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January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 5• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

TOLU EKISOLA (EMC) AS PRISCILLA THE MOST SPECTACULARLY LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON FIREHOUSE WRITTEN BY Ravaged PULITZER illness PRIZE WINNER, by JAMES IJAMES and cared for by the very DIRECTED BY slaves that PIRRONNE YOUSEFZADEH will be free the moment she MARCH dies, Martha 8-31, 2024 Washington’s ALAN fever dreams PAGE haunted AUDITORIUM | are MIXED BLOOD by a range of

c h a r a c t e r s , and broken from Queen p r o m i s e s . C h a r l o t t e Written by and George P u l i t z e r Washington, winner James to a present- Ijames, this day trial biting satire l a w y e r , examines building up to h i s t o r y ’ s a reckoning impact on with family, p r e s e n t - d a y l e g a c y , systems.

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January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024

Vol. 51 No. 5• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Minneapolis suburb where Daunte Wright was killed rejects police reform policy on traffic stops

Left to right: His twin brother, Rashad Cobb, his mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, Danielle Cobb, his sister and across the table is Octavia Ruffin, his sister.

Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan charged in death of Ricky Cobb II Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan has been charged with three criminal counts for shooting and killing 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II on July 31, 2023, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Wednesday. While deadly force by peace oﬃcers is justified in some circumstances, the criminal complaint alleges the circumstances in this case did not justify the use of deadly force. The criminal complaint charges three counts: second-degree unintentional murder, firstdegree assault, and seconddegree manslaughter. While a number of factors impact a sentence upon conviction, the presumptive sentence under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines for a seconddegree unintentional murder conviction is 128-180 months.

“Our hearts are with Ricky Cobb’s family today, who are grieving an unimaginable loss,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “I know that they are devastated and will continue to feel this loss for the rest of their lives. Cobb’s family members revealed the depth grief and loss in a broadcast interview on The Conversation with Al McFarlane, last October. His mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, said “Ricky Cobb was a really wonderful young Black man that worked. He wasn’t a street runner or problem for society. He was a wonderful family man. He was an excellent son to me. He brought joy into my life. You could see the lightness of his smile. He was a well-dressed person. He just wanted justice and liberty for his life. Now we have to go for justice and

Hennepin County Attorney, Mary Moriarty

Human rights advocate, Spike Moss

liberty for the loss of his life. And over a traﬃc stop? It’s ludicrous.” “Rick always worked. He took care of his family. He’s a father of five and he’ll never get the chance to see them graduate,” she said

“He had a right to ask questions. Where is it asking and answering a question costs your life?” In Wednesday’s statement to the press,

The city council of the Minneapolis suburb where Daunte Wright, a Black man, was killed by police in a 2021 traffic stop has rejected a resolution that would have limited when officers can pull over drivers. The Brooklyn Center City Council rejected the measure on a 3-2 vote Monday, the Star Tribune reported. The proposed police reform policy would have prevented officers from stopping drivers solely for violations such as having inoperative windshield wipers, a cracked windshield, excessive window tinting, a noisy muffler, an improperly displayed or expired license plate or permit sticker, or for having broken or improperly used headlights, taillights or turn signals. Wright was pulled over in Brooklyn Center for having expired license tags and a dangling air freshener. He was shot when the officer, reaching for her Taser, instead grabbed her gun. Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, lambasted the council on Monday following the decision. “You guys are some sorry people, and people are going to die because you won’t do the right thing,” she said with tears flowing. “I have been fighting for three years. My son has been dead for two years and nine months and you say no to a policy that is going to protect people.” Before the vote,

AP Photo/Nicole Neri, File

Katie Bryant, Daunte Wright’s mother, is surrounded by community members and activists at the apartment building where activists say Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu lives after former officer Kim Potter was sentenced to two years in prison, Feb. 18, 2022, in Minneapolis. The city council of the Minneapolis suburb where Wright, a Black man, was killed by police in a 2021 traffic stop has rejected a resolution that would have limited when officers can pull over drivers. Mayor April Graves, who is also a council member, said the recommendations were the result of hours of research and many conversations with community, staﬀ and council. Graves and councilmember

WRIGHT 5

COBB II 4 Florida Gov. Ronald Desantis

Biden unveils new sweeping student loan debt relief Desantis was never a real measures, surpassing 3.7 million beneficiaries contender against Trump By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia President Biden continues to make significant strides in alleviating the student loan debt crisis, announcing the approval of debt cancellation for an additional 74,000 student loan borrowers. The latest action contributes to the record-breaking relief the administration has provided to more than 3.7 million Americans. Earlier this month, Biden announced the accelerated implementation of a crucial provision under the Student Aid for Voluntary Education (SAVE) plan, which the administration said has helped 3.6 million Americans by canceling their student debt. Biden said the plan aims to create a more aﬀordable student loan repayment structure while providing life-changing support to students and their families. “Today, my administration approved debt cancellation for another 74,000 student loan borrowers across the country, bringing the total number of people who have had their debt canceled under

