white insurrectionists ransacked the US Capital, this past Wednesday, with little to no resistance by police — a far cry away from the heavily armed national guard that once forcefully safeguarded the Capitol during the Black Lives Matter protests — we were once again reminded why this conversation must happen.

Black Americans are simply disproportionately targeted by the police.

Take a look at the events of this past year — a year in which we saw a global pandemic make the whole world stop, but yet, racism was the one thing that persisted.

The stories of Ahmaud Arbery, Christian Cooper, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake — and so many others, prove for Black families — no matter what you do, no matter how much money you have, no matter what job or degree you attain — you can be an EMT or a Harvard graduate — there will be someone out there that will hate you only because of your complexion.

And that is why it has been so egregious for the NFL to ever ask for Kaepernick’s silence.

Kaepernick was the one who was trying to preemptively give stories — ones similar to what happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor — a public platform. In hopes of raising enough awareness to prevent their deaths from ever even happening.

Today, 16.5 million Americans — on average — watch football. And the ‘Sunday Night Football’ broadcast currently reigns as the single mostwatched Television show in the country.

A powerful platform to surrender.

For Kaepernick, opting to use that very platform and take a knee — to promote social justice awareness, in turn, enables him to reach the living rooms of millions of Black and Brown households throughout America.

A reach that can inspire this country’s next generation of great activists and social justice leaders.

A study launched in 2017, “The Black Voter Project,” concluded that Kaepernick’s kneeling and activism had inspired thousands of Black Americans to get involved in community politics and social justice initiatives. Many of the respondents from the study concluded that it was Kaepernick’s underlying message that had pushed them to go to the polls and vote in local, state, and national elections — many of them for the first time.

But today, Kaepernick is no longer afforded a national stage to deliver that message.

And why? Well for starters, some argue that seeing him take a knee during the playing of the national anthem makes them feel “uncomfortable.” (con’t on page 21)

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About Black Westchester: BlackWestchester.com is a magazine (website) and print newspaper for people of color for Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York at every economic level. Black Westchester is committed to being a platform to profile life, culture, economics, politics, sports and entertainment and those who are representing vision in these marketplaces and who can both encourage and provide role models to other men and women. Black Westchester, through its online magazine, print newspaper, weekly talk radio show, and editorial content, will be a vessel of community information throughout Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York. Our mission is to promote the concept of “community” through media.

The Black Westchester Newspaper is a monthly newspaper, 10,000 distributed monthly throughout Westchester and Surrounding areas with a heavy concentration in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Elmsford, White Plains, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Tarrytown, NE Bronx, Harlem, Stamford, CT with a slightly smaller presence elsewhere in the county and surrounding areas.

Black Westchester is the best vehicle to reach communities of color throughout the county, but not limited to just communities of color, we have a large non-African-American readership as well.

Black Westchester and the People Before Politics Radio Show started in July and August of 2014 respectively and the print edition started on our three year anniversary in August 2017. In such a small amount of time, Black Westchester has heavily influenced the county, public policy, and the elected officials while informing the public in a way that was missing, filling a necessary void.

Larger news outlets such as The Journal News (Lohud), News 12 Westchester and Fios1 News, The New York Post, ABC News and others also follow us and have quoted us for breaking stories that they, in turn, did follow up stories on.

Black Westchester is the voice of the voiceless and has covered many stories that other news outlets often overlooked and in turn followed our lead and reported later.

Black Enterprise Magazine reported, “Black buying power currently stands at over $1.1 Trillion dollars annually and is on the road to hit about $1.5 Trillion by 2021. These figures have also been documented by the Huffington Post, The Atlantic, MediaPost.com, Fortune Magazine, and many other respected media outlets. This collective buying power means that nearly $2 Trillion dollars will be flowing through Black American annually very soon, making us a centerpiece for various researchers, marketers, advertisers and other campaigns designed to influence black spending patterns.

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POLITICALLY SPEAKING

JANUARY 15, 2021

THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY HAS BIRTHED A PROGRESSIVE

PROTEST MOVEMENT NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN THISBY COUNTRY AJ WOODSON One of the many thing Donald Trump will be remembered for as president is how his mere presence in the White House have provoked protests, marches and monumental movements. He actually provoke several protests on the campaign trail before being elected. But as President this country saw some of biggest protests since the Civil Rights Era and protests against the Vietnam War. A few will go down as the biggest protests movements in the history of this country. His presidency awoke something in Americas.

Not just in African-American, not even in just Democrats but from people in every shade and color, genre, religious belief or political persuasion. He just universally provoke people to protest, his actions, his executive orders and his mere presidency.

