Mae Magazine June 2020

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 1

PUBLISHER

MAE MAGAZINE UnApologetically Black!

Our magazine is designed to ENGAGE, ENLIGHTEN and ENTERTAIN. Our topics will include any and everything that affects the melanin people living in America. It’s about our evolution and paying homage to our ancestors! It is time to stop being ashamed of our slavery history and instead, we will draw from their strength and learn of their greatness. We will also learn about Mother Africa and demand Reparations! We want our Forty Acres and a Check!

MAE MAGAZINE STAFF Lisa Caillouet Founder & Publisher Emma Young Senior Editor Derek Payne DPI Graphic Design Layout Contributing Writers Claudia M. Johnson MD Dr. Maria Glover-Wallace Chip Eberhart www.maemagazine.com

Welcome to Mae Magazine An African Proverb says, “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”

We, African American, daughters and sons of the Diaspora, are the lions – bold and beautiful. Mae Magazine is our storyteller.

The guiding principles of Mae Magazine are TRUTH, PRIDE & COURAGE. Whether we are giving facts or stating our opinion based on facts, truth will always reign. If we are doubtful about the 100% truth of any fact, we will not print nor publish it.

Truth & Pride go hand-in-hand. There is so much to be proud of among AfricanAmericans, and Africans, and AfricanCaribbean, and all Africans of the Diaspora and we will have the Courage to tell those truths.

We built more than the pyramids. We built the richest country in the world. We made America rich with her cotton and sugar exports cultivated through the free labor of our ancestors. Practically every American invention, every medical breakthrough was either invented by a Black person, or a Black person was somewhere in the mix.

Although injustice has been rampart in the United States since the beginning of its history, the past month has brought about an unprecedented number of police killings of unarmed Black men and women in a short period of time. Thus, the focus of our inaugural issue.

Our articles in this issue will focus on the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Dreashjon Reed and Ahmaud Arbery. Especially George Floyd and the amazing response to his murder – not just from the nation, but from the world.

This is also a political season, and we’ll honor the season with a political ad.

The two nominees for each party have pretty much been chosen and our writers don’t feel there is much to say about either one that has not already been said. But there is one candidate who we feel could have been America’s greatest president since FDR. So we’ll be writing about that

Lisa Caillouet Founder & Publisher Missed Opportunity.

The good news is Black is Beautiful.

You already know that, right? Well, we’re going to emphasize it even more by highlighting the four beauty queens that took the crown in every beauty pageant the U.S. held in 2019.

We won’t ignore coronavirus and Covid-19, the disease it causes, and our responsibility to our readers to keep you informed. . Well-respected Dr. Claudia Johnson will present our readers with a compelling article on how to manage PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

The main focus on this and every issue is us. Our Blackness, our beauty, our achievements, our challenges. When racism raises its ugly head, we will not shy away from speaking on it. . Every Black person who has lived for any length of time has probably encountered some racism. . How racist is it when one baby is the only baby that doesn’t get fed in a hospital nursery of newborn babies because the nursery staff was white. This is a true story. It happened in Henrotin Hospital in Chicago, Illinois several decades ago. I was that baby. I survived that racist cruelty and grew up to be the storyteller who will glorify the Lion. We – all of my Black brothers and sisters of the Diaspora – are the Lion. I hope my readers will enjoy every story and article in Mae Magazine.

Sincerely, Lisa Caillouet Founder & Publisher

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WHAT’S INSIDE PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT ON GEORGE FLOYD Pg2 AHMAUD ARBERY Pg4 BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL Pg6 BREONNA TAYLOR Pg8

COVER STORY Remembering

COVID-19 Donning and DoffingMore Than PPE Pg11

GEORGE FLOYD

The Impact of George Floyd’s Murder Pg21

THE PLAN: HOW WE FIGHT Pg22 DREASJON REED 24

Pg 14 SELF CARE 25 SAY THEIR NAMES 26

SPECIAL FEATURES Pg26 - 30 HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO MARK UP JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT ONE THING NEWSROOMS CAN DO: CAPITALIZE “B” WHEN REPORTING ABOUT THE BLACK

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AHMAUD ARBERY

JOGGING WHILE BLACK

By Emma Young On February 26, 2012 in the town of Sanford, Florida an innocent young man by the name of Trayvon Martin was walking down the street with his recently purchased Skittles and Arizona punch drink. That night, Trayvon was gunned down by George Zimmerman, claiming self-defense; claiming Trayvon looked suspicious. George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder charges.

Eight years later, on another February day, February 23 to be exact, in the Brunswick Georgia neighborhood of Satilla Shores, a predominately white

community like Sanfield, Ahmaud Arbery was doing something he loved.

Running. His dream was to become a professional athlete. And that day, Ahmaud’s dreams were shattered by a shotgun wielded by Travis McMichael, a former law enforcement individual’s son.

The father, Greg McMichael, who in some reports was said to be a former district attorney, and in others said to be a former investigator, claims he saw Arbery running and he looked “suspicious.”

McMichael like Zimmerman, claimed there had been a rash of break-ins in the

neighborhood and he suspected Arbery might have been the perpetrator.

But Greg and Travis McMichael became the judge and jury of Ahmaud’s fate. It didn’t matter to them what his purpose for running through their community was. It didn’t matter that he didn’t fit any description, because there had been no description of whoever was breaking into the homes. All that matter was that Ahmaud Arbery was a black man, running through his community – or “hauling ass” as he put it. When McMichael called 911 and the dispatcher

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AHMAUD ARBERY and told the dispatcher that he cited a suspicious person, the dispatcher asked “what is he doing?” McMichael’s reply: “running.”

Running as Ahmaud Arbery’s passion – all he wanted to do was run, play sports and work out. Working out and jogging are two peaceful and healthy activities that don’t harm anyone. But apparently, in Donald Trump’s America, even an activity as innocent as jogging can cause your life to be taken, if you happen to be African American.

Ahmand Arbery was twenty-five years old. Just six years out of his teens.

He had his whole future before him. He died three days before his twenty-sixth birthday, and three days before the anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s slaying. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That place now is anywhere in America. That time is anytime – night or day.

Maybe McMichael didn’t prosecute enough African Americans in his career to satisfy his racist appetite. Maybe he wanted to introduce his son, Travis, to the joy of killing a Black man. Perhaps seeing a Black man jogging caused his sick little mind to remember that this country he loved was once ruled by a Black man – for eight whole years. Recent information gives another scenario.

Someone reported a Black man entering a house under construction. Plenty more people had also, out of curiosity, perused

the home but Ahmaud was the only Black person to do so. Although the owner of the home under construction was aware and had no problem with it, apparently one of his neighbors did and phoned the vigilante trio – Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryant. . Recent evidence shows that Ahmaud was boxed in by two trucks, the one that McMichael was driving and the second truck driven

by Bryant. A witness stated that after McMichael shot Arbery, and as he lay dying, the witness hear McMichael say “f**cking n***r.” All three men have been charged with murder..