Hobb servation Point

By Chuck Hobbs

my administration to over 3.7 million Americans through various actions,” Biden said in a statement on Jan. 19. The beneficiaries of the latest round of relief include nearly 44,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other public service professionals who have earned forgiveness after a decade of dedicated service. Additionally, close to 30,000 individuals who have been in repayment for at least 20 years without receiving relief through income-driven

repayment plans will now see their debts forgiven. Biden credited the success of these relief eﬀorts to the corrective measures taken to address broken student loan programs. He asserted that these fixes have removed barriers preventing borrowers from accessing the relief they were entitled to under the law. The president outlined the broader achievements of his administration in supporting students and borrowers,

including achieving the most significant increases in Pell Grants in over a decade, aimed at assisting families with incomes below approximately $60,000 per year. Other accomplishments include fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and introducing the most generous income-driven repayment plan in history, known as the

I2H

Untrained bystanders can administer drone-delivered naloxone, potentially saving lives of opioid overdose victims

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BIDEN 5

Hubris: noun, “excessive pride or self-confidence...” So, when I think of the word “hubris” these days, I immediately think of Florida Gov. Ronald Desantis! Less than a year ago, Desantis, in his hubris, believed that his dominant 2022 reelection win over Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist meant that he had a mandate that he could ride to the White House. Less than a year ago, Desantis, a lawyer by training, knew that former President Donald Trump was facing multiple indictments in multiple jurisdictions across America AND that Trump still remained popular among conservatives nationwide, but in his hubris, Desantis bet on himself as the MAGA alternative—a Trump

without the criminal and civil baggage if you will, one whose facility with conservative dogma would win over MAGA minds each time he spoke on Fox News or Newsmax. Well, Desantis was WRONG! If you have followed my writings for any length of time, then you know that I am no fan of Ron Desantis, Donald Trump, or any of the modern Republicans who have turned their versions of white”socalled” Evangelicalism into scythes that slice the civil rights of people of color, non-Christians, women, and the LGBTQ community. But even a year ago, I knew beyond ALL doubts that there was NO way on Earth that Desantis—or anyone else—could defeat Trump in a Republican primary. Why? Well, the simple answer is that Trump is a celebrity and in America, celebrity “trumps” policy talent more often than it doesn’t. The reality is that most people

DESANTIS

Sports

Tyler Wahl leads No. 13 Wisconsin in 61-59 win over rival Minnesota

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Page 4 • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Insight News

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Business More than $1 billion awarded to Minnesota, Wisconsin bridge Oﬃcials announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $1.06 billion in federal funding to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. “This is big news for Minnesota. This investment will make it possible for Minnesota and Wisconsin to rebuild a critical connection between our states that will foster regional economic growth, strengthen our national supply chains, and improve the safety and reliability of our transportation network,” Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. “This is a project that will serve hundreds of communities between our states.” Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in

the statement released by Walz’s oﬃce that this is “a transformational opportunity” for both states in bringing a key piece of infrastructure into the 21st century. “A new Blatnik Bridge means safer vehicle travel and better support for the billions of dollars in freight moving across the bridge each year,” Evers said. The bridge is an important freight and commercial connection between the Duluth-Superior Twin Ports and serves more than 33,000 vehicles per day, according to the statement. It is jointly owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. For more than 60 years, the bridge has linked

Duluth and Superior via Interstate 535 and US 53. It is also one of the largest marine links for U.S. trade with Canada — the top trade partner of Wisconsin, Minnesota and the United States — the statement said. The bridge replacement project will improve safety and accommodate oversize and overweight loads. The total cost for rebuilding the bridge is estimated to be $1.8 billion, according to the statement. Each state committed $400 million toward the project last year. Design work for the project, which will determine specifications and the shape the final project, is expected to begin this year. Once a final design is selected, construction could begin as early as next year.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit the John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge that connects Duluth, Minn., to Superior, Wis., March 2, 2022, in Superior, Wis. Officials announced Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $1.05 billion in federal funding to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between the two cities.