From the first full day of the Trump Presidency, Saturday, January 21, 2017, to the aftermath or the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, until the last day of early voting, Monday, November 2, 2020 – where just under 100 million Americas stood on unprecedented lines to cast their ballot – a significant portion of the population has been provoked to protest, “at a scale that has been seen rarely in our past and that

has historically had the power to bring social and political change so eruptive and transformative that those in power will do anything to quell it,” thecut.com wrote in an article, ‘The Birth Of Progressive Protest Movement Under Trump, October 26, 2020.

The Trump Presidency has also given birth to the Woke-taunters, mostly rightwing media and members his personal cult who attacked and claimed the Woke protesters weren’t progressive, but domestic terrorists. There are potential protest planned if Trump refuses to accept the results of the election, attempts to stop the vote count or engages in any other nefarious schemes to remain in power. There are already calls for Americans to be prepared to act immediately.

America witnessed it’s largest one-day protest in its history with The Women’s March, in a kind of counterinauguration, one day after President Trump took office.

The main protest was in Washington, D.C., and is known as the Women’s March on Washington with many other marches taking place worldwide. The Washington March was streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter and drew over 470,000 women in pink hats. Between 3,267,134 and 5,246,670 people participated in the marches in the U.S., approximately 1.0 to 1.6 percent of the U.S. population. Worldwide participation has been estimated at over seven million. At least 408 marches were reported to have been planned in the U.S. and 168 in 81 other countries.

Eight days later, starting Saturday, January 28, 2017 protesters came out across the country to rally against Trump’s executive order issued to block Syrian refugees and travelers from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. During protests against Executive Order 13769, thousands of people gathered at various American airports and airports around the world to prevent the returning of refugees and other visitors from seven countries considered unsafe. More than two thousand people were at the protest at John F. Kennedy International Airport with other protests appearing at significant international airports and other important sites around the United States. Protests continued daily and internationally through February 6th. Protests also continued after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against parts of the travel ban. In New York City, two incredible markers of America’s immigrant roots, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, provided a fitting background for protesters gathered in Manhattan’s Battery Park. About 10,000 demonstrators were present, some carrying signs reading, “Refugees welcome here,” and “No hate, no fear.”

On February 16, 2017 – A Day Without Immigrants took place around the United States where immigrants stayed home from school, work and did not spend money in order to show their impact on society. The protest was in response to the Trump administration’s stance on immigration and increased federal raids.

Four days later there was the, Not My President’s Day, a series of rallies against Trump held on Washington’s Birthday also known as Presidents’ Day), February 20, 2017. While people typically see Presidents Day as a chance to honor great leaders or enjoy a three-day weekend, a month he was in office, thousands of people marked the holiday by protesting Trump. Protests were held in more than two dozen cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Denver

and Washington, D.C. Demonstrations were also held outside London’s Houses of Parliament, and in Orkney. Los Angeles was the first city to plan a “Not My Presidents Day” rally, which was attended by more than a thousand protesters. New York City saw the largest demonstration, with an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 people attending a rally outside Trump International Hotel and Tower. The events were mostly peaceful, although thirteen people were arrested in Portland, Oregon. Organizers of the protest stated that although Trump was the president, they wanted to show that he did not represent their values. Many held colorful signs that defended refugees, condemned the president’s Cabinet picks, and called for his impeachment. Families and individuals of all ages chanted “Not my president!” and “Black lives matter!”

These are just a sample of the dozens or so of Anti-Trump protests and we just gave you a glimpse of his first 30 days in office. There were many more protests during Trump’s first 30 days than President Obama’s eight years in office. There isn’t even space, nor do we have enough time to do a true timeline of every single individual protest during the Trump Presidency, but the aforementioned was just enough to paint the picture and make my case.

The summary execution of George Floyd literally set the world on fire.

“Say his name.” “I can’t breathe.” “Black Lives Matter” were some of what was shouted by protesters wondering what it takes for charges to be filed against the four police officers who killed an unarmed, handcuffed black man. Another black life lost on Livestream at the hands of law enforcement.

From NYC to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Memphis, Chicago, Albuquerque, Columbus, Ohio, St. Paul and Minneapolis, just to name a few, protesters were expressing their frustrations and making their voices heard nationwide. There was something different this time, something more purposeful. Protestors set a police station on fire after clashing with officers outside as demonstrations escalated for a third night after Mr. Floyd’s death. Rallies were also held in every major city in all 50 states, and in over 20 countries. The state of Kentucky and surrounding areas demanded justice for the killing of Breonna Taylor and the video surfaced Ahmaud Arbery who was hunted and killed like an animal for sport. But it was the world watching the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of Officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on the neck of George Floyd that was the last straw.