There is a sickness in this country, an illness exacerbated by the dog whistle speeches and tweets of a man who has no business being the 45th president of the United States. Trump said that he could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and kill someone and his supporters would still support him. That’s a problem. He is standing in the middle of the Rose Garden, tweeting in the middle of the morning, and his words are the weapons he uses to motivate the racist acts of his followers.

It’s not just the Greg McMichaels and the Travis McMichaels of the world who see a Black man alone in their America and decide that his life has no value. It’s the States Attorneys, the Investigators, the Senators and Representatives of Brunswick, Georgia who chose

See COVER STORY Pg16

to ignore this heinous crime for two and a half months, after a courageous radio station shared the video that showed the lie the McMichaels told as they gunned down the young jogger in cold blood.

Even after the truth could no longer be ignored, it continued to be ignored be ignored until there was enough of a public outcry. Two district attorneys have resigned since this incident. The new one promises to convene a grand jury in June. As Ahmaud’s father said, if the perpetrator had been a black man and the victim white, there would have been an immediate arrest.

So we have to question, what is the purpose of the grand jury? Is it to find justice, or, as in the case of previous grand juries in these kinds of cases, a way to find & label the case “justifiable homicide” or “self-defense,” and bury it along with the cases of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Gardner and countless others?

Ahmaud Arbery went out for a jog, expecting to return home. Expecting to continue living his life, sharing his dreams, working out and jogging.

Unless Greg McMichael and Travis McMichael are brought to justice for ending Ahmaud’s life, these crimes will continue and get worse. The world is watching Brunswick, Georgia to see if justice is done. 

Mae Magazine is a monthly publication which is electronically circulated via internet to over 100,000 individuals throughout Chicago, Illinois and the United States. Mae reserves the right to deny any or all advertisements that go against our standards.

We are by no means connected or affiliated with any advertisements. No part of any publication may be reproduced without written permission from the authors. The opinions and articles not written by Mae Magazine staff do not necessarily represent our views.

The content and opinions expressed within this publication are those of the author(s) and/or represented companies, and are not necessarily shared by Mae Magazine. The author(s) and/or represented companies are solely responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the content of this Press release. Mae Magazine reserves the right to reject a press release if, in the view of Mae Magazine, the content of the release is unsuitable for distribution.

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BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

I

n spite of the rampart racism that has reared its ugly head in America since the election of the 45th President of the US, the beauty inherent in Black women cannot be denied. This was evident in the selection of four women who won the coveted titles of Miss Universe, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Besides having their beautiful faces, bodies and minds verified as outstanding among other women in their categories, what else these four women have in common is that they are all Black. Although the fact of their beauty and intelligence is no surprise to us at Mae Magazine, and probably no surprise to the readers of our magazine, it just feels good to know that the whole world knows what we’ve been knowing all along. Black is Beautiful.

Other Black women have received these honors in previous years – but this is the first time that every woman in every category happened to be Black in the same year.

Meet the winners: Zozibini Tunzi, crowned Miss Universe, is a South African model and had previously been crowned Miss South Africa 2019. She is the third woman from South Africa to win the title and the first Black woman since Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011.

Prior to winning the title, Tunzi was completing a Bachelor of Technology graduate degree in public relations management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

The question given to Tunzi by the judges was “What is the most important

thing we should teach young girls today?”

Her eloquent answer was: “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It's something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don't want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity and that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space, nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself, thank you.”

Chelsie Kryst – Miss USA - had previously been crowned Miss North

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BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL Carolina USA 2019. She is the third woman from North Carolina to win Miss USA. Kryst is a licensed attorney, and an American television presenter, having served as a correspondent for Extra since October 2019.

The question given to Chelsie Kryst was “For the past two years, #MeToo and #TimesUp have dominated our national conversation. However, some believe it has only deepened the divide between men and women. Have these movements gone too far?”

Her Answer: “I don’t think these movements have gone too far. What #MeToo and #TimesUp are about are making sure that we foster safe and inclusive workplaces in our country. As an attorney, that’s exactly what I want to hear, and that’s exactly what I want for this country. I think they’re good movements.”

Nia Imani Franklin – Miss America - is an American composer. After graduating from East Carolina, she attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and earned her Master of Music in 2017, also in music composition. She composed a chamber opera titled King Solomon that premiered in 2015.

The Question asked of Nia Franklin was: “How can you promote a positive body image?”

This was her answer: “I would start by sharing my story. I grew up in a pre-

dominantly Caucasian school — only five percent of students were minorities I felt so out of place as a woman of color. But I found my love in arts and music and that made me feel positive about myself and who I was. That’s what I would encourage young girls to do — find who they are.”

Kaliegh Garris – Miss Teen USA – had previously been crowned Miss Connecticut Teen USA. Following her win, she received national attention for wearing her natural afro-textured hair during the competition. Prior to being crowned Miss Teen USA, Garris was a dual enrolled student at Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford Connecticut and the ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven. She now attends Southern Connecticut State University studying communications and also volunteers at Yale New Haven Hospital.

The question put to Kaliegh was: “In a survey of high school teens 61 percent of high school boys believe having a lot of money is important, compared to 41 percent of girls. Why do you think young women are less motivated by money?”

Kaliegh’s answer was: “I would say because they have the confidence in themselves to know that they are enough. They know that no matter how much money they have that they’re still successful being themselves.

And no matter who they talk to, what experiences they have or what jobs they have, they are still successful and they are still empowered being themselves.”

This is the first time in the history of the USA that Miss Universe, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA have all been beautiful Black queens. Congratulations from Mae Magazine to each and every one of them. 

Kaliegh Garris, Miss Teen USA

 Nia Imani Franklin – Miss America

Cheslie Kryst is crowned the 2019 Miss USA.

Miss Universe 2018 Philippines’ Catriona Gray (R) crowns the new Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi on stage during the 2019 Miss Universe pageant at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on December 8, 2019.

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BREONNA TAYLOR

A Mother’s Worse Nightmare: The brutal death of Breonna Taylor

T

amika Palmer was proud of her daughter, Breonna Taylor. At just 26 years old, Breonna had a career as a medical technician for the city of Louisville, Kentucky. After studying at the University of Kentucky, she worked at two hospitals in Louisville, the University of Louisville Jewish Hospital and Norton Healthcare. She was working for the city of Louisville less than a year when she was promoted to be an emergency medical technician. Her parents say she was proud of her career path.

Some people, especially one so young, may have shied away from such a precarious career, especially in the era of the deadly Covid-19, but Breonna was committed to helping others. Yet there was no one there to help her when Louisville police rammed into the door of her apartment and fired 20 shots – eight of which killed Brenonna.

Imagine her mother’s horror and grief knowing her daughter, barely out of her teens, on the way to a fruitful and fulfilling career, was gunned down in her sleep.

The police stated they raided the apartment looking for two men who were drug dealers. In fact, they were sure that the two men were drug dealers because they were both locked away in Louisville jail cells at the time of the shootings. The police say they were justified in raiding the apartment because one of the men had visited Breonna’s apartment weeks before the raid. They had no proof of that. However, with or without proof the penalty for possibly allowing a drug dealer, currently locked up, into your apartment should not be death.