Our money united will unveil revolutionary technology to reshape consumer spending and foster economic equality

Revolutionizing economic equality: Our money united to launch the Black wall street spending ticker, transforming consumer spending and corporate accountability On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Our Money United will unveil the Black Wall Street Spending Ticker, a pioneering technology driving a consumer spending transformation with corporate accountability. The highly anticipated reveal of the Conscious Spending Platform is led by Friends of the Movement (FotM) Global, the Atlanta Black Chambers Foundation, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Original Black Wall Street (Greenwood-Tulsa Chamber), in collaboration with civil rights and social justice organizations nationwide. The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE), the largest Black incubator in the nation, will house the Black Wall Street Ticker. Pioneering as the pilot launch city, Atlanta is a conscious city and supporter of FotM. The Black Wall Street Spending Ticker is the first of the various conscious tickers representing ethnic groups visually showcasing the collective spending influence of conscious spending groups, casting a vigilant eye on global citizens while holding corporations accountable. Similar to the

Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA

Powering the Black Wall Street Ticker is the Voter Wallet, a tool that empowers consumers to align spending with their values and exercise their economic voting power. Nasdaq, The Black Wall Street Ticker, signifies a new era of transparency and responsibility, visually encapsulating the collective impact of consumers in the marketplace. The Black Wall Street Spending Ticker will meticulously monitor spending within the Black community and its allies, rewarding those actively contributing to closing the wealth gap. “As we unveil the Black Wall Street Spending Ticker, we’re not just tracking dollars, we’re tracking the

heartbeat of economic justice,” says Dr. Charles Champ Walker, Chief Economic Empowerment Oﬃcer of FotM Global. “This transformative initiative signals a shift where every conscious purchase becomes a vote for a more equitable and prosperous future. Together, through the power of our wallets, we are rewriting the narrative of economic empowerment and leaving an indelible mark on the path toward true equality.” Powering the Black Wall Street Ticker is the Voter Wallet, a tool that empowers

consumers to align spending with their values and exercise their economic voting power. The Voter Wallet connects consumers with a network of aligned conscious groups and merchants reporting aggregate spending data to the ticker. Seamlessly integrating spending, giving, and investments within each group, the Voter Wallet provides a real-time window into the tangible impact of contributions within one’s community. The Voter Wallet will support Black and ally businesses while

helping to close the wealth gap. The unveiling of the first Black Wall Street Ticker will be on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE). RICE is located in the heart of the Atlanta University Center at 504 Fair St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313. For more information on Friends of the Movement, Our Money United, the Black Wall Street Spending Ticker, or the Voter Wallet, visit http://www. ourmoneyunited.com or contact press@ourmoneyunited.com. Ready to become a Friend of the Movement? Visit www. FotMGlobal.com to take the pledge. About Our Money United Our Money United is a pledged-based grassroots campaign led by Friends of the Movement and the nation’s top civil and civic rights organizations to educate consumers on the power of their spending, giving, and investing. The campaign will highlight and reward Corporations that have become friends of the movement and measure their progress on eliminating barriers to economic inclusion. Visit http://www.ourmoneyunited. com for more information about Our Money United. About Friends of the Movement (FotM) Global Friends of the Movement Global (FotM), is a conscious spending platform

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From 3 Hennepin prosecutor Moriarty said “A critical component of the work of the Minnesota State Patrol is engaging with drivers during motor vehicle stops. This is something that State Troopers do every day, and, as a result, they receive extensive training on how to do so safely and effectively. Trooper Londregan did not follow this training. These charges are appropriate based on the thorough investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and attorneys in our office. This matter is now an active criminal prosecution.” Moriarty said Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is not seeking bail, but will ask the court to require that Londregan surrender his passport and firearms and to follow all conditions set by the court. During the broadcast interview last fall, Cobb’s twin brother, Rashad Cobb said his twin had attended “a celebration for our cousin’s wedding. Later, he told me he was going to call his girl so

where conscious spending converges with cutting-edge technology to usher in a social and economic change like never before. In an era where every dollar wields the potential to shape our collective future, FotM is at the forefront of revolutionizing how we spend, give, and invest. FotM’s mission is to empower individuals and groups to make a lasting impact by voting with their wallets at the cash register and endorsing policymakers aligned with their values through donation votes. FotM proudly introduces the World’s first Conscious Spending Platform – the Voter Wallet, a groundbreaking concept that sets us apart as pioneers in the field. FotM believes money should be a force for good, not just a transaction. Step into a new era of conscious spending, where every purchase or donation becomes a potent instrument for positive transformation. FotM lives by the principle that what gets measured gets done. Tracking spending and giving, FotM will display it on the Black Wall Street Spending Tickers throughout the country fostering accountability for ourselves and corporations alike. FotM helps turn financial choices into a brighter future. Together, we redefine the possibilities of conscious consumerism, one transaction at a time. Visit http://www.fotmglobal.com for more information about Friends of the Movement Global.

he can talk to her on the way home.” He continued, “I answered the phone. She’s distraught, saying, ‘He just got shot by the police.’ I looked at my location because all my siblings, we got our locations on for each other for safety precautions and his location was stuck on 94. I had to get up and jump and get to the scene.” Spike Moss, human rights advocate, who arranged interview, said, when the head of the state patrol, Col. Matt Langer, met with the family in the days following the shooting death, “… at the end, the colonel said something I never heard a chief or anybody say. He acknowledged that that officer should have never pulled that gun and never fired that gun.” Moss called the fatal traffic stop “a bad reflection on the training for state patrol. Because how can one be standing at the driver’s door talking to him and the other one opened the passenger door and shoot in that direction where he could have killed the officer too?” “Unfortunately, for a taillight, a young man lost his life in the state of Minnesota, Moss said.