What followed was the biggest protest in my life, bigger than the civil rights era, bigger than the protest in opposition to the Vietnam War. The Black Community was collectively saying get your knee off our neck and every other group of people came out in support and demand of criminal justice reform. While this could have happened under any presidency, it was Trump’s handling of the situation and lack of empathy and compassion the fueled the fire. Then he double down and sent in the National Guard and his private military, even when Mayors asked him not to, which only escalated the situation.

Not all protest came in the way or rally and marches in the streets. Under the Trump Presidency we even experience a protest by athletes the shut down the NBA Basketball Playoffs and went to inspire a complete shut down of sport world which was trying to recover from the shutdown of COVID-19. Multiple players in the NBA bubble have discussed sitting out games and even leaving Florida after the police shooting of Jacob Blake, was shot seven times in the back by police on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisc., about 40 miles south of Milwaukee, as he attempted to enter his vehicle where his three children were inside. The Milwaukee Bucks boycotted game 5 of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic. Houston Rockets, Oklahoma Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers and the Portland Trailblazers join the boycott.

Shortly after the beginning of the show, Kenny Smith, Inside the NBA host, just walked off the set, out of the NBA on TNT set in solidarity with the NBA players and their protest against police brutality: “As a black man, as a former player, I think it’s best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight.”

The boycott has forced the national basketball association to reschedule the playoffs. These boycotts have prompted a wave of walkouts across multiple sports in America. Within hours of the bucks boycott, the WNBA, five major league soccer games and, three Major League Baseball games were called off. This was the biggest collective protest in sports history.

When the president called for a slowing down of the postal service in an effort of voters suppression in anticipation of all the Democrats expected to mailing ballots, just under 100 million people took their protest all the way to the ballot box. Standing on historically long lines up to ten and twelve hours in some cities to make sure their votes would be counted. There were long lines an many major cities around the country all the way up to Monday, November 2nd the day before the election. The Trump Presidency has birthed a progressive protest movement never seen before.

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JANUARY 15, 2021

MORE BW NEWS

BLACK WESTCHESTER

21

CHARMANE WONG - AMERICAN DREAM REALIZED

BY AJ WOODSON

For anyone looking at her life today, Charmane Wong represents the true American Dream. Arriving in this country from Jamaica as a teenager, she was asunder in a foreign world with little to anchor her except her family. And even they had little to offer as they too were navigating a new landscape of jobs, housing, education, and urban living. Life in the Bronx, NY was insular and isolating – she went to school and came back to homework and housework every day.

Her mother Yvonne, a nurse, worked long and tiring hours; her father John was in Jamaica managing the family farm with her two brothers. Charmane and her sister Joan were basically alone in this vast and unfamiliar setting: their only instruction and obligation being to study hard and get a good education. It didn’t help that that to many at Harry S. Truman High School their name conjured up an unknown world halfway around the world; and their appearance didn’t match that construct.

The product of Chinese and Black parents, the sisters also own white ancestors somewhere in their lineage – so their exotic faces and Patois speech made them stand out as different and alien. As such, Charmane was determined to prove herself worthy of her many different heritages.

Graduating with honors from high school, Charmane surged through Syracuse University, earning a Chancellor Citation Honor as she completed her bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She jumped directly from there into attaining her JD at West Virginia University of Law. That accomplishment alone qualifies as the American Dream, but she didn’t stop there. First she joined Bronx Legal Services and directed their Youth Advocacy Project. This led to her lifelong vocation to help serve as a voice for voiceless children. Indeed, what followed was a trail of career moves that shows Charmane’s commitment to this cause.

Her resume includes stints at some of the largest and most well-known family and child services organizations within the Greater New York Area. She has served as staff or as a volunteer in this field at every juncture of her life. Currently, Charmane is Director of Human Resources at Birch Family Services, where she’s been for about five years. Before that, she spent over ten years at Graham Windham as Vice President. She says, “I have met great people, and have done meaningful work in the areas that I am passionate about”. And she just doesn’t talk the talk, she walks the walk – Charmane and her husband, Paul Dunn (also a family and child services career professional), are the proud adopted parents of son, Jacob whom they adopted 20 years ago as an infant, in addition to their biological daughter.