Where was the public outcry? Where were the media cameras and videos?

Tamika Palmer filed a lawsuit against the two police officers that cruelly and without justification fired 20 shots, killing her

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BREONNA TAYLOR daughter with 8 of those 20 bullets.

Shaun King, an activist, heard of the shooting, spoke to the family and to their attorney, Benjamin Crump, and then took it upon himself to post about it on social media. And social media responded. Then came the public outcry, demanding justice for Breonna. Then came the media cameras.

Had it not been for that public outcry, the city of Louisville would have gotten away with indicting 27-year old Kenneth Walker for attempted murder for firing at a police officer. But how are you attempting to murder a police officer who never declared that he was a police officer, and just rammed your door down and came into your apartment? How is it attempted murder when you are trying to defend yourself and your girlfriend?

Well, it isn’t, really. That’s why all charges have been dropped against Kenneth Walker.

Had it not been for that public outcry, Steven Conrad, the inept Police Chief for the city of Louisville would continue to be police chief until his retirement, and then he’d draw a hefty pension. But Steve Conrad announced his resignation.

This mirrors the tragic occurrences of December 4, 1969 when 21 year old Fred Hampton and 22 year old Mark Clark were gunned down while they slept. That was over 50 years ago and the racist tactics of America’s police departments continue.

Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul and U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, both representing Kentucky, are calling for the elimination of no-knock warrants.

But is that too little too late? And that also begs the question, where is Senator Mitch McConnell and why hasn’t he spoken up?

If there are changes in the law and changes in the Louisville Police Department, does that mean Breonna did not die in vain? If Tamika Palmer’s lawsuit is successful does that mean Breonna received justice? No and no. Justice demands that the two officers who shot and killed Breonna while she was sleeping be indicted, tried and convicted. Even that wouldn’t be enough. It wouldn’t bring back the promising life that Breonna deserved. It wouldn’t right this terrible wrong – but it is the least that could be done. Tamika Palmer does not want a hero – she wants a daughter. This has got to stop. ·

Breonna Taylor (left) is seen with her mother Tamika Palmer (middle) and sister(right). Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by Louisville, Kentucky, police officers after allegedly executing a search warrant of the wrong house.

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www.recoveringracist.com 10 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

COVID - 19

Donning and DoffingMore Than PPE

By Claudia M. Johnson MD

N

ow that we feel familiar with terminology like PPE, N95 masks and aerosolized droplets within 6 feet (what I like to coin as “COVID-ESE”) , the virus cure like the lingo is a work in progress. So, what can one person do? We each have the choice between introducing warlike devastation to the masses or leading the healthy resistance.

A breach occurs when PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is forgotten or unavailable, a human mistake is made, or common sense is abandoned.

Either lapse can leave you knowingly or unknowingly in harm’s way. Adherence to a “culture of safety” has become a necessity and not just convenient medical jargon. Clear understanding of all methods of safety, particularly techniques of putting on PPE referred to as donning and taking off PPE called doffing has taken a prominent position in the piles of “medical stuff you should know”.

By now we have all witnessed gaps in safety. For instance, a man walking

suddenly lowers his mask to shout to a friend on the other side of the street.

Some of us may have seen a woman in the grocery store walking around with her mask pulled down just enough to expose her nose. Maybe you noticed the person who unmasked to sniff the ripeness of the fruit and pulls off a glove to do give a melon a test squeeze. Or perhaps you have walked through a group of doorway gatherers flaunting masks beneath their chins to take that last crucial puff on a cigarette. Perchance you ran inside to seek safe air only to enter a room where someone is shouting “can you hear me” on a cell phone and spewing droplets from the mouth to areas well beyond 6 feet.

We all have our strengths and we all are vulnerable to lapses in our level of awareness of possible COVID-19 harm.

But we are not defenseless. Here are some actions we can take.

1. Simply Slow Down. If the COVID nightmare has taught us anything at all, it is the lesson of patience. Waiting for money.

Waiting in lines. Waiting for

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2.

direction. Since we are now experts at waiting, we might as well slow down to make things safer. Just as needle sticks accidents are associated with rushing in surgery, breaches are more likely to happen if we fail to move carefully.

Have a mental blueprint of what your day might bring. Take personal inventory of the comfort and durability of your clothing Tugging and pulling to fix wardrobe malfunctions can kill your plan to be safe and clean.

3. When tying shoelaces, secure them. Having to stop and re-tie them opens the door for touching other surfaces that could be contaminated.

4. If you wear eyeglasses, ensure a proper fit so that you are not tempted to touch areas near your face eyes or nose to adjust your eyewear. Failing to do so could invite a breach.

5. If you have a hairstyle that

DONNING & DOFFING tends to flop in your face, braid it, twist it, or use an old-fashioned bobby pin. Resorting to scissors is better than doing nothing.

6. If your eyes tend to get dry or inflamed, put in wetting drops before you leave the house. Do not try to put them in while in the car or in a public place. Follow the same precautions utilized by contact lens wearers 7. If you need to adjust or replace a contact lens while not at home, find a clean surface clean then clean the surface again with sanitizer or soap. Now begin to insert your lens. If the lens drops wrap it and throw it away.

8. If you cannot give up fashion fun at least make it safe. Fashion danger is never in style. If you wear lashes or nails, do so carefully or forget about it. If your face is addicted to eyelashes, practice eye hygiene by using some of the over counter lid scrubs. It may not be fool proof, and maybe it is not yet proven, but as common sense demands some hygiene is better than none. Do this every evening when you come home. You might even consider perfecting your own skills in lash replacement. If you must go to a salon for this service, make sure that they respect your safety. If you are hooked on nails, lovely gel nails, dipped nails, paste on nails and more, take them down a few notches to a shorter version. Wash your hands more meticulously clean than you have ever imagined.

If they are the press-on type, remove them when your day is over and scrub, scrub, scrub your hands. And in the middle of your day, scrub, and scrub some more.

Eliminate any cozy nidus for feared viruses and unwanted bacteria. You may decide to go without the nail embellishments until safer times. Cannot stand the look? Grab those gloves.

9.Mask up! Donning masks is fast becoming the new statement where you can display your values and beliefs, show your fashion vibe, and even save the lives of your neighbors. Your mask saves them from you while their mask saves you from then. If you think you are immune to corona, note that every day we learn about a new class of victims unlike the ones we knew about the day before. For now, no one knows who has true immunity nor due they how log to expect it. Admittedly, masks can become uncomfortable with extended periods of wear. Make one that is comfortable to you or shop around. Determine which kind is easiest for you to wear and keep on. Notice how long it takes for your mask to become unbearable Make the necessary provisions to go to a private space where you can doff the mask safely while keeping others outside your immediate vicinity.

10. As we head from spring to summer, keep sinus problems and allergies at bay. Take an over the counter or a prescribed sinus medication daily, then you will prevent the onset of extra discomfort while wearing a mask. . When you mask gets wet with se-

cretions from your own nose and mouth, it becomes less efficient at providing safety to others.

