Black Women Say It’s Time to Rest
By Veronica Mackey
“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman.”—Malcolm X
Out of the ashes of defeat, disappointment, and discouragement over recent election results, Black women in America are banning together to take back their power by focusing more on themselves and each other. It’s a spontaneous, organic, leaderless movement, based on the decision to collectively stop supporting other racial and gender groups and agendas—primarily white women.
It’s called the Rest Era, and it’s fueled by feelings of betrayal by white women who vowed to fight with them against racist practices and restore abortion rights in Republican-leaning states. Before the
53% of them voted for Republican Donald Trump instead. That same poll showed that 92% of Black women voted for Harris, compared to 45% of
The City of Inglewood marked a decade of giving on Wednesday with its 10th Annual Turkey Giveaway at SoFi Stadium. Sponsored by PepsiCo and Don Lee Farms, the event brought together city leaders, celebrities, community volunteers, corporate partners, and sports organizations to provide Thanksgiving essentials to more than 2,500 pre-registered Inglewood families.
The drive-thru event saw turkeys, boxes of fresh produce, and beverages distributed to registered families, continuing a holiday tradition that has become a cornerstone of the city’s community outreach efforts. This year’s donations included turkeys courtesy of
Don Lee Farms, along with sides, Pepsi beverages, and produce boxes featuring
election, white women gave lip service to supporting Democratic Candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, but a national exit poll by CNN showed that
Inglewood Today News
white women and 60% of Latinas. President-Elect Trump has vowed
Publisher’s Message
Be Thankful Always
By Willie Brown
It’s a week before Thanksgiving, and many of us find ourselves looking for a second wind. Between the election results and the out-of-control cost of living, the prospects for a happy Holiday Season may be looking grim for some.
My advice to those who voted for Kamala Harris is to take some time out to work through the shock, then move on toward recovery. I can’t emphasis enough the importance of taking a pause before jumping into the Holidays. You need to regain your focus and prepare for interactions with friends or loved ones whom you plan on seeing on Thanksgiving or Christmas—especially those who share opposing political views.
In a way, it’s good that we are moving into the Holidays. We could all use more joy right now, and the spirit of Christmas is contagious. Try not to shut yourself off, but get into the season in whatever way you can. Even if finances are tight, you can still participate by watching holiday movies, enjoying your favorite traditional foods, listening to music and going to certain neighborhoods with lavish displays of Christmas decorations.
It’s going to take a minute to collectively move on, but at least we have the holidays to look forward to. If your finances won’t allow you to spend as freely as you have in the past, then it’s time to let go of unrealistic expectations. Let go of things you can’t control and allow yourself to be okay with what you have.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, so take time to reflect on what makes you feel grateful. Doing this can change your mood and get you focused on what is going right. It may be harder this year, but whatever state you find yourself in, know that you are not alone, and you can make it regardless. Now is the time to apply more faith and trust. Now is the time to seek comfort in the company of friends and family, regardless of how small your circle may be.
If you find it hard to recall
Inglewood Today Announces Internships
Inglewood Today (https:// inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/ research assistants. The 31year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.
Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.
Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@inglewoodtoday. com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.
your blessings or if the hardships of life have you wondering if you’ll ever get past them, remind yourself of your goals and dreams. Remind yourself of the tough situations that have happened before, and how you overcame them. If we are to survive as a collective, we will need to come closer to each
other. Find something to do that adds to the betterment of your family and your community. This year, consider volunteering for a food or toy drive, or doing something to help the homeless. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving and a healthy mindset.
California’s Maternal Health Blueprint Ignores Systemic Racism, Community Solutions
Black mothers in California experience a maternal mortality rate that is three times above the average in the state.
The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice Co-Founder and Executive Director Dana Sherrod said although Black women have higher rates of chronic conditions going into pregnancy, the root cause of their high maternal mortality rate Is racism.
“We see Black women without pre-existing conditions, who have protective factors and are still fairing worse — having worse birthing outcomes, added Sherrod. “Racism is really what is undergirding this crisis and it’s been prevalent and evident for centuries.”
To reduce the maternal mortality rate for all women in the state, particularly Black women, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos unveiled the California Maternal Health Blueprint and announced the Strong Start & Beyond movement in September.