Today, Charmane is a proud emblem of the Jamaican Diaspora in this country, a life rich in culture and creature comforts, a vibrant career, a loving and compassionate family, real estate in Westchester County, and a vacation home in North Carolina are all tributes to her having assimilated seemingly seamlessly into the American Dream. She has worked hard and tirelessly and her accomplishments make her proud, but also made her look back toward her homeland. She doesn’t regret being brought here as a teenager without personal agency, and hopes her legacy in this country is to be known “as someone who has championed the rights of the poor and immigrants, a champion of children, justice for all, and one who works to secure housing for the homeless and victims of domestic violence”.

In keeping with this, Charmane is a founding board member of a new nonprofit, Winsome Wishes For Kids (WWKids). When WWKids’ President, her friend and fellow-Jamaican Simone Fisher invited her to be part of this fledgling endeavor, Charmane didn’t hesitate. Its mission, to provide equity in the classroom for children

with diverse issues that affect their learning, resonated with her. She remembers the stellar education she received in Jamaica, but also realizes that its pace really didn’t accommodate any student who needed extra help. She is excited about WWKids, and serves as the trustee in charge of governance and legal matters. Thus far, she is delighted at the work they’ve done in the 8 months since inception.

She doesn’t take it lightly, and knows that her path, could have diverted drastically. She is grateful to have had the parental guidance and educational resources of her youth, but understands that not every child is as fortunate.

She believes that WWKids is a vehicle through which she can share her blessings and make life easier for the students, teachers and parents in Jamaica whose journey may not be buoyed by the same fortuitous circumstances as hers. Her message to any new immigrant to this country is one of hope, compassion and patriotic duality: Make use of the many opportunities of this great nation, work hard, be kind, and always remember where you come from – the diaspora is made better by our giving back to lift up the homeland from whence we come.

After gaining non-profit status and their 501C3 rating, the founding board members have quickly established a website, Winsome Wishes For Kids; started a GoFundMe Campaign; and embarked on partnerships with the esteemed New York City institute, https://www.thewindwardschool.org/the-windward-institute to provide programming and training for WWKids’ teachers. Meanwhile in Jamaica, their pilot programs include Vaz, Gideon and Lannaman. In spite of the Pandemic, WWKids has already sponsored several virtual training events, a “School Opening” wellness event, and has provided gifts, financial support and other resources to teachers and parents of these schools. In looking back at the past forty years, Charmane is quick to acknowledge that her success is a result of not only hard work, but of good fortune and divine mercy.

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KNEELING IS MORE DISRESPECTFUL THAN INSURRECTION (CON’T FROM PAGE 18) For them, their patriotism to America — devotion to the men and women who served in the military to protect it — fuels them to reject anybody who dares to criticize the land they so dearly love.

But how do we define “patriotism?” Does protesting an injustice that is happening in our country make you “unpatriotic?”

I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her …” — James Baldwin.

And where was the “patriotism” when those very Kaepernick critics proceeded to invade and loot one of the most prized gems of American architecture — the United States Capitol? Kaepernick, has also, been widely criticized for “disrespecting the flag.” But again, it was those same critics who lowered and disposed of an American flag — in favor of a politician.

And in one of America’s most sacred chambers of democracy — a confederate flag flew over the picture frames — overshadowing the very founding fathers who died to keep such a hateful flag from ever breaching the people’s house. But yet, they ferociously argued that Kaepernick “wasn’t going about his protest the right way.”

It seems that our country’s definition of the word “patriotism,” changes depending on who exactly we are addressing.

And that is why, for some Americans, taking a knee during the pregame ceremonies of a football game — to peacefully protest racial injustice — makes them feel more uncomfortable than committing treason and murder in the halls of our nation’s capital.

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22 BLACK WESTCHESTER

POLITICALLY SPEAKING

JANUARY 15, 2021

THREE CRISES BIDEN WILL INHERIT COME JANUARY 21ST:

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, RACIAL INEQUALITY, AND ECONOMIC DISPARITY IN OUR SCHOOLS BY DR. SILVIA M. LLOYD

During what should be a season of thanksgiving and celebration, coronavirus casualties continue to climb, schools are reclosing, and some Americans fear a vaccine under the Trump administration could do more harm than good.

On November 19th, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), announced that two vaccines may become available by the end of December 2020.

Moderna and Pfizer have completed trials with efficacious rates that are almost as high as the measles vaccine effective rate. Moderna’s vaccine is found to be 94.5 percent efficacious and Pfizer’s is found to be 95 percent efficacious, compare that to the measles 98 percent effective rate and it sounds as if the coronavirus vaccine will be safe.

Fauci was careful to use the word efficacious, as opposed to effective, to describe the coronavirus vaccine because it has only been tested in a clinical trial.