11. Carry an extra pair of gloves whenever you leave home. Use hand sanitizer prior to donning gloves and immediately after doffing gloves. This decreases the likelihood of contamination. (There are some great YouTube channels by nurses for reviewing how to do this and why) Always doff your gloves by removing them inside out. Dispose of them properly. Carry a bag for disposal if you must.

12. Large purses could present a problem if you must dig deeply to find items. Think. You would be putting your gloved hand, now contaminated by use, into a purse. If you must carry a purse, have items most needed securely arranged in an easily reachable separate pouch.

13. As restrictions on returning to work are eased, stay vigilant and proactive. Carry your own sanitizer or alcohol pad to wipe light switches, computer keyboards (Check with you job about what is best) and the arms of chairs. Forget about reading and touching those old magazines.

14. Stay calm. During these times you will inevitably run into someone doing something not safe or uncaring about your environment, do not confront them.

Instead calmly tell them you care about them and that is why you wear a mask. I saw that work in one store.

And the person pulled up his mask. If that doesn’t work just move away. Love harder and care about the bigger things that you want in life. Maybe that stranger is having a difficult time coping and has COVIDinduced anxiety and depression. They may have no means of getting counseling. They are worried about bills and food and jobs and relationships.

All problems seem bigger than life during crisis.

Remember, the issues are preserving life or flirting with death. Think before you choose your side. Doff any ill-placed pride. This war is not against you or your freedom but rather it is about taking the freedom from the virus that has rampantly devoured the sick and elderly while kidnapping children’s lives and disheveling spirits and minds. How could you ever think that corona is going to be your friend? We have the power to prevent breaches in the chain of protection in our own corner and even globally. Now that’s real power. As our cities slowly reopens, be careful not to forget the breaches. Live, love and take your rightful place in the resistance.

Dedicated to Annie Ruth Summers, my dear sweet godmother who I loved since my first memory and who lost her life to chronic illness complicated by COVID on Mother’s Day. Your love lasts Claudia M. Johnson MD is physician practicing Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine at Claude Mandel Medical Center and a published health journalist.

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COVER STORY

The Lynching of George Floyd

M

urder is a horrible crime. It takes away a person’s life. But worse than murder is lynching.

It not only takes a person’s life, it causes horrendous pain and suffering to the victim until his or her last breath. It’s blatantly done in front of others, many times those others look like the victim, share the victim’s skin color, you see lynching is the epitome of hate crimes, being preserved almost exclusively for Black people. Whether it’s a rope around the neck an arm around the neck or a knee pressing on the neck, its murder – it’s horrific, painful, shameful murder.

Of the nearly 5,000 African Americans that were lynched in the 19th Century, one that stands out is the lynching of Jesse Washington, which is described in this way: “A chain was placed around his neck and he was dragged toward city hall by a growing mob; on the way

downtown, he was stripped, stabbed, and repeatedly beaten with blunt objects. By the time he was taken to city hall, a group had prepared wood for a bonfire next to a tree in front of the building.[24] Washington, semiconscious and covered in blood, was doused with oil, hung from the tree by a chain, and lowered to the ground.[27] Members of the crowd cut off his fingers, toes, and genitals. [24] The fire was lit and Washington was repeatedly raised and lowered into the flames until he burned to death. German scholar Manfred Berg posits that the executioners attempted to keep him alive to increase his suffering.

[28] Washington attempted to climb the chain, but was unable to do so without fingers.[29] The fire was extinguished after two hours, allowing bystanders to collect souvenirs from the site of the lynching, including Washington's bones and links of the chain.[24] One attendee kept part of Washington's genitalia;[30] a group of children snapped the

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GEORGE FLOYD teeth out of Washington's head to sell as souvenirs.

By the time the fire was extinguished, parts of Washington's arms and legs had been burned off and his torso and head were charred. (Wikipedia) As a result of Jessie Washington’s lynching, more and more people began crying for justice. In 1918, two years after Washington ws lynched, Represnetative Leonidas C. Dyer introduced the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. One hundred years later, in 2018, the United States Senate passed that bill.

Two years after that bill was passed, in 2020, Officer Derek Chauvin, assisted by three other officers, publically lynched an African American U.S. citizen, in front of dozens of enraged bystanders.

The fact that it took the United States 100 years to pass into law a bill that recognizes the heinous act of lynching as a federal crime says volumes about the extent of racism in these United States, as does the fact that the crime of lynching is still taking place in this country in the year 2020.

Public lynchings were traditionally held in broad daylight before an audience of the Black victims’ peers as a means of intimidation or to teach them a lesson. The perpetrators of the lynchings would go door-to-door making other black people witness the horrible deaths by lynching. In the present case, not only were dozens of people present, but the video tape of Floyd’s horrible death was seen over and over by hundreds of thousands, by

now even millions of people world-wide after being videotaped by a seventeen year old young lady whose life will be changed forever.

A large percentage of

woman. In the case of George Floyd, his crime was allegedly trying to pass a $20 counterfeit bill. However, it has come to light that Officer Derek Chauvin worked secu-

“Was all of America supposed to be so stupid that we could watch a person put his entire weight on a man’s neck and believe there was no evidence of asphyxiation and George Floyd’s death was due to an underlying medical condition?” lynchings in the past were carried out because of the rage of the white perpetrators due to the fact that the black victim whistled at, smiled at or was somewhat engaged in a relationship with a white

rity at the same club in which George Floyd was a security guard..Did Chauvin and Floyd know each other? Was Chauvin aware that George Floyd was engaged to a white woman? After Floyd was

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 17

peacefully arrested, did Chauvin come on the scene after the fact and commence to place his knee on George Floyd’s neck? Why would he so smugly murder that man in broad daylight with the whole world watching? Was it to send a lesson to the Black community?

Did Chauvin actually intend to kill Floyd, or was he merely trying to hurt or subdue him? Did he realize that by keeping his hand in his pockets, with neither of his hands free to hold onto the car or the pavement, thus shifting some of his weight away from Floyd’s neck, one of the most fragile parts of the body, that Floyd’s neck would absorb all of his weight? As Floyd was dying, and Chauvin looked down at him, did he realize Continued on Page 18 

GEORGE FLOYD

Protesters march against police brutality in Kansas City, Mo. on June 3. Chinese language media has devoted significant coverage

that his full body weight, every pound, rested on the neck of his dying victim?

Was the smug look on his face caused by the fact that perhaps he thought he could get away with his crime? After all, when Derek Panteleo choked the life out of Eric Garner on the streets of New York, despite Eric’s cries of “I can’t breathe” didn’t he get away with it? Didn’t the medical examiner in that case rule that there was no evidence of asphyxiation?

That’s all Derek Chauvin needed, a medical examiner willing to lie. And who were we to believe? Our lying eyes or the lying medical examiner? Was all of America supposed to be so stupid that we could watch a person put his entire weight on a man’s neck and believe there was no evidence of asphyxiation and George Floyd’s death was due to an underlying medical condition?.”