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Wright From 3

Biden From 3 SAVE plan, he said. Borrowers are encouraged to apply for this plan at studentaid.gov. In response to

Desantis From 3 don’t really care all that much about political pedantry; what folks care about is usually very personal, such as their income and their ability to buy goods and services. That’s why it ALWAYS has been about the economy and if times are good, the incumbent usually will get reelected. When times are tight, the opposite is true as the electorate will “throw the bums out” at first chance. Now, my last paragraph actually reveals one of the real dangers for Trump in his bid to reclaim the White House—the economy is relatively strong and inflation is decreasing! But when it comes to a primary race, Trump, from the minute he declared himself a candidate in 2022, was THE prohibitive Republican favorite because he is LOVED by the Republican masses, many of whom adore the aspects that I abhor about the man, such as his constant joke cracking, his irreverent “know-nothing” demeanor, and those four felony cases that he is facing ALL because he refused to concede the obvious— which is that he was whipped soundly by Joe Biden in 2020 and that he was NOT the

Insight News • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Page 5 Marquita Butler voted in favor of the resolution, but three other members — Dan Jerzak, Teneshia Kragness and Kris Lawrence-Anderson — voted against it. Asked for comment,

Jerzak and Kragness referred the AP to City Manager Reginald Edwards, who did not respond to an email and phone message. Lawrence-Anderson did not respond to a phone message.

challenges, including the Supreme Court’s decision on the student debt relief plan, Biden aﬃrmed the administration’s commitment to finding alternative paths to deliver relief to as many borrowers as possible, as quickly as possible. “From Day One of my administration, I vowed to improve the student

loan system so that higher education provides Americans with opportunity and prosperity, not the unmanageable burdens of student loan debt,” Biden asserted. “I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams.”

president anymore, thus, he had no rights to keep classified documents in his possession to show off to his friends. The Republican love for Trump was something that Desantis would have struggled to overcome even if he was a likable human being, but the truth is that Florida’s governor is stiff, robotic, and as naturally nasty as Trump—but without the poor form comedic element. If you have ever watched Desantis on stage, in interviews, or in private settings, you get the sense that he genuinely does not like interacting with people. Now, there are millions of Americans who are similarly introverted or uncomfortable in crowds, but those Americans are not seeking THE highest office in the land—one that requires human interaction without looking pressed, bored, or frustrated. When Desantis repeatedly snapped at a reporter last fall, when queried about his poor attitude on the trail in a later interview, he replied: “Like Popeye said, I am what I am...” Indeed, and as I often say, what Desantis comes off as is a smug jerk—one who talks down to people without a care in the world about how he comes across! Now, this may surprise my readers, but as a Democrat, Desantis’ presidential candidacy made me far more apprehensive

because so many moderate White Anglo Saxon Protestants who lean center right find that he has greater character than Donald Trump. That, and his relative youth would have been an asset against Joe Biden, one whose mental acuity, like Trump’s, is often questioned. Such is why I believe that at the end of this year, that Biden-Trump II will end in a Biden victory because moderates, particularly white women who are still frustrated by the end of Roe vs. Wade, will turn out for Biden. On the contrary, those other moderates who have disdain for Trump’s character— but not his politics—were VERY attracted to Desantis. Which leads me, for once, to both quote and thank Trump for this rare rhetorical gem, “Ron Desantis needs a personality transplant, but they don’t have those yet.” No, they do not—to Desantis’ national downfall, and to Biden’s benefit come November… Subscribe to Hobbservation Point By Chuck Hobbs · Hundreds of paid subscribers “ R e a l Politics in Real Time” Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.

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Caption: Nachito Herrera, Cuban American pianist, gives back to his roots, donating instruments to Havana’s National School of Music amid the U.S. embargo’s impact. Credit: YouTube (@BellyoftheBeastCuba)

Caption: Award-winning journalist, Liz Olivia Fernandez outside Washington’s Capitol Hill. Credit: Instagram

Liz Olivia Fernandez: Revelando verdades, narrativas GHVDÀDQWHV \ SXHQWHV HQWUH PXQGRV D WUDYpV GHO SHULRGLVPR Por Liz Olivia Fernandez Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido del inglés por Yoji Senna