The word effective describes the ultimate impact on society, which can only be determined when people actually take the vaccine. Therefore, we know the measles vaccine to be effective; however, the coronavirus vaccine is only thought to be efficacious, at this point. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 42 percent of Americans will not take a coronavirus vaccine.

The problem is that, over the past four years, many Americans lost trust in a government that touts misinformation, disguises lies as the truth, and supports a leader who uses governmental powers for personal gain. According to former national security advisor John Bolton, Trump has no philosophy, no strategy, and no policies in place to ensure the national security of Americans. It is no surprise then, that under the Trump administration the United States leads the world with over 13 million COVID-cases, 264,000 American casualties as of today, and averages 1,000 deaths per day, more than any other advanced nation.

President-elect Joe Biden said that approximately 200,000 more American lives could be lost before a vaccine is reviewed and approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The most vulnerable Americans, hit the hardest by the coronavirus, continue to be ignored by the outgoing Trump administration, this includes Black and Latinx Americans, as well as those who live in poverty, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. All demographic groups that Trump does not prioritize in policies related to health care, immigration, and law enforcement.

In addition to at-risk students, there are those who are high-risk. These are the children who live in deep poverty. They usually come from a single-parent home and may have been exposed to gangs, drugs, alcohol, or gun violence.

They deal with issues that many educators are not aware of or have not been trained to properly address. One issue a child could be dealing with is, Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance, or TEI, which is stress inherited from a parent. Impoverished children could be born into situations so stressful that it is embedded into their DNA. Schools are not prepared to handle this phenomenon, and are only equipped to track and suspend these children when they do not comply with social norms. Another concern that high-risk children are dealing with is toxic stress, which is strong, frequent prolonged adversity in the home, seven days a week such as physical or emotional abuse or

Biden’s Strategy to Stop the Spread of the Coronavirus and End the Pandemic However, President-elect Joe Biden vows to make the most vulnerable Americans one of his top priorities in getting the virus under control. The Biden-Harris team has already formed a Coronavirus Transition Advisory Board to reduce the spread of the virus and to save lives. The advisory board is composed of experts in global health security and assures to make public health decisions based upon a “bedrock” of science, according to Biden.

The Biden-Harris administration is also establishing a COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force to address inequalities in the public health industry and an imbalance in the economic response amongst people of color. At the end of the pandemic, this task force will transfer into the Infectious Disease Racial Disparities Task Force.

Biden also pledges to immediately restore the White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, a board that Trump disbanded in 2018. Under the Biden presidency every American will receive rapid testing, free vaccinations and clear and concise guidance for sending kids to school during the pandemic. States, cities, and tribes will receive tests and supplies needed to function safely during the pandemic, and a mask mandate will be implemented along with restrictions on the size of gatherings. The National Guard will be deployed to help communities struggling to contain the coronavirus and a renewable fund will be established for state and local governments to support their teachers and first responders.

Biden has already announced appointments in national security and foreign relations and will soon name a treasury secretary. According to the Washington Post, Alejandro Mayorkas is set to be the first immigrant nominated to head the Department of Homeland Security; and Avril D. Haines is set to be the first woman nominated to be the director of national intelligence.

chronic neglect. Toxic stress is also experienced when a caregiver is dealing with substance abuse or mental illness. The child is dealing with these burdens without adequate support from an adult. In addition to this, high-risk children may also have to deal with intersectionality, which is a cross-section of a student’s social and political identities. They may be experiencing discrimination on a daily basis due to their gender, race, class, sexuality, religion, disability, or physical appearance.

When these issues are not properly addressed, a disconnect exists between schools and the communities they serve.

In 2001, this disconnect only deepened when the high stakes testing policy implemented under President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind education reform compounded the challenges faced by high-risk students. The irony is that those at-risk and high-risk are left behind on state tests because, thanks to this policy, a school’s success is now measured by whether or not they are making adequate yearly progress on the school’s report card. Students are placed in four categories on the school’s report card: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. However, only Level 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s are counted in the adequate progress formula.

A school gets no credit for Level 1 students. When a high-risk, Level 1 student is not counted, educators and administrators are not expected to devote time and resources toward these children. They are basically invisible.

Principals are tasked with bringing their high Level 1’s up to a Level 2 and their 2’s up to a 3, and their 3’s up to a Level 4. Therefore, the low Level 1’s who are dealing with a range of issues and are often absent from school, are left out of the equation, despite needing the most intervention to mitigate their academic and social delays.