George Floyd was not the only victim of this heinous crime; this racist lynching. We are all victims, tired of crying, tired of protesting, tired of asking

why – yet we will continue to cry & protest & ask a thousand times – why this senseless crime? Can it be blamed on George Floyd’s past? Steven Jackson,

18 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

GEORGE FLOYD

LONDON - After violence erupted in several U.S. cities at protests over the death of George Floyd, more peaceful protests took place Sunday in cities around the world.

George Floyd’s best friend, the man who called George his twin and thought they would grow old together admitted that George was no angel. He had a brush or two with the law. But he never killed anyone. He never hurt anyone. He loved many people and he was loved by many.

And no matter what he did, no human being deserves to die that way.

Steven Jackson’s six-year old watched the murder of her father’s best friend and then said, “Dad, I can’t leave you because I seen what happened to your friend and you need me.” No six year old should have to witness that kind of death. The 17 year old who taped the murder captured the image on tape, and at the same time, that image was being engraved in her mind, forever. . George Floyd’s fiancé may suspect deep down inside that George’s real crime was loving her and causing her to love him? She

may suspect that knowledge of their relationship enraged Derek Chauvin, and when he got the chance he punished George Floyd for it. .We are all victims of this senseless crime.

But we are not silent victims. And Floyd’s family members are not helpless victims. They didn’t sit by and listen to the medical examiner lie and do nothing.

They ordered their own independent autopsy to tell the truth --that George Floyd died of asphyxiation 3 minutes and 50 seconds after Chauvin placed his full body weight, via his knee, on George Floyd’s neck. Yet even after Floyd was non-responsive, Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck. Altogether, his knee was on Floyd’s neck, exerting pressure on his carotid artery for a full 8 minutes and 46 seconds. The Minneapolis medical examiner subsequently changed his report and ruled Floyd’s death a homi-

cide.

They’ve been lynching us for far too long. Whether they’re hanging us from trees and allowing our bodies to break our necks, or kneeling on us and allowing their weight to break our neck, they’ve been doing it too long. Enough is enough. Now the world is protesting.

Now it’s their turn to find a way to insert some justice into this very unjust situation.

Until then, the Black community should be very careful with our Black dollars – purchasing Black services, buying goods and merchandise from Blackowned businesses. And whenever possible, purchasing Black-manufactured goods. The white perpetrators of racism, whether citizens, businessmen or law enforcement, must earn our dollars by

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 19

Continued on Page 20 

GEORGE FLOYD

In a world of so much grief, George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter found time to make a statement while smiling and remarked that her “Daddy changed the world.” Gianna Floyd with former NBA player Stephen Jackson showing us they can act like human beings. By recognizing that we have a right to watch birds in a park, eat ice

cream in our home, sit by the pool where we pay rent, sleep in the student lounge where we attend college, play

with a toy gun in the park.

Until they prove to us that white policemen understand that a traffic violation does

not require deadly force. Until they can treat a Black traffic offender with a much respect as they treat someone who has just murdered 9 people in a church. If they don’t know how to act – we don’t know how to spend into their capitalistic system of greed.

As of this writing, practically every country in the world, including Spain, Italy, Paris, France; Great Britain; Belgium, Iran, Nigeria and many, many more are raising the name George Floyd and protesting the injustice of his murder Derek Chauvin and the three policemen who aided and abetted the crime have been fired. Chauvin was charged with third degree murder and the charge was updated to second degree murder, and the three other officers have also been charged.

A few days ago, George Floyd’s 6 year-old daughter, sitting atop the shoulders of Steven Jackson, declared, “My Daddy’s changing the world!” Yes he is! Yes he is! 

INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY FINDS GEORGE FLOYD DIED FROM ‘ASPHYXIATION FROM SUSTAINED PRESSURE’ (Black PR Wire) Protests and demonstrations were held across the country as thousands of people reacted to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25.

20 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

GEORGE FLOYD

The Impact of George Floyd’s Murder Minneapolis, America, and the World were traumatized when we witnessed the execution of George Floyd. Sure we'd seen people shot before by the police, and we'd seen people shoot the police which is equally horrible. We've seen people unconscious and carried into an ambulance or police transport, to hear that they succumbed to their injury. But never before in the history of the world, have the general public been given a front row seat to an 8:46 minute torture and execution. Many want to make it as simple as white against black or police against citizen, but when you take away the color of their skin or the badge from the uniforms, what we watched was 4 citizens torture and murder another citizen. And like the bystanders that were there, we were helpless to do anything to save this man. We didn't know George Floyd, but we didn't have to know him or like him to understand and feel compassion for him as a human. I have not spoken to a single member of law enforcement that didn't whole heartedly believe it was murder, and that Chauvin is a disgrace. On the other hand, I've heard from

ASPHYXIATION From previous page

After an official autopsy from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner suggested that Floyd’s death was the result of being restrained in combination with underlying health issues, his family’s attorney has released the results of a private autopsy, according to USA Today.

Chip Eberhart a very small minority that isn’t sure that the citizens that killed him were wrong.

Worse than those who question it are those that are now assassinating the man's character, as if it were a reason to justify his murder, or to not care.

The bottom line is, the world isn't just pissed off because George Floyd was murdered, but because we had to watch the murder for 8:46 minutes. Those 8:46 minutes have changed us forever, and we're very angry. Those 8:46 minutes have illuminated a lack of humanity in the world, and we're very angry. Those 8:46 minutes have made everyone question how minorities are treated, and we're very angry. Those 8:46 minutes should never have happened.

While those 8:46 minutes were the injury to the world, the insult was when leadership didn't immediately or even to this date, completely condemn the torture and execution of a citizen. It's unthinkable that any human would look at the video and then say "we'll look into it".

We know what a powder keg we already

Benjamin Crump, the family’s attorney, announced that the independent autopsy “determined that asphyxiation from sustained pressure was the cause” of Floyd’s death after Derek Chauvin, a since-fired Minneapolis police officer, applied pressure to Floyd’s neck as he laid on the ground for more than eight minutes. Floyd was unconscious for nearly three of those minutes.

have with not only ongoing historical social issues in the world, between the classes, between religions, between police and citizens, and between those that think skin color has any importance today. The fuse to the powder keg was the economic strain created by the CV19 crisis. Those that were prospering were suffering, and those that were already suffering, were suffering more. Then you have leadership that has been fanning the flames of division, and when they have an opportunity to do something truly compassionate, truly human, they double down and fan the flames.

So as society circles the drain, some want to continue the course, some can't see complete social failure happen fast enough, and then there are the compassionate people of the world the humane people of the world, that are fed up with not just the oppression but also the apathy. We're all fed up, not just about the 8:46 minutes, but about the culmination of our lives coming to see this keg being lit, and wondering how we can stop the explosion. We're wondering how we can stop society from being tortured and executed. It all comes down to the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be human, be kind to others. If we can't learn that lesson, we are truly doomed. Stop fanning the flames.

Chip Eberhart is known throughout the music world as the “Architect of House Music, “being a pioneer of the genre. He also conducts Concealed Carry classes for gun owners.

“For George Floyd, the ambulance was his hearse,” Crump said.

