C e l e b r a t i n g 2 7 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities
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January 20-26, 2022 VOL. 37, No. 03
MLK Legacy Continues Forward
CHC Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King, His Legacy, the MLK Holiday, and Our Continued Work in South LA Congresswoman Maxine Waters Statement on the
Passing of Earl Titus
IT News Wire
Inglewood Today News
King’s family has requested no celebration unless federal lawmakers pass voting rights legislation, a task that appears out of reach as President Joe Biden and several Democrats have faced stiff Republican opposition. Prayer breakfasts, marches, parades, and an uptick in volunteer efforts to support the annual Day of Service have remained staples of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But the late civil rights icon family has asked that observers strike a different tune in 2022. King’s family has requested no celebration unless federal lawmakers pass voting rights legislation, a task that appears out of reach as President Joe Biden and several Democrats have faced stiff Republican opposition. Democrats have also been hampered by members of their own party, notably West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, whose vote is crucial in an evenly split chamber. “President Biden and Congress used Continued on page 7
As the King entourage walked the litter-strewn streets of Watts they had a memorable conversation with a hostile youth. “We won,” the youth exclaimed. King recoiled at the youth’s ebullience. “How have you won? Homes have been destroyed, Negroes are lying dead in the streets, the stores from which you buy food and clothes are destroyed, and people are bringing you relief.” The youth’s answer both startled and enlightened King. “We won because we made the
whole world pay attention to us. The police chief never came here before; the mayor always stayed uptown. We made them come.” Kenneth Stahl, The Great Rebellion, 2009 The Watts Riots ensued after a period of pro-longed discrimination and economic disparities. The 1992 LA Uprisings, for which I was present, was catalyzed by ongoing police brutality against Black lives. I was 16 years-old during the LA Riots, and much like the youth quoted above, I
did not feel that anyone was paying attention to the cruelties we were being forced to endure. Sadly, not much has changed for our families in South LA and other oppressed communities across the nation suffering under the weight of America’s unfinished work around civil rights and equality. BUT, as we approach MLK Day this year, I have hope. I have hope in the historic convening of California’s Taskforce on Reparations and the focus on Continued on page 7
Voting Rights Takes Center Stage at Black Caucus MLK Breakfast Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media
Voting rights was the central theme at a virtual breakfast the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) held Jan. 12 to celebrate the sacrifices and impact of Martin Luther King Jr. on American life and politics. “It is not enough to evoke Dr. King’s name on his birthday, post on social media and then take the day off,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), CLBC chair, reminding the audience of King’s activism and how his efforts led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Bradford said there are forces still attacking the rights of some Americans to vote, and more work needs to be done to make sure the voices of all Americans are heard and that all voters have access to the ballot box. “His birthday should be about a day on, a day of activity in our community, of activism and continuing to push
Continued on page 6
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