For decades it has been known that the United States government determines the number of prisons to build based upon the third and fourth grade reading scores of the lowest achieving children. However, instead of spending money on building prisons, the incoming secretary of education would do well to fix the current funding formula to address the racial and economic disparities that perpetuates the haves and the have-nots.

The current formula for dispersing funding to schools with the highest number of at-risk students continues to be disproportionate. It only takes a drive down the street to notice the disparities between a suburban public school and a city public school. Families that cannot afford to live in the suburbs are forced to send their kids to a school with substandard building facilities and may even lack the latest, scientifically based learning programs and materials. It is legal segregation based upon geographic location and economic inequality.

The new secretary of education under the Biden administration can address these systemic gaps in the educational system and bring balance to the racial and economic disparities that exist by allocating resources toward programs and services that are tested and proven to be effective in closing the achievement gap and providing robust opportunities to advance learning in schools where the majority of students are poor, Black, and at-risk of being left behind.

Crisis Exposed in Education During the presidential debates, education was not discussed. Which begs the question, does Biden have a strategy in place to end the pre-existing racial and economic inequality in our schools that has been exposed during the pandemic?

Educators are eager to learn who Biden will nominate as the 12th secretary of education for the United States of America. Considering the current state of crisis in the American educational system, it is crucial that the nominee be someone who is experienced with working with children who are the victims of oppression and who are born into poverty. These groups have been marginalized for decades in the educational system and are nearly invisible in the curriculum. There is also an imbalance in the teaching force due to the disproportionate amount of teachers who enter the teaching field; currently, 80 percent of teachers who teach Black and brown students are white, middle class suburbanites who may not understand the unique challenges many children face who live in poverty, many of which lack a support system at home, lack additional resources and tutoring, and often lack a quiet, safe space to engage in learning. During the school closures, many also lacked appropriate electronic devices to participate in distance learning and therefore fell further behind their affluent peers, placing them at-risk of reading failure.

Dr. Silvia M. Lloyd CEO of S. L. Public Relations | Edulution Co-Founder | Edusight Media | Author | Crisis Management Consultant | Speaker | Program Developer | Curriculum Writer | The Black Experience Researcher | Abolitionist

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JANUARY 15, 2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BLACK WESTCHESTER 23

ADJUSTING YOUR DIABETIC DIET FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

BY BRIAN HARROD

Birthday parties, Aniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more are holidays and special occasions that are centered on food.

For most people these are times to anticipate the celebration and the eating. For a diabetic it can be a stressful time, you want to partake in all of the good food too but most times it is not made with a diabetic in mind.

If the frequency of these events is not too often, you can adjust your diet for special occasions so you too can have some of the treats available.

The hardest part about preparing for a special occasion is if you do not know what is going to be served.

If this is the case, a quick call to your host or hostess can be made.

Most people will not mind you asking especially if you have dietary needs that need to be taken into consideration. Once you do know what is being served, plan your meals for that day accordingly.

You may want to have fewer carbohydrates with your breakfast and snack to make up for the extra ones you will have at a birthday party where pizza is being served.

Another option for special occasions is to offer to bring a dish for everyone to share.

Make it something that you enjoy as a treat but still follows the guidelines for your diabetic diet.

For family favorites and traditions, be creative and look for ways to make the same dishes with less fat or sugar.

You can do this by substituting regular sugar for sugar substitutes or choose whole wheat flour instead of white for the extra fiber content.

During the holidays and other occasions, closely monitor your blood sugars. Even with extra care, the change in your diet can still result in a blood sugar that is too high or low.

By B Media Network Health Columnist Brian Harrod. Brian Harrod is also the publisher and editor of the RoundupNewswires.com, as well as, the hyperl ocal YonkersNewswire.com news and social media pages. You can learn more about Mr. Harrod at BrianHarrod.com.

THE WAY TO WELLNESS

BY LASHAWN “SUGA RAY” MARSTON

YOU MAY BE THINKING, “IT’S EASIER SAID THAN DONE”, BUT ONCE YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BEING HEALTHY, YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW EASY BEING HEALTHY BECOMES. When many people think of wellness, or being healthy, they think of dieting, or strenuous exercise, or pills and/or having to do a whole bunch of stuff required by a whole bunch of people. Some people get intimidated with even the thought of being healthy. The truth is, although there are general rules to wellness, because everyone is different, everyone’s journey to wellness will be different, and that’s ok. Wellness is our natural state.