“Beyond question, he would be alive today if not for the pressure applied to his neck by fired officer Derek Chauvin and the strain on his body from two additional officers kneeling on him. Mr. Floyd’s death was a homicide by officers who taunted him while holding him

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 21

See Asphxiation Page 23 

THE PLAN

2 –POINT PLAN I. Acknowledgement The riots that have taken place all over the country, and now all over the world, are inevitable, effective, and necessary. The problem is rioting is not a sustainable path to what we want. II. Why this is happening In order to find a solution, we must first understand why this is happening. The reason that officers of the law and private citizens acting as if they are officers of the law continue to murder us is because we can offer no consequence.

For example, the reason you don’t see so many people from other communities being murdered by police is because they can provide economic consequences. They own things COLLECTIVELY, and they’ve built a strong community by focusing on exclusive, internal growth and wealth-building.

But when members of the black community are murdered by white officers or vigilantes, we peacefully protest, focus on whatever election is upcoming, and ultimately there are no convictions for the criminals. III. Brief history of why the Civil Rights movement was effective There’s something that we missed about HOW the Civil Rights Movement was effective. Protesting was just the beginning. It was to unify the people and bring attention to the issue.

But the next step was always economic action; boycotting, investing in our communities. Then, that economic action is what FORCED legislation. The reason our efforts continue to fail is because we first of all, keep asking for change instead of forcing it. But secondly, because we keep skipping a critical step in the process. IV. What do we want? In the short-term we demand justice. In the long-term we demand re-

form. But we must be specific if we are to hold our nation accountable. We demand three things: • (1) We demand convictions and equitable and appropriate prison-time for all officers involved in the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and all parties involved in the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery. • (2) We demand legislation that ensures Independent review of Public Safety Officers • (3) We demand a modification to the standards by which officers can be prosecuted. V. Voting isn’t enough I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “If you want change, get to the polls.” Now, I'm not suggesting voting is useless. But the reality is voting will not solve our problems. In fact, we cannot allow ourselves to become distracted by political affiliations. The only way to get the change we seek is to show strength, both economically AND physically. VI. Physical strength First, let’s address physical strength. It is both irrational and unAmerican for us to continue to be met with force and not respond in-kind. This is why we need all able black Americans to exercise their constitutional rights and LEGALLY acquire a firearm.

Perhaps Ahmaud Arbery would be alive right now had he been able to defend himself against the THUGS who lynched him. And under Georgia’s Stand Your Ground Laws, he would have been within his legal rights. To all my gangbangers: my bloods, my crips, GDs, FOLK, everybody. I’m asking you to help us protect our communities from the white supremacist groups who would harm us. You are already armed, and you aren’t afraid to die. I hope that you see fit to call a truce and unite against a greater, common enemy in

order to protect our children, our mothers, our sisters, aunties, and grandmothers. VII. Economic strength Now, we must address how we fight economically. America doesn’t particularly care about black life. If it did, we wouldn’t still be facing what we’re facing right now. What America DOES care about is black dollars. So, we have to start speaking America’s language. Effective immediately, we will only buy food from black-owned restaurants. This does not apply to grocery stores, as we don’t feel there are enough black-owned grocery stores nationwide, at this point, to accommodate the initiative. However, there are many grocery items you can find on sites like webuyblack.com.

Now, our black-owned restaurant initiative means that you will need to avoid many of your favorite restaurants. But you will discover new black-owned favorites. And you must ask yourself, “What’s more important?” Understand that this is only Phase 1 of a larger plan.

We will implement Phase 2 in the weeks to come. But this is something that everyone can do. So, what’s the point, and why will this work? According to both Nielsen and the CDC, black people eat more fast food than anyone. By diverting our billions of dollars, we will accomplish two things: 1) Change is not free. Supporting only black restaurants keeps our money in our communities.

Money we can ultimately leverage to create the changes we all want to see. 2) It uses our money (money we are already spending anyway) to create powerful billionaire allies. These companies will do what is necessary to get our dollars back. And if that means helping us to meet our objectives, that’s what

22 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

they’ll do. There are a few important notes to make concerning this plan: • This is not a boycott. We are not punishing white businesses. We are simply consumers who are making a choice to exclusively support black restaurants in the strategic interest of justice and reform. • Please note that we are exclusively supporting BLACK owned restaurants; not MINORITY owned. The terms “black” and “minority” are not interchangeable.

So, to my Chinese, Korean, Arabic, & Indian restaurant owners: We have nothing against you personally. But if we don’t do this now, there will be none of us left to buy your products anyway. • If a franchised location is owned by a black person, eat at that location exclusively.

We will not harm our own people. • There are websites like, eatblackowned.com that you can use to find black-owned restaurants in your area.

But I am confident that once everyone learns of our initiative, they’ll let you know how to find them. • We will not support non-equitable services. We will support black restaurants that offer the quality and service we deserve. And if we have a negative experience, we will not generalize and say, “See, this is why I don’t support black businesses”. We will simply express our concerns to the management, and if we so choose, we just won’t go back to that particular restaurant. Just as we would behave with a restaurant that isn’t black-owned. • This is not a one-day event. Did you know that the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted over a year? 381 days to be exact. It takes time and consistency to have impact, just as it took time and consistency to implement the racist constructs we are fighting. We will continue with our strategy until our demands are met. At times this will not be easy. You will be tempted to stray. But please accept that there can be no change without sacrifice. X. A brief message to White America – We don’t hate you. A brief message to White America: We don’t hate you. We don’t hate America; we just need it work for us in the same way it works for you. Please stop saying all lives matter. Saying All Lives Matter is like ONE house in a subdivision is on fire. The fire truck arrives, and you ask the fireman to douse your house with

water – even though it’s not on fire – because your house is important too.

We’ve been asking for equality for hundreds of years now. Please process that.

Understand, we’re done asking. XI. Why ukulwa? This word ukulwa is Zulu; it means “fight”. Black people, we must know that we are bigger than slavery.

Our existence didn’t begin when we became useful to America. We have our own continent, our own African culture, our own independent history. We are better than begging to not be murdered.

The time has come for us to fight, and now we know how. This plan cannot work if people don’t know about it. So, if you do nothing else it’s important that you share this post or the link to this post on all your social media. And whenever you mention the plan, use the hashtag: #howwefight. Remember, #howwefight.

Share the post. #howwefight 

ASPHYXIATION From previous page

down for more than eight minutes. And the officer who stood by doing nothing was a physical blue shield – a living symbol of the code of silence.”

Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson performed the autopsy and they determined there was “neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain,” according to Crump’s statement. They went on to say that “weight on the back, handcuffs and positioning were contributory factors because they impaired the ability of Mr. Floyd’s diaphragm to function.”

talk, you can breathe. That’s not true.”

The incident was captured on video by passersby who witnessed four Minneapolis police officers arrest and restrain Floyd.

He was taken into custody under suspicion of using a fake $20 bill.

As of this writing, Derek Chauvin is the only of the four officers who were on the scene to have been arrested, though they were all fired the following day.

To further contradict claims made in the initial autopsy, Baden stated that Floyd likely died at the scene of his arrest.