Spanish Text

En el universo del periodismo y la narrativa, hay individuos cuyas narrativas trascienden fronteras, ofreciendo una perspectiva única que desafía nociones preconcebidas. Liz Olivia Fernandez, periodista cubana y presentadora de Belly of the Beast Film Production Company, con sede en Estados Unidos, es una de esas narradoras. En una conversación perspicaz con Al McFarlane, comparte su viaje, arroja luz sobre las complejidades de la historia GH &XED \ GH¿HQGH OD VROLGDULdad global. “Estoy feliz de conocerte y presentarte a Liz Olivia Fernandez. Ella nació y vive en La Habana, Cuba”, anuncia Al McFarlane, preparando el terreno para un diálogo que promete profundidad y visión. Fernández, graduada de

la principal escuela de periodismo de Cuba, la Universidad de La Habana, se embarcó en un camino único que la llevó a convertirse en la presentadora de la serie de documentales de Belly of the Beast, “The War on Cuba”. Sus elogios, incluyendo el Gracie Award 2021 a la mejor presentadora de vídeo en línea y el Telly Award 2022 a la mejor serie de documentales en línea, UHÀHMDQ HO LPSDFWR GH VX WUDEDjo. Pero más allá de los premios, es la sustancia de su narrativa la que cautiva. Al discutir su enfoque de la narrativa, Fernández presenta el concepto de “periodismo de paracaídas”. Es un término que utiliza para describir a periodistas de países del hemisferio occidental, como Estados Unidos o Canadá, que “saltan y aparecen en un país del Caribe” para explicar fenómenos o problemas. Sin embargo, Fernández, una mujer negra de Cuba, que trabaja para un medio de comunicación estadounidense, está

involucrada en lo que ella llama “lo contrario”. Explica: “Estoy tratando de explicar y profundizar en lo que impulsa la política de Estados Unidos contra mi país”. Fernandez ve su papel no como un extraño tratando de interpretar a Cuba, sino como un insider navegando por los entresijos de las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y Cuba. La conexión personal de Fernández con el impacto de la política estadounidense en Cuba se hace evidente cuando discute la historia de su familia. “Mi madre nació bajo las sanciones, yo nací bajo las sanciones y tengo casi 30 años. Si tengo un hijo en cinco años, tal vez ella también nazca bajo las sanciones.” Se enfrenta al error en torno al deseo de algunos cubanoamericanos de devolver Cuba a las condiciones previas a 1959. Basándose en la experiencia de su familia, responde: “No sé lo TXH VLJQL¿FD SDUD HOORV SHUR SXHGR GHFLU OR TXH VLJQL¿FD SDUD mi familia”. Fernández pinta un cuadro vívido de las luchas pre-

vias a la revolución de su abuela, haciendo hincapié en los profundos cambios traídos por la revolución social de Cuba. Leyenda: Los partidarios del gobierno marchan en La Habana, Cuba, el 11 de julio de 2021, poco antes de una protesta anti-gobierno. Crédito: Politico ( Ismael Francisco / AP Photo) Tocando las protestas del 11 de julio en Cuba, Fernández expresa el sentimiento del pueblo cubano. “La gente está cansada, enfadada, desesperada. Quieren soluciones. Quieren respuestas. La política de Estados Unidos está muy lejos de nosotros.” La frustración se deriva no sólo de los retos a los que se enfrentan, sino también de la percepción de que la política estadounidense exacerba estas GL¿FXOWDGHV Ella aclara: “Es como si este gobierno, el gobierno de Estados Unidos, estuviera tratando de cerrar nuestro gobierno durante 60 años, y la gente estuviera sufriendo las consecuencias”. Un aspecto del paisaje

en evolución de Cuba que toca Fernández es el creciente sector privado. Aunque reconoce las oportunidades que esto aporta, Fernández también es cautelosa con los retos que representa, sobre todo para los grupos marginados. “Estoy feliz por ello, pero al mismo tiempo, estoy un poco ansioso por ello porque también viene con muchos retos”. 0HQFLRQD HVSHFt¿FDmente las preocupaciones sobre los derechos de los trabajadores en el sector privado y la necesidad de garantizar que el progreso realizado en áreas como la igualdad racial y de género no se vea comprometido. En medio de discusiones sobre las luchas y aspiraciones de Cuba, Fernández enfatiza la historia y la conexión compartida entre negros estadounidenses y cubanos. “Creo que Cuba es un ejemplo de cómo es posible, una revolución social en un país multirracial como Cuba.” Pide conciencia y comprensión mutuas, animando a las

personas a viajar a Cuba, conectarse con su gente y reconocer los temas comunes en sus historias. En sus propias palabras, “Si el pueblo negro del mundo no está bien, el pueblo de Estados Unidos no puede estar bien, SRUTXH HVR VLJQL¿FD TXH ODV políticas que vienen de este país están perjudicando a los negros en todo el mundo, no sólo en Cuba”. En un mundo a menudo dividido por fronteras e ideologías, Liz Olivia Fernandez se destaca como un puente entre naciones y comunidades. A través de su trabajo, desafía las narrativas, promueve la comSUHQVLyQ \ GH¿HQGH XQ PXQGR más justo e interconectado. Mientras continúa navegando por el complejo terreno de las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y Cuba, sus palabras se hacen eco de una verdad universal: la importancia de reconocer nuestra humanidad compartida y trabajar colectivamente hacia un futuro mejor.