The 20-page blueprint serves as a strategic framework for improving reproductive and maternal health by cutting the maternal mortality in the state by 50% by December 2026. The blueprint also calls for reproductiveaged individuals to understand the health risks they could encounter in future pregnancies by completing a questionnaire over the next 25 months.
In her announcement, Ramos highlighted that the best way to ensure
a newborn’s health is to ensure the health of the mother. “By leveraging powerful partnerships and pioneering cutting-edge solutions,” she said, “we can help California mothers, pregnant people, and newborns have a strong start and healthy future.”
Late last month though, Sherrod, and various health advocates and experts — midwives, doulas, physicians, and community organizations — sent a sixpage letter to Ramos urging her to delay actions the blueprint recommends due to concerns they have about omissions and oversights in the document.
Sherrod says moving forward with the blueprint as it is may “cause harm” to Black and Indigenous communities.” She says there are shortcomings in the document’s development process, and its analyses blame individuals for health challenges rather than addressing systemic failures.”
“Black women, in particular, have been pushing against these harmful narratives for years, and this feels like a significant step backward,” Sherrod said.
Members of the collective met with Ramos, according to Sherrod, but the surgeon general seemed to be moving forward with the blueprint. “We are hoping to have an open dialogue to redirect some of the strategies in the blueprint,” Sherrod said.
In an email to California Black Media last week, the Office of the California Surgeon General expressed its commitment to engaging the community to enhance existing programs that support new mothers
during the postpartum period.
“The immediate opportunity for the community lies in the fact that over 62% of maternal deaths occur after delivery, when the mom is at home and in the community,” the statement read. “Community resources will be the bridge between the healthcare system and the pregnant person and new moms.”
The office said the Strong Start & Beyond initiative aims to showcase an array of existing programs and best practices to improve maternal outcomes and that communication channels like social media and webinars will be used to highlight the campaign.
“The most impactful action in reducing maternal mortality among Black mothers is for local community programs serving Black mothers to cross collaborate with other state and local communities and existing programs to increase awareness of resources for mothers before, during, and after pregnancy,” the office said.
“An example of one of these programs is the California Department of Public Health Black Infant Health program.”
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who announced Strong Start Beyond with Ramos, said in a September statement that California has proven initiatives that enhance maternal health and reduce disparities.
“We are setting critical goals to improve maternal health outcomes and creating a robust support network for mothers, from preconception through postpartum care, addressing the diverse needs of our population and setting an
example for the nation,” she said. The blueprint reveals that every five days a mother in California loses her life to pregnancy-related complications. Health statistics show from 2019 to 2021 Black mothers have the highest pregnancy-related mortality rate per 1,000 in the state at 49.7%. Hispanic women had a rate of 17.7%, Asian women were at 14.4%, and white women were at 14.0%.
Sherrod said although the blueprint mentions disparities and outcomes among women from various ethnic groups, not mentioning the racism Black women experience during their pregnancy and when giving birth — which has been noted by researchers and reported by Black women – is a misstep.
“Black women have higher instances of pain or concerns being dismissed or unaddressed,” she said. “That is significant because it tells us: we aren’t experts in knowing our own bodies. It tells Black women they are not believable. In active labor, we also see higher rates of unnecessary cesarean sections among Black women.” The advocates also say state health authorities have not provided details about the blueprint’s development.
“In terms of clinician representation alone, the process did not include participation from midwives,” the letter states. “The contribution of midwifery and of midwife leaders is grossly undervalued in California’s health care system, despite midwives making up nearly a third of birth providers in the state.”
By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media
Area Communities
Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
Inglewood Unified Announces Strategic Consolidation Plan, Prompting Mixed Community Reactions
The Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) has proposed a strategic consolidation plan that will result in the closure of five schools at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. This decision is part of an effort to optimize resources, enhance educational opportunities, and provide state-of-the-art facilities for students. While some view the plan as a fiscally responsible move, others are grappling with the emotional and logistical impacts of closing schools that have served the community for generations.
The schools slated for closure include Crozier Junior High School, Highland Elementary School, Hudnall School, Kelso Elementary School, and the historic Morningside High School, which has been a cornerstone of Inglewood education for decades. As part of the plan, Kelso School will relocate to a new campus, and students from Morningside High School will be transferred to Inglewood High School, which is set to undergo a reconstruction project expected to be completed by January 2028. During this time, Inglewood High School will temporarily operate on the Morningside campus.