What is unnatural is the amount of people and the rate at which said people are experiencing and dying from preventable and reversible dis-eases. In America, in the last 100 years, as a people we have gotten away from the ways of old. We used to walk everywhere and make natural herbal remedies when ill. Also, when someone was ill, the people in the community would all send positive thoughts (prayers) of healing, comfort and strength. In ancient times, people knew that physical wealth was in large part determined by mental and emotional health, meaning; if one thought positive and kept an upbeat spirit, had an optimistic outlook on their lives and life in general, they would be less likely to experience any of the major illnesses such as high blood pressure, hypertension, stress and cancer.

In 2014 going into 2015, in the age of information, the age of technology, we are sicker than ever. There is a vast amount of information, literally at our fingertips, on how to not only reverse illness, but prevent it altogether. We have gotten lackadaisical with even the basic exercises like walking and stretching. We’re too busy. We’re in a rush to do everything. We don’t get enough rest. And on top of that, the foods we have been eating either isn’t real food, but food like products, or it’s saturated with additives and chemicals that were never meant for human consumption. We have dug a nice ditch for ourselves, and not only are we are too busy to notice we’re falling in, but we’re too busy to even realize we’ve dug a ditch in the first place.

Although we find ourselves in a peculiar situation as it relates to our health, the good news is that we can make advancements and turn it all around. Some say, “it’s easier said than done”, and that’s understood, but I want to let all of you know that once you make a commitment to being healthy, it’s amazing how easy being healthy becomes.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO GET YOU ON YOUR WAY TO WELLNESS; ● When waking up in the morning, take a breath, process it, then release. Do this a few times. Then, set your intention for the day. Say a prayer or do a meditation, creating the day for yourself. ● Stretch when getting out of bed. (Stretching loosens your muscles, which loosens your tissues, which help your cells and nerves function properly) ● Drink warm water, preferably with lemon. (Warm water helps activate the internal organs and drinking lemon juice is a form of detox/cleansing) ● Eat less meat and dairy products (meat and dairy products cause mucus to form around the cells which creates constipation, which many holistic health practitioners say is the root cause of all dis-ease) ● Spend time gazing at the sun (sun gazing provides the mind and body with essential minerals & nutrients) ● Get some rest (rest is not simply sleep. Rest can mean sitting or laying down, reading, writing or simply lost in one’s own thoughts and is essential to not only our physical health, but our mental and emotional health as well.)

I just wanted to share a few tips I use myself as I embrace the reality of wellness. So again, to dispel the myth that being healthy takes a lot of work, as you can see from the tips above, the most work wellness demands is that one make the commitment. It really is that simple.

Ask yourselves a question; Do I want to be healthy and truly experience all of life’s beauty and bliss? If yes, then ask yourself; what’s stopping me?!

The world is yours beloveds and wellness is awaiting you!

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24 BLACK WESTCHESTER

CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL

JANUARY 15, 2021

OFF-DUTY COPS & FIREFIGHTERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WERE IN D.C. DURING CAPITOL COUP ATTEMPT

BY AJ WOODSON

A Washington, D.C., police officer says that the mob that raided the U.S. Capitol last week included “off duty police officers from all over the country” plus militia members, teachers, students, and people “from every walk of life.”

Several police departments across the country have opened investigations into cops among their ranks to find out if they were involved in the siege on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

The growing number of probes follows an announcement from the Seattle Police Department on Friday, January 8, that two of its officers have been put on administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations that they were in the nation’s capital as Congress met to certify the results of the Nov. 3rd presidential election.

As investigators seek to identify rioters, police departments in Virginia and Washington state have placed officers on leave as authorities examine whether they took part in unlawful acts while off-duty.

The New York Times reports that cops from Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire are now under similar scrutiny after social media posts placed them near the riots that took place at the Capitol.

But wait, there’s more, fire departments in Florida and New York City have also said they reported to federal authorities allegations that some of their members may have been present when the mob invaded the Capitol.

The police department in the small town of Rocky Mount, Virginia, said on Sunday it had placed two officers on administrative leave after it learned they attended an “event” in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday while off-duty.

The Grand Council of Guardians, National Latino Officers Association (NLOA) and the Vulcan Society sent a request to New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office requesting an immediate investigation of all Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters throughout New York State who engaged in “Anarchy & Sedition” in Washington DC.

“Law enforcement and firefighters who incited these acts of treason against the United States Capitol need to be held accountable,” Charles Billups, Chairman of the Grand Council of Guardians told Black Westchester.

Anthony Miranda, the Executive Director of NLOA stated, “there should be an independent investigation to ensure public confidence and complete transparency.”

There is already a lack of trust in law enforcement in Black and Brown communities, participation in the choas at the Capitol only further erodes the trust from minority communities who feel some officers are racists. And how can you trust firefighters to save your life if they have racist tendencies. A point that wasn’t lost on Delion Morgan, President of the Vulcan Society.