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%\ /L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQGH] -RXUQDOLVW In the realm of journalism and storytelling, there are individuals whose narratives transcend ERUGHUV R൵HULQJ D XQLTXH SHUspective that challenges preconceived notions. Liz Olivia Fernandez, a Cuban journalist and anchor for the US-based Belly of the Beast Film Production Company, is one such storyteller. In an insightful conversation with Al McFarlane, she shares her journey, sheds light on the complexities of Cuba’s story, and advocates for global solidarity. “I am pleased to meet and

to present to you Liz Olivia Fernandez. She was born and lives in Havana, Cuba,” announces Al McFarlane, setting the stage for a dialogue that promises depth and insight. Fernandez, a graduate of Cuba’s premier journalism school, University of Havana, embarked on a unique path that led her to become the anchor of Belly of the Beast’s documentary series, “The War on Cuba.” Her accolades, including the 2021 Gracie Award for best online video host and the 2022 Telly Award for best online GRFXPHQWDU\ VHULHV UHÀHFW WKH impact of her work. But beyond the awards, it’s the substance of her storytelling that captivates. In discussing her approach to storytelling, Fernandez introduces the concept of “parachute journalism.” It’s a term she uses to describe journalists from Western Hemisphere countries, like the United States or Canada, who “jump and show up in a country in the Caribbean” to explain phenom-

ena or issues. However, Fernandez, a Black woman from Cuba, working for a US media outlet, is engaged in what she terms the “other way around.” She explains, “I’m trying to explain and go deep about what drives the US policy against my country.” Fernandez sees her role not as an outsider attempting to interpret Cuba but as an insider navigating the intricacies of US-Cuba relations. Fernandez’s personal connection to the impact of US policy on Cuba becomes evident when she discusses her family’s history. “My mom was born under the sanctions, I was born under the sanctions, and I’m almost 30. If I have a child LQ ¿YH \HDUV PD\EH VKH ZLOO EH born under the sanctions too.” She confronts the misconception surrounding the desire of some Cuban Americans to return Cuba to pre-1959 conditions. Drawing on her family’s experience, she counters, “I don’t know what that means

for them, but I can tell you what that means for my family.” Fernandez paints a vivid picture of her grandmother’s pre-revolution struggles, emphasizing the profound changes brought about by Cuba’s social revolution. Touching on the July 11th protests in Cuba, Fernandez expresses the sentiment of the Cuban people. “People are tired, angry, desperate. They want solutions. They want answers. US policy is too far away from us.” The frustration stems not just from the challenges faced but also from the perception that the US policy exacerbates these GL൶FXOWLHV She elucidates, “It’s like this government, US government, is trying to shut down our government for 60 years, and SHRSOH DUH VX൵HULQJ WKH FRQVHquences.” One aspect of Cuba’s evolving landscape that Fernandez touches upon is the growing private sector. While she acknowledges the opportuni-

ties it brings, Fernandez is also wary of the challenges it poses, particularly for marginalized groups. “I’m happy for that, but at the same time, I am kind of anxious about that because it’s also coming with a lot of challenges.” 6KH VSHFL¿FDOO\ PHQWLRQV concerns about workers’ rights in the private sector and the need to ensure that the progress made in areas such as racial and gender equality is not compromised. Amidst discussions about Cuba’s struggles and aspirations, Fernandez emphasizes the shared history and connection between Black Americans and Cubans. “I think that Cuba is an example of how it’s possible, a social revolution in a multiracial country as Cuba is.” She calls for mutual awareness and understanding, encouraging people to travel to Cuba, connect with its people, and recognize the common

threads in their histories. In her own words, “If the Black people in the world are not okay, the people in the United States cannot be okay because that means that the policies that come from this country are harming Black people around the world, not just in Cuba.” In a world often divided by borders and ideologies, Liz Olivia Fernandez stands as a bridge between nations and communities. Through her work, she challenges narratives, promotes understanding, and advocates for a more just and interconnected world. As she continues to navigate the complex terrain of US-Cuba relations, her words echo a universal truth — the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and working collectively towards a better future.