In a recent letter to families, County Administrator Dr. James Morris highlighted the district’s efforts to create transformative opportunities
for students, including the launch of the Iovine and Young Center for Integrated Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, the reconstruction of Inglewood High School, and the development of a state-of-the-art community hub and sports complex in partnership with the City of Inglewood. These projects aim to modernize education in the district and provide new resources for both students and the broader community.
Community Reactions: A Tale of Two Perspectives
The proposed plan has sparked mixed feelings among Inglewood residents. On one hand, some community members view the decision as a necessary and overdue step for a district that has struggled with declining enrollment and excess capacity. “It’s a smart move,” one resident shared. “A district shouldn’t operate more schools than it can fill—it’s fiscally irresponsible.”
Supporters of the plan believe it will allow the district to redirect resources
toward creating higher-quality programs and facilities, ultimately benefiting students in the long term. On the other hand, the decision has drawn criticism from parents, alumni, and residents who worry about the impact on students. “The closure of legacy schools like Morningside High School feels like losing a piece of our community’s history,” one concerned parent noted. Others have voiced concerns about the potential for overcrowded classrooms, longer commutes, and disruptions to students’ educational journeys. The transition to new schools, particularly for younger students, has left some families questioning the long-term impacts on the quality of education.
A Future-Focused Vision for Education
While the closures are significant, IUSD is also offering a range of educational options to students. In addition to Inglewood High School, students can apply to City Honors International Preparatory School,
Inglewood High School Early College Program, or the Iovine and Young Center. These specialized programs reflect the district’s commitment to providing diverse pathways for student success. Dr. Morris acknowledged the challenges associated with these changes but expressed optimism about the district’s future. “We understand that change can bring challenges,” he wrote, “but we are confident these efforts will create new opportunities and strengthen the future of education in our community. “
As the district moves forward with the consolidation plan, it faces the challenge of balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining the trust and support of the community. IUSD has committed to keeping families informed and engaged throughout the transition, offering resources and support to ensure a smooth adjustment for students.
The closures of beloved schools like Morningside High represent a significant change, but the district’s emphasis on modern facilities and innovative programs signals its dedication to providing a 21stCentury education. Whether this plan will deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but one thing is clear— this marks a pivotal moment for the future of education in Inglewood.
Inglewood Today News
Sports & Entertainment
Grammy Nominations: Snubs, Duds and Flubs
By Maya Mackey
The 2024 Grammy Nominations are in, and the choices are a bit of a headscratcher. To be fair, 2024 has been overly saturated with new music. From Rap to Pop to New Age Jazz to Americana and beyond, it’s been a phenomenal year for music lovers! There’s been so many great albums this year, I’m behind in my listening and there are albums that came out in the beginning of the year that I haven’t had time to revisit.
Nonetheless, The Recording Academy did the tough job of trying to rank which releases were worthy of the controversial but still prestigious Grammy Awards. The Grammys have received lots of flack in recent years for industry politics (namely rewarding “Grammy Darlings” just because someone on the board favors them as opposed to who actually put out better music). They have been criticized for snubbing Beyonce multiple times for Album of the Year (but using her brand to attract viewers and dangling the promise of a win only for it to be snatched in real time), and of course the controversy around “Best New Artist.” Several winners in the last five years had already released one or multiple albums prior to winning the award. The rule has never made sense because they have competed against artists who are actually new to the industry.
The Recording Academy
has introduced more rules and amendments that may or may not improve the winning pool, such as decreasing the number of songs you have to write to be considered Songwriter of the Year, and reinforcing the traditional sound of R&B in the “Best Traditional R&B Performance” category—a rule that potentially drives a wedge within the R&B community, as people like SZA have adapted and modernized the genre. A seriously head scratching change is moving the “Best Remixed Recording Category” from the engineering/produced category exclusively into the “Dance/ Electronic category”. Hip-Hop is notorious for remixing sounds and to place remixes solely in the EDM music lane will inevitably leave out a lot of Black producers and engineers. It will certainly be interesting to see how artists react and speak out against the continued discriminatory process of The Recording Academy. All of these grievances aside, people still look forward to watching and judging the awards come February 2nd. (The 2025 Grammy eligibility period runs from September 16, 2023 - August 30, 2024 and the final votes will be cast December 12, 2024 to January 4, 2025).