“What we found is consistent with what people saw,” Baden said. “There is no other health issue that could cause or contribute to the death. Police have this false impression that if you can

Protesters take to the streets of Norfolk demanding for justice after the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 23

DREASHJON REED

He Video-taped His Own Murder

D

reasjon Reed, known to everyone as Sean Reed was 21 years old, barely out of his teens, when he was killed on May 5, 2020 by an unknown police assailant.

Once an airman in the United States Air Force, his mother admitted that “Sean was no angel.” But how many 21 year old Black men in the United States are angels?

Sean was a licensed gunholder, and may very well have had a gun on him that night. But as his lawyers pointed out, and as the video, which he took of himself, verified – at no point did he pull the gun out. At no time did he point the gun at the police.

Sean wasn’t like Ahmaud Arberry, running through an all-white gated community. He was driving his car. Why the police spotted him and gave chase is not clear.

Sean was 21 years old. When he was 13, 17-year old Trayvon Martin was killed by a vigilante, wannabe police.

Sean knew better than to put himself in that situation.

When he was 15 years old, Michael Brown was gunned down while running toward the police with his hands up and no weapon in his hand. And also at the age of 15, he heard, I’m sure, about LaQ-

uann McDonald’s, running with a tiny knife away from the police.

But after the police had cornered him, he found himself in a similar situation that LaQuann McDonald was. He had no place to run, but somehow he found that was his only option – so he ran. Recording himself all the time. Then he fell to the ground, still recording himself as the police plowed his body with bullets.

One witness reported that he was lying on the ground – shaking. “They had no reason to shoot him,” she said. But since when do police need a reason to shoot a man – armed only with his Blackness?

In Indianapolis, police do not wear body cameras. Therefore, we will never see the total truth in the case of Sean Reed or any other victim of the Indianapolis Police Department. Four other people have reportedly been murdered this year by Indianapolis police. We will never know the circumstances of those murders either, because Indianapolis is the largest cityin the nation without police body cams.

Twenty days after Sean Reed was murdered by the Indianapolis police, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police. There is a pattern. Injustice toward unarmed Black victims is rampart

Dreasjon Reed – all over the United States.

Citizens and governing officials of Indianapolis are calling for the Indianapolis Court to appoint an independent investigator. Sean’s family is suing the city. Neither of these actions will bring Sean – who was described as a promising young man with a future – back to his family and friends and loved ones.

But they may make a dent, even a small dent in this justice system. 

A banner, signed by community members, during a press conference to announce a federal lawsuit filed by the family of Dreasjon Reed, who would have been 22 years old , Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in Indianoplis, IN. Dreasjon Reed’s family speaks about police shooting.

24 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

SELF CARE

W

aking up in a world of uncertainty for black bodies, self-care is a necessary ingredient for a daily recipe for emotional survival.

Black women are caretakers, money managers, sister-friends and soccer moms to the next generation of children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, the search for a supportive and constructive outlet is always pushed to the side or back behind the needs of others. It is time to stop, breathe, and take back your power to create effective self-care. Time to be intentional about your self-care.

Ready. Set. Go!   

Nourishment and Exercise Human Connection Spiritual Empowerment

The

Power of Self-Care

Nourishment and Exercise What’s eating you? Your food is your medicine.

Your daily nutrition provides the building blocks for a less stressful, less painful, and more productive day. Start with healthy substitutes for carbs and empty calories. Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your daily meals and snacks.

Try green teas in place of soda or diet soda. Add a 15-minute walk in your day and remember to stretch and walk away from your desk every hour if possible.

Try these few changes and keep a food journal to note what works. Start to enjoy less brain fog and shake off that sluggish feeling in the middle of the workday.

Human Connection Who’s listening to you? Select your tribe and be present.

We all have a need for human connectedness. A stressful day can be off-set with healthy sister-friend check-ins throughout the day. Be vulnerable and share your stories with other sisters that have your best interest at heart. Find your emotionally supportive community on social media, within school groups, work groups, church groups, and word of mouth. There are women encouraging women across this country, saving lives and forming sisterhoods for ongoing resources and emotional support.

Also, check with the local hospital or

trauma centers in your area for support groups for your specific stressors.

Spiritual Empowerment What are you thinking? Meditation and regular fellowship impact your worldview.

The power of self-care includes spiritual empowerment to combat the negative messages we are bombarded with daily.

Your thoughts become actions, and your actions become habits. Black women are

often labeled as strong and confident.

However, there is still a need to rest the mind, spiritually recharge, mentally relax, and trust the process. Remember, the universe will provide. There is no use in worrying about what you did or didn’t complete on today. Try your best to live in the moment. 

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 25

26 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

SAY THEIR NAMES A Listing of Some of our Black Brothers & Sisters Killed by the hands of Police in 2019 Akeen Brown Akinyia Malik Jerome Gray Alex Johnson Allan Feliz Allon Jones Alvern Donnell Walker Amari Malone Anthony Dewayne Childs Anthony Orlando Bowers Antonio Joseph Valentine Antonio Nichols Antonio Williams Ariane Lamont McCree Ashanti Pinkney Atatiana Jefferson Ben Fields Benjamin Ray Smith Bennie Branch Bishar Hassain Blige Sean Christopher Cypress Bobby Ray Duckworth Bradley Blackshire Bradley Rundle Brandon Webber Brent Durbin-Daniel Brian Leslie Statler Bruce Carter Bryan Bernard Wallace Cameron Bennett Cameron Lamb Channara Tom Pheap Charles Ballard Charles Roy Pearson Chris Joseph Christopher DeQuan Crosby Christopher Terrell Willis Christopher Whitfield Cortez Bufford Cortez Shepherd Crederick Joseph Crystal Danielle Ragland (Female) Curtis Stagger D’Angelo Brown D’Ettrick Griffin Daishawn Brown Dana Sherrod Fletcher Daniel Warren Danquirs Napoleon Franklin Dante Redmond Jones Darrell Allen

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HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO MARK UP JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT On June 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

ET, the House Judiciary Committee will markup the Justice in Policing Act, the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, end racial profiling, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-CA), Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (DNY) introduced the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 on June 8, 2020.

On June 10, 2020, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to examine the crisis of racial profiling, police brutality and lost trust between police departments and the communities they serve. 

MAE MAGAZINE Is UnApologetically BLACK!

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 27

SAY THEIR NAMES One Thing Newsrooms Can Do: Capitalize "B" When Reporting About the Black Community An open letter to the news media and the Associated Press.

Follow the Black Press’ lead.

(Black PR Wire) In the wake of the Sarah Glover George Floyd NABJ President 2015-19 tragedy and NBCOTS Manager of the subseSocial Media Strategy www.facebook.com/ quent call to sarah4nabj eradicate rawww.twitter.com/ cism that’s sarah4nabj www.twitter.com/skyphoto manifested via protests worldwide, I’m writing today to request the mainstream news media begin capitalizing the “B” in Black when describing people and the community.

I’m also asking the Associated Press (AP) to update its Stylebook to reflect this change, effective immediately. This book is the bible for working journalists and sets journalistic industry standards.