Liz Olivia Fernandez: Revelando Verdades, Narrativas 'HVDÀDGRUDV H 3RQWHV HQWUH 0XQGRV DWUDYpV GR MRUQDOLVPR Por Liz Olivia Fernandez Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido do original em ingles por Yoji Senna

Portuguese Text

No universo do jornalismo e da narrativa, há indivíduos cujas narrativas transcendem fronteiras, oferecendo uma perspectiva ~QLFD TXH GHVD¿D QRo}HV SUH-

concebidas. Liz Olivia Fernandez, jornalista cubana e âncora da Belly of the Beast Film Production Company, com sede nos EUA, é uma dessas contadoras de histórias. Em uma conversa perspicaz com Al McFarlane, ela FRPSDUWLOKD VXD MRUQDGD ODQoD luz sobre as complexidades da história de Cuba e defende a

solidariedade global. “Estou feliz em conhecer e apresentar a você Liz Olivia Fernandez. Ela nasceu e vive em Havana, Cuba”, anuncia Al McFarlane, preparando o terreno para um diálogo que promete profundidade e visão. Fernandez, formada pela principal escola de jornalismo de Cuba, a Universidade

de Havana, embarcou em um caminho único que a levou a se tornar a âncora da série de documentários de Belly of the Beast, “The War on Cuba”. Seus elogios, incluindo o Gracie Award 2021 de melhor apresentadora de vídeo online e o Telly Award 2022 de melhor série de documentários online, UHÀHWHP R LPSDFWR GH VHX WUD-

balho. Mas além dos prêmios, é a substância de sua narrativa que cativa. Ao discutir sua abordagem à narrativa, Fernandez apresenta o conceito de “jornalismo de paraquedas”. É um termo que ela usa para descrever jornalistas de países do Hemisfério Ocidental, como os Estados Unidos ou o Canadá,

que “pulam e aparecem em um país do Caribe” para explicar fenômenos ou problemas. No entanto, Fernandez, uma mulher negra de Cuba, trabalhando para um meio de FRPXQLFDomR GRV (8$ HVWi HQvolvida no que ela chama de “o contrário”. Ela explica: “Estou tentando explicar e aprofundar o que impulsiona a política dos

insightnews.com EUA contra o meu país”. Fernandez vê seu papel não como um estranho tentando interpretar Cuba, mas como um insider navegando pelos meandros das UHODo}HV (8$ &XED A conexão pessoal de Fernandez com o impacto da política dos EUA em Cuba se torna evidente quando ela discute a história de sua família. “Minha PmH QDVFHX VRE DV VDQo}HV HX QDVFL VRE DV VDQo}HV H WHQKR quase 30 anos. Se eu tiver um ¿OKR HP FLQFR DQRV WDOYH] HOD QDVoD VRE DV VDQo}HV WDPEpP ´ Ela confronta o equívoco em torno do desejo de alguns cubano-americanos de retornar

22, 2024 - January 2024 • Page 7 Insight News • January 29, February28, 4, 2024 &XED jV FRQGLo}HV SUp Com base na experiência de sua família, ela responde: “Eu não VHL R TXH LVVR VLJQL¿FD SDUD HOHV mas posso dizer o que isso sigQL¿FD SDUD PLQKD IDPtOLD´ Fernandez pinta um quadro vívido das lutas pré-revROXomR GH VXD DYy HQIDWL]DQGR DV SURIXQGDV PXGDQoDV WUD]LGDV SHOD UHYROXomR VRFLDO GH &XED Tocando nos protestos de 11 de julho em Cuba, Fernandez expressa o sentimento do povo cubano. “As pessoas estão cansadas, com raiva, desesperaGDV (OHV TXHUHP VROXo}HV (OHV querem respostas. A política dos EUA está muito longe de nós.”

$ IUXVWUDomR GHFRUUH QmR DSHQDV GRV GHVD¿RV HQIUHQWDGRV PDV WDPEpP GD SHUFHSomR GH TXH D política dos EUA exacerba essas GL¿FXOGDGHV Ela elucida: “É como se este governo, o governo dos EUA, estivesse tentando fechar nosso governo por 60 anos, e as pessoas estivessem sofrendo as consequências”. Um aspecto da paisagem HP HYROXomR GH &XED TXH )HUnandez toca é o crescente setor SULYDGR (PERUD HOD UHFRQKHoD as oportunidades que isso traz, Fernandez também é cautelosa FRP RV GHVD¿RV TXH UHSUHVHQta, particularmente para grupos

marginalizados. “Estou feliz por isso, mas, ao mesmo tempo, estou meio ansioso com isso porque também está vindo com muitos GHVD¿RV ´ (OD PHQFLRQD HVSHFL¿FDPHQWH SUHRFXSDo}HV VREUH RV direitos dos trabalhadores no setor privado e a necessidade de garantir que o progresso feito em áreas como igualdade racial e de gênero não seja comprometido. (P PHLR D GLVFXVV}HV VREUH DV OXWDV H DVSLUDo}HV GH Cuba, Fernandez enfatiza a história e a conexão compartilhadas entre negros americanos e