“Firefighters save lives and protect property,” Morgan stated.

“The actions of any firefighters who participated in the attacks that resulted in someone’s death should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The New York City Fire Department said it provided information to the FBI after receiving “anonymous allegations” that some of its members, active or retired, were present during the rioting in the nation’s capital.

The names of multiple members of the New York Fire Department have been turned over to the FBI based on reports that they were photographed at the riots, according to NBC New York.

This came after a photo surfaced on Twitter Friday of a person wearing clothing with the words “FDNY Squad 252” on the back. Squad 252 is based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. An FDNY spokesman said Sunday there was nothing additional to report

And in Florida the Sanford Fire Department said it placed one of its firefighters on administrative leave and was investigating after a photo and video emerged online that appeared to show him among the mob.

There was no surprised to the Black community to hear and see off-duty cops involved. Many we spoke to feel any law enforcement officers who participated in the domestic terrorists acts at the Capitol that left one officer dead and over 50 other officers injuried should be arrested, arraigned and convicted.

NYPD & FDNY are working with the FBI to see if any employees betrayed their nation

Atleast one NYPD cop has been accused of being among the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Monday. The officer is being investigated by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau but has not been charged.

“I can tell you anyone committing crimes certainly would have a very short shelf life with the NYPD,” Shea told NY1. “Like everyone else, I was disgusted by what I saw. That’s our country on full display and hopefully we never see anything like that again.”

The NYPD said it is reviewing video and working with authorities in Washington to determine if any of its officers participated in the Capitol riot.

While multiple reports claim off-duty officers were among the mob that stormed the Capitol. several Congressman have expressed concern that maybe the off-duty officers were assisted by members of the Capitol police who were complicit Pro-Trump supporters.

Black Westchester has not been able to confirm if any officers from Westchester County attended and were involved in the Pro-Trump riot. But the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association and the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney strongly condemned, ‘the violent assault on our nation’s Capitol on January 6 and stand united against hate,’ they announced in a joint statement, Monday.

“We also want the people of Westchester to know that law enforcement agencies across the county stand ready and willing to work closely with our federal law enforcement partners on investigations of the insurrection in Washington,” they wrote in the statement. “We send our condolences to the families of Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood and those who were injured trying to protect the Capitol and its inhabitants.”

Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick grew up a little more than 50 miles away from Westchester County in South River, new Jersey and most recently lived in Springfield, Virginia. The 42-year-old graduated from Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School in East Brunswick in 1997. He wrote numerous pieces about veterans and military affairs for the local Home News Tribune newspaper, which covers Middlesex County.

The U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. has opened a federal murder investigation into Sicknick’s death, three law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News.The investigation is currently being conducted jointly between the FBI and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, with cooperation from the U.S. Capitol police.

Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund who has resigned says more than 50 U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers were injured in the riot that took place on Wednesday. He says that several Capitol Police remained hospitalized with serious injuries. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, told reporters that one of the officers was in critical condition and many of the injured were hit in the head with lead pipes.

Rioters “actively attacked” Capitol police and other law enforcement officers Wednesday with metal pipes, discharged chemical irritants, and took up other weapons against our officers,’’ Sund said in a statement.

Washington DC Police Officer Cortney Craft wrote on her Facebook that the mob that raided the U.S. Capitol last week included “off duty police officers from all over the country.”

The Fact that Police Officers from other Agencies have aligned themselves with such terroristic groups further more shows how scary it is to be BLACK in America.

If these people can storm the Capitol Building With No regard to Punishment, You have to wonder how much they abuse their powers when they put on their uniforms. This is not up for debate again. I was on the front lines battling these Terrorists. They had the Audacity to show their badges and show their ID cards!! They weren’t trying to hide who they are because they know nothing will happen to them.

One thing is clear so far: there was a whole gang of people who earn tax-payer dollars among the horde of Trump supporters who travelled to D.C. to claim this country as theirs alone and violently attack democracy.

For all those who keep saying this not America, this is not American.

Not only are we are not surprised, we disagree. Sounds just like America to us.

Black and Brown Americans have been terrorized by law enforcement since they have been in America. It’s as American and Apple Pie. So now we are not surprised that some of them were involved in insurrection at the Capitol and

Musician, Singer, Songwriter, actor and political activist Tom Morello best known for his tenutre with Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave and Prophets Of Rage tweeted; Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses.

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JANUARY 15, 2021

BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM

BLACK WESTCHESTER

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