The AP has tremendous impact as a wire service with more than 1,000 subscribers worldwide.

Black is an encompassing term that is readily used to refer to African Americans, people of Caribbean descent and people of African origin worldwide.

Capitalizing the “B” in Black should become standard use to describe people, culture, art and communities. We already capitalize Asian, Hispanic, African American and Native American.

This step is a good first step to affirm the significance of being Black in AmerSEE PAGE 29

David N. Anderson Davini Robertson De’Von Bailey Delfon Kinney Demetrious Brooks Demetrius Williams Derek Smith Derrec Jamal Shaw Derrick Everett Deshon Downing Detravian Allison DeWayne Watkins Dijon D. Watkins Djuantez Anthony Mitchell Dominick Matt Donald Davis Jr. Donqaule Maurice Gray Dwight Steward Earnest Easterling Eddie Ray Maxwell Edtwon Stamps Edward Fuller Elijah Collins III Emanuel David Joshua Oates Emanuel Johnson Eric Carter Eric Jack Logan Francine Graham (Female) Gary Marin Gene Pool Gregory Griffin Harold Vincent Robinson Hashim Jibiri Wilson Isaiah Lewis Isaiah Robinson Jacob Michael Harris Jahmal Derrick Stewart Jamaal Simpson Jamahl Smith Jamarcus Dejun Moore Jamee Christopher Deonte Johnson James Lee Kirkwood Jaquan Derrick Diijon Thompson JaQuavion Staton Jaymil Elierbe Jerric Harris Jimmie Phillips Jimmy Atchison John Feggins Jordan Michel Griffin Josef Delon Richardson Kaewwm Omar Morgan Kaizen Crossen Kawaski Trawick Kaylon Robinson Keith Carter

28 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

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SAY THEIR NAMES NEWSROOMS From previous page ica. This matters. It’s to bring humanity to a group of people who have experienced forms of oppression and discrimination since they first came to the United States 401 years ago as enslaved people. I ask for this change in honor of the Black Press, which already capitalizes the “B” in Black, and in honor of the legacy of the 44 brave men and women who founded the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in 1975.

I’m not the first to propose this change.

I’ve read multiple published opinions on the topic over the past decade in particular. I first asked AP editors to consider the change last August. As the then president of NABJ, I sent letters to all the candidates for presidential office to address the 4,400 Black journalists, media professionals, students and attendees at the 2019 NABJ Convention in Miami. I took note of the candidate responses by Senator Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete Buttigieg as they both capitalized the “B” when describing the community and people.

Kenneth Simeus Kentrey Marquis Witherspoon Kevin Bruce Mason Kevin Leroy Beasley Kevin Pudik Kreed Cornell Bateman Kwesi Ashun Kyron Marcell Sands Lamar Alexander Lance Deward Smith Latasha Nicole Walton (Female) Lazzeri James Frazier Leo Brooks Leo Craig Leonard Shand Louis Patrick Veal Luke Anthony Swann Makeyvion Devonte Cannon Malik Ali Gresham Mantry Norris Marcus Boles Marcus McVae

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“Just as Ethel Payne found herself the sole reporter asking about desegregation in the White House briefing room, Black journalists are still too often a lone voice of scrutiny. This gathering is an important opportunity to help change that by growing networks of Black journalists and ensuring that diverse perspectives are covering the stories that impact us all,” Buttigieg wrote in response to my invitation.

While I was following AP style in my

outreach to the candidates and not capitalizing the “B” in Black, I knew that, fundamentally, that style was wrong and inadequate.

“All too often, the interests and needs

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 29

SEE PAGE 30

SAY THEIR NAMES NEWSROOMS From previous page

of Black Americans are underrepresented in mainstream media, and so are your stories,” Sanders also responded last year.

After the riots following Freddie Gray’s death while in custody of the Baltimore police in 2015, I wrote to the AP on behalf of NABJ stakeholders. I asked that the definition of the word “boy” be updated. The AP made the change in the 2018 Stylebook to include context to the word “boy” for describing Black men, which if not used properly can be racist due to historical connotations that may evoke Jim Crow-era references, including lynchings of Black men.

So here we are again, a sign of the times.

George Floyd narrated his death on May 25, 2020, in a now widely seen social media video that captured him saying. Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin depressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while Floyd was handcuffed and laying face down on the ground.

Floyd’s death has elevated the nation’s consciousness of systemic racism, ranging from incidents of excessive use of force by the police to everyday microaggressions. 

Black Americans killed by police twice as likely to be unarmed as white people https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/ jun/01/black-americans-killed-by-policeanalysis

Mark Sheppard Marquis Weems Marvin Green Marzeus Scott Maurice Brown Maurice Holley MicduffLamarco Robinson Michael Austin Michael Dean Michael Elam Michael John Miguel Russo MikyasMehary Tegegne Miles Hall Mohamed Ahemed Al-Hashemi

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Montay Steven Penning Myles Frazier Myron Flowers Nakia Smith NasheemPrioleau Nathaniel Holland Nathaniel Pinnock Neico Crooks NekiyloDawayne Graves Nicholas Walker Nina Adams (Female) Omari Thompson Onaje Dickinson OndraeLevado Hutchinson Osaze Osagie Oscar Cain Pamela Shantay Turner (Female) Pierre J. Cher Frene Pierre Woods Quency Chavez Floyd Quentin Broadus Rashad Cunningham Raymond Lewis Williams Reginald Romero Bursey Roderick Wilson Rodnell Cotton Rodney Lassiter Romello Barnes Ronald Davis Ronnie Jerome Hill Roy McAllister Ruben Houston Ryan Smith Ryan Twyman Samuel Galberth SawandiAsad Toussaint Schaston Theodore Laman Hodge Sean Rambert Shamikle Jackson Sharell Brown Shawan F. Allen

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WI IL LA IL NY CA CA FL NV TX PA PA PA NC PA GA TX FL MS MO OK IN AR LA AL MO TX FL MN FL NC WI WA CA NY CA TX NC CO IL MS

30 MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020

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SAY THEIR NAMES Shawn Stevens Shelby Gazaway Stephen Murray Steven Day Steven DeWayne Haizlip Tasjon Tyreek Osbourne Taveonte Art Emmanuel Terrance Bridges Terry Davis Terry Tilman Thomas Johnson Toussaint Diamon Sims Tramon Savage Treon McCoy Treva Smutherman Trivenskey O. Odom Ty’Reese West Ty’rell Pounds Tymar Crawford Tyrone Domingo Banks Veltavious Griggs Victor Hernandez Victor Jarvis Vincense Williams, Jr. Wallace Wilder William Owens Willie Bo McCoy Willie Hudson Willie Jermaine Robinson

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PA KY CA MO NC OH CA MO KY MO LA MS AR NC NC LA WI KY FL MO GA NY NC OK AL NJ CA TN SC

Between 2014 and 2019, police in the United States killed 6557 people.

Learn more by visiting https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2020/know-their-names/index.html

MAE MAGAZINE George Floyd Special Edition | June 2020 31