Let’s start off with the Big Four categories because here is where all the tears and drama lie…
The Record of the Year category
(for the production, arrangement and general performance of a song) includes the usual mix of Pop/Top 40 hits,save for an entry by Kendrick Lamar. Nominees are The Beatles –“Now and Then”, Beyonce - “Texas Hold Em”, Sabrina Carpenter”Espresso”, Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us”, Charli XCX -”360”, Billie Eilish- “Birds of a Feathe because he feels he’s aged out of rap music, r”, Chappell Roan - “Good Luck Babe” and Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone“Fortnight”.
The obvious winner here is Espresso, but what a win it would be for us, for L.A. HipHop if Kendrick won.
Things start to get weird in the Album of the Year category. We have Andre 3000 nominated for his flute album, New Blue Sun. When Andre 3000 informed fans this album would be purely instrumental, many fans were disappointed. He explained that he felt he had aged out of rap. Andre admitted that he’s not exactly an expert flautist, which definitely shows on the track. Why his album isn’t being considered in classic contemporary, jazz or another instrumental-heavy category is confusing. He’s up against heavy hitters who typically dominate this category such as Beyonce (“Cowboy Carter”), Taylor Swift (“The Tortured Poet’s Department”), and Billie Eilish (“Hit Me Hard and Soft”).
Other contenders are Charli XCX for “Brat,” newcomer Chapelle Roan for “Chappell Roan: The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess” and Jacob Collier for “Djesse Volume 4.” If Andre 3000 wins, stuff will hit the fan. It will be as outrageous as when Esperanza Spalding won Best New Artist over Justin Bieber in 2010 or when Beck won Album of the Year over Beyonce’s self-titled album. If Beyonce wins, people will claim it’s only because Jay Z gave an impassioned speech at this year’s Grammys, questioning how his wife could be the most Grammynominated person in history and yet never win for “Album of the Year.” If Taylor wins, Beyonce fans will complain that Swift is mediocre at best, yet continues to win awards that they don’t feel she’s earned. As an occasional Taylor Swift listener, I am confident in stating that The Tortured Poet’s Department is far from her best work. Most people of a certain age (30 and younger) like Billie Eilish so that would be a nice and neutral win. But Sabrina Carpenter, who is nominated for her Short’ n’ Sweet album, dominated the spring and summer and is still actively blazing the charts. It would make the most sense for her to win. No matter how you slice it, this is going to be a contentious award showyet again.
Surviving Trump Requires Self Care
If We’re Going to Survive Another Trump Presidency, We Must Learn to Care for Ourselves.
By Maya Mackey
Let’s face it. The election results are still daunting. and it’s more clear than ever that we are all going to need to take care of ourselves. Our bodies, our communities and our mental health are all at stake right now. In order to maintain even a modicum of sanity, we must learn how to fill up our physical, mental and emotional cups, and keep them filled.
The National Institute of Wellness defines wellness as “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful (fulfilling) existence.”
Pfizer adds to that definition, “Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving.”
I love Pfizer’s emphasis on practicing healthy habits because oftentimes, self care is talked about in a frivolous capitalistic way or as something that we’re all innately an expert in. Reframing self care as a practice helps us to take the pressure off and release perfectionism.
But how do you know what you need? How do you know what personal life requirements you should have in order to respect your peace and honor your capacity (that’s called boundaries). You want to take an audit of your own life. What do you spend the most time thinking about? Is there a gap in the ways you currently spend your time and the ways you want to spend your time?? There is often a disconnect between our actual life habits and our desired lifestyle.
Other questions to ponder:
•How/what do you spend your money on? What are the patterns in
Continued from page 5: Grammy...
Song of the Year (an award given to the actual songwriters) includes the most egregious submission yet. Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was released on August 16th (technically making the eligibility deadline) but really only got popular in mid-September. The single has sold less than 90,000 units, which is terrible for artists of their caliber. Its success has mostly come from streaming, but even then, it doesn’t hold a candle to Espresso, the song that will not quit no matter how annoying it is. It also didn’t move pop culture like Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” (another contender in this category). A Bar Song (Tipsy) has been the number 1 song on Billboard Charts for 17 weeks (and it’s only the second Country influence performed by a Black man in history). Even Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish and Sabrine Carpenter’s “Please, Please, Please” make more sense in this category than Bruno and Gaga. I suppose the Grammy voters line of
how you utilize your finances?