cubanos. “Acho que Cuba é um exemplo de como é possível, uma UHYROXomR VRFLDO HP XP SDtV multirracial como Cuba.” Ela pede consciência e compreensão mútuas, incentivando as pessoas a viajar para Cuba, se conectar com seu povo e reconhecer os tópicos comuns em suas histórias. Em suas próprias palavras, “Se o povo negro do mundo não está bem, o povo dos Estados Unidos não pode estar EHP SRUTXH LVVR VLJQL¿FD TXH as políticas que vêm deste país estão prejudicando os negros em todo o mundo, não apenas

em Cuba”. Em um mundo muitas vezes dividido por fronteiras e ideologias, Liz Olivia Fernandez se destaca como uma ponte HQWUH QDo}HV H FRPXQLGDGHV $Wravés de seu trabalho, ela desa¿D QDUUDWLYDV SURPRYH D FRPpreensão e defende um mundo mais justo e interconectado. Enquanto ela continua a navegar pelo complexo terreno GDV UHODo}HV (8$ &XED VXDV palavras ecoam uma verdade universal — a importância de reconhecer nossa humanidade compartilhada e trabalhar coleWLYDPHQWH HP GLUHomR D XP IXturo melhor.

/L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQGH] 'pYRLOHU GHV YpULWpV UHPHWWUH HQ TXHVWLRQ GHV UpFLWV HW UHOLHU OHV PRQGHV JUkFH DX MRXUQDOLVPH Par Liz Olivia Fernandez Translation By Macdonald Anyanwu, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduit de l’espagnol par Yoji Senna

French Text

Dans le domaine du journalisme et du storytelling, il existe des individus dont les récits transcendent les frontières, offrant une perspective unique qui remet en question les idées SUpFRQoXHV /L] 2OLYLD )HUnandez, journaliste cubaine et présentatrice de la société américaine Belly of the Beast Film Production Company, est l’une de ces conteuses. Dans une conversation perspicace avec Al McFarlane, elle partage son parcours, met en lumière les complexités de l’histoire de Cuba et plaide pour la solidarité mondiale. “Je suis heureux de rencontrer et de vous présenter Liz Olivia Fernandez. Elle est née et vit à La Havane, Cuba”, annonce Al McFarlane, ouvrant la voie à un dialogue qui promet profondeur et perspicacité. Fernandez, diplômée de

la première école de journalisme de Cuba, l’Université de La Havane, s’est lancée dans un chemin unique qui l’a amenée à devenir la présentatrice de la série documentaire Belly of the Beast, “La guerre contre Cuba”. Ses distinctions, notamment le Gracie Award 2021 de la meilleure animatrice de vidéo en ligne et le Telly Award 2022 de la meilleure série documenWDLUH HQ OLJQH UHÀqWHQW O¶LPSDFW de son travail. Mais au-delà des récompenses, c’est la substance de son récit qui captive. En discutant de son approche de la narration, Fernandez introduit le concept de « journalisme parachute ». C’est un terme qu’elle utilise pour décrire les journalistes des pays de l’hémisphère occidental, comme les États-Unis ou le Canada, qui « sautent et se présentent dans un pays des Caraïbes » pour expliquer des phénomènes ou des problèmes. Cependant, Fernandez, une femme noire de Cuba qui travaille pour un média américain, est engagée dans ce qu’elle

appelle « l’inverse ». Elle explique : “J’essaie d’expliquer et d’approfondir ce qui motive la politique américaine contre mon pays”. Fernandez considère son rôle non pas comme celui d’une étrangère tentant d’interpréter Cuba, mais comme celui d’une initiée naviguant dans les subtilités des relations américano-cubaines. Le lien personnel de Fernandez avec l’impact de la politique américaine sur Cuba devient évident lorsqu’elle évoque l’histoire de sa famille. “Ma mère est née sous les sanctions, je suis né sous les sanctions et j’ai presque 30 ans. Si j’ai un enfant dans cinq ans, peut-être qu’elle naîtra aussi sous les sanctions.” Elle s’attaque à l’idée fausse entourant le désir de certains Cubains-Américains de ramener Cuba aux conditions d’avant 1959. S’appuyant sur l’expérience de sa famille, elle rétorque : “Je ne sais pas ce que FHOD VLJQL¿H SRXU HX[ PDLV MH peux vous dire ce que cela sigQL¿H SRXU PD IDPLOOH ´

Fernandez dresse un tableau saisissant des luttes de sa grand-mère avant la révolution, en soulignant les profonds changements provoqués par la révolution sociale cubaine. A propos des manifestations du 11 juillet à Cuba, Fernández exprime le sentiment du peuple cubain. “Les gens sont fatigués, en colère, désespérés. Ils veulent des solutions. Ils veulