California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., Antonio Ray Harvey and

Henderson | California Black Media

Your roundup of stories you might have missed last week.

Black Caucus Members Sen. Steven Bradford and Sen. Lola SmallwoodCuevas Recognize Juneteenth on Senate Floor

Last week, the California Senate voted 39-0 to pass Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 76. This measure recognizes June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth. During the session before the vote, Senators Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights) spoke about why the commemoration is important for all Americans.

Bradford highlighted the historical significance of the color red for formerly enslaved people.

“Many times, people stereotype African Americans as great lovers of watermelon, red soda pop, or other things of that nature. But if they knew our history, they would know the significance of ‘red’,” Bradford told his colleagues before they cast their votes in favor of California commemorating the 158th Anniversary of Juneteenth.

“It is the significance of the watermelon, the significance of hibiscus tea, or as my old man used to say, ‘red velvet cake’,” Bradford continued. “The red was reflective of the blood that we shed in this country. The blood that we shed for over 250 years of slavery. That’s why those items are so significant to a Juneteenth celebration if you’ve ever been to one.”

Smallwood-Cuevas reminded her colleagues that Black Americans were enslaved longer than they have been free.

“It is a celebration, historically, of how America became the “Land of the Free” for everyone in this country on Juneteenth,” said SmallowoodCuevas. “An estimated $20 trillion was amassed on the backs of enslaved labor, making the U.S. the largest economic power in the world.”

Authored by California Black Legislative Caucus (CLBC) members Bradford and Smallwood-Cuevas, SCR 76 urges lawmakers and Californians to celebrate the anniversary of the day in 1865 when some of the last enslaved African Americans in America were told they were free through the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier in 1863.

Hate Crime Hotline Receives 180 Reports in First Month

In May, the California Civil Rights Department (CCDR) launched a hate hotline to provide support and services to victims of hate crimes. One month into the effort, 180 reports from across the state have been processed.

“Make no mistake: Hate and discrimination remain a threat across the country,” Director Kevin Kish said in a statement. “However, here in California, you’re not alone in the face of hate.”

According to Kish, nearly half of those who reported hate acts accepted services from department staff, including help in obtaining legal aid and counseling.

“No place is immune to hate, but in California, we’re committed to doing everything in our power to uplift, protect, and heal all our communities,” Kish said.

Of the 180 reports received by the CCDR hotline, hate acts related to race and ethnicity were the most commonly reported. Acts related to religion and sexual orientation followed. The majority of reports were from individuals who were directly targeted by hate acts. The CCDR plans to release more detailed numbers in the future.

Reports can be made online in 15 languages at any time at cavshate. org, or by calling (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Trained staff are prepared to receive reports in over 200 languages.

Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta Releases “State of Pride” Report

In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a new “State of Pride Report.” The report highlights recent actions taken by the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) to support, uplift, and defend the rights of LGBTQ+ communities across California.

The report documents discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in the classroom, sports, healthcare and public access. The report also lists rights that members of the community have to protect themselves against discrimination.

According to the report, about 2.7 million or 9.1% of California adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender -- the largest share of any highly populated state and higher than the national average of 7.9%.

Between 2021 and 2022, there were over 391 reported hate crime events motivated by sexual orientation bias, and 45 hate crimes motivated by anti-transgender or anti-gender nonconforming bias in California.

“As a committed LGBTQ+ ally, I firmly believe that everyone deserves to be safe, healthy, prosperous, and celebrated for who they are — regardless of how they identify or who they love,” said Bonta. “As we come together this Pride Month to celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities, we must also recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights at home and across the country.”

The State of Pride Report can be accessed on the Attorney General Office’s website. For more information on hate crimes and LGBTQ+ discrimination, visit https://oag. ca.gov/hatecrimes.

“A Confluence of Crises”: Gov. Newsom Unveils Multibillion-Dollar Housing Plan for Mentally Ill

On June 20, Gov. Gavin Newsom, in partnership with Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), announced a legislative package to build housing for people with mental illness and addiction.

The plan proposes using $4.68 billion in new bond funding and modernization of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) for the March 2024 ballot.

“We are facing a confluence of crises: mental health, opioids, housing, and homelessness – and this transformative effort will ensure California is tackling these head-on in a comprehensive and inclusive way,” said Newsom in a statement.

“Over the last few years, California has led the nation in expanding access to affordable and quality mental health services – especially for children, teens, and people with untreated mental illness. The historic legislative effort announced today will supercharge these efforts to ensure California continues to lead the way in the decades to come.”

SB 326 (Eggman) and AB 531 (Irwin) are two bills that aim to transform California’s behavioral health system through housing with accountability and reform. The funding would provide California with the resources needed to build 10,000 new beds across community treatment