•For whom and what do you show up for without hesitation?
•If you were forced to live in isolation and disconnected from all humans, what would you need in order to still be ok mentally and emotionally? In this scenario, let’s pretend food, water and shelter are already given to you.
•What upsets you?
•When do you feel most at peace?
You can also identify what your capacity is by noticing when you feel stressed out or irritated. If you find yourself always being “short” with folks, coming home exhausted from work every day, or stewing in resentment days after you’ve had an interaction with someone, you know that there’s a boundary issue. If it
costs you your peace, it costs too much!
Additionally, some considerations for practicing basic self care are to eat well. Budget properly so you know how much you can effectively spend on groceries and make the time for meal prep. This will help ensure that your intention to eat better is actually realized. Eating well gives you the energy needed to function properly at work–without falling asleep at our workstations or snapping at our co-workers.
Getting 6-8 hours of sleep every night will help you wake up feeling rested and more alert.
reasoning that since this award is about lyrics and composition, they should be honored. It is a touching love song and Bruno and Gaga are both known for their pens but it still hasn’t been out long enough for me. Plus Willow Smith and Megan the Stallion have put out some lyrically adept stuff all year. Even Tori Kelly who released a phenomenal album this year has songs that I feel like make sense for this category. No shade, I love both artists and it goes without saying how talented they are but if they win this one, I’ll know someone on their team is paying off the big wigs.
Rounding out the Big Four drama is the Best New Artist category with Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Raye, Chapell Roan, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, Benson Boome and Khruangbin as contenders. Again, Carpenter is a shoe in, although Chapell Roan is popular with Gen Alpha and Gen Z and Doechii is gaining support and popularity
Exercise! You may not feel like it, but this is vital to your mental and physical health. Exercising actually betters your mental health because physical movement releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good. Going to the gym, walking in the park or around the block, or working out to a fitness class on YouTube are all beneficial.
If you can, practice the big three–eat, sleep, and exercise well–on a daily basis. If you practice the big three while also doing some personal inventory around what your life requirements need to be in order to feel sane, you’ll be on your way to becoming a self-care guru.
These next four years are going to be even wilder than the last four. It will take all of us to be in good mental, physical and spiritual shape to build a greater coalition for a more just, more inclusive, more progressive world. But before we can save the world, we must learn to save ourselves.
Please, dear reader, take good care of yourself!
with Black Millennials (She’s also the newest member of TDE - Top Dawg Entertainment—the label that created rap juggernaut Kendrick Lamar).
The R&B categories also look crazy. In a year where Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Flo Milli, Tyla, Chloe, Willow, Tori Kelly, Normani and FLO all put out great music, the nominations for Best R&B song looks grim. There are choices that don’t reflect the best of the artist’s work and a lot of deserved people were snubbed. In fact, Tyla was left out of all the nominations. It’s truly blasphemous, considering how impactful her lead single, “Water” is. Her entire album received both critical and popular acclaim. She swept the VMAs and BET Awards, so the Grammys’ silence is deafening.
The Rap categories fared a bit better with recognition of Cardi B’s growth and of course Kendrick Lamar and Future, who started the
greatest rap beef in history. Glorilla also gets the props she deserves with two nominations for ”Yea Glo!”. The craziest suggestion on this category is J. Cole’s “Might Delete Later.”
The stain on his name after shooting bullets then tucking his tail during the Kendrick vs. Drake wave should erase this era. He can circle back next year. The other snubs include Willow in the jazz categories (she’s only nominated for the engineering of her groundbreaking album, “Empathogen”). The good news is that Beyonce is nominated several times in the country categories after being threatened out of the category twice in 2016 and again this year. I hope Bey wins them all and pisses off MAGA country fans royally. This year’s Grammys will be less enthused as last year’s I imagine, but there is still a chance of some really groundbreaking decisions. Tune in on February 2nd to see how it all unfolds.
Continued from page 1:
Produce. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Los Angeles Rams,
from Inglewood, so anything that I can do to help somebody from Inglewood
to our mission since the 1980s. We’re proud to stand alongside the city to
and the Los Angeles Chargers also lent their support to ensure a smooth and successful distribution.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, members of the City Council, and Hollywood Park executives joined forces with more than 60 community and corporate volunteers to distribute the items. Reacting to the event’s success, Mayor Butts said, “The essence of a community is shown when we share our prosperity. Thanksgiving is a time to show our gratitude to
Continued from page 1: Black Women...
to end or repeal Obamacare, reinstate racial profiling by police through the stop-and-frisk practice, and execute mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, among other policies. Additionally, he is considering a national abortion ban.
“Why do we keep screaming, ‘equality, equality, equality’ when they don’t want to be our equals?” one woman asked in a YouTube video titled, “Black Women Rest and Mind Your Business” by Your Wellness Era. The channel owned by Tiffany Celeste advocates for self-care.
From Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman to Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, and now Kamala Harris, Black women have championed the rights and causes of literally every marginalized group in America, including, civil rights, economic equality, affirmative action, voting rights, abortion rights, police reform, and same-sex equality. They have helped to pave the way to achieve access to the many liberties that people
one another, and it’s a privilege to continue this tradition of supporting our families.
For the first time, this year’s event welcomed local hip-hop legend Mack 10 as a sponsor. A longtime supporter of Inglewood’s community initiatives, Mack 10 received a key to the city earlier this year in recognition of his contributions. Reflecting on his involvement in the Turkey Giveaway, Mack 10 shared, “Some of these families really need help, so this event is important because it’s simply putting food on people’s tables. I’m
have today. With so many gaining from their support, yet abandoning them in the polls, Black women have taken off their “marching boots,” choosing to narrow their focus on themselves, their families and other Black women.
So, what does this mean for the rest of America? Don’t count on Black women to show up in force at your rallies, or donate their time to your causes. The attitude now is to let others fend for themselves. They tried to warn people about the dangers of a second Trump presidency. Now, they want to be left alone to mind their own business.
While Latinos cite the economy as the reason they voted for Donald Trump, Black women and some other Latinos say they missed the big picture. A vote for Trump is a vote against their own interests. Instead of tariffs punishing other countries, as Trump has implied, the policy will actually backfire and hurt consumers. The economy will get worse under
out, I’m going to do it.”
Corporate sponsors also echoed the importance of giving back. John Dean, President of PepsiCo Beverages North America, West Division, shared, “For the fourth consecutive year, we are excited to be a part of this drive that makes a positive impact on local families as they prepare to celebrate this holiday season.”
Donald Goodman, Founder and CEO of Don Lee Farms, added, “Giving back to Inglewood has been essential
Trump.
The Rest Era is about more than political and community engagement. It is an extension of the collective need to take a break from being the sole breadwinner, nurturer, advocate, and struggling career woman. It extends to self-care, letting go of the Superwoman façade. One woman in Celeste’s video cautioned viewers not to help “Becky,” (a nickname for white women) fix the copy machine at work. Do only what you’re paid to do and go home.
“Clock out for the rest of the year. I want us to be radical about our rest. We’ve done what we need to do,” Celeste said, addressing Black women “who feel discouraged and are tired of being let down. It’s time for Black women to take off their capes. It’s time to rest and let someone else step up to the plate.”
This election has been a lightning rod of division – not just between Harris and Trump supporters, but within families, among friends, co-workers,
make this event impactful for those we proudly call our neighbors.” The giveaway has grown substantially over its 10-year history, with Hollywood Park serving as the venue for the past four years. For many families, the event represents not just a source of Thanksgiving staples but a reminder of the strength of community and the spirit of giving that Inglewood has consistently embodied this time of year.
church members and classmates. Trump has successfully helped to divide this nation even further than before, pitting blacks against Latinos, men against women, and the educated against the uneducated.
While the “rest” metaphor may suggest withdrawing from political engagement, it’s not about retiring. It’s about being more intentional about who to trust and who to help. Time will tell if the Rest Era is a temporary reaction to the recent election or a movement that grows to the level of Women’s Liberation. Regardless, opting out of political turmoil to protect your mental and emotional health is something more women— regardless of race—should do. There is a lot to be said for making yourself a priority. The best way to demonstrate your value to others is to first value yourself It’s a new era for Black women, a resurgence of the sisterhood. I’m so here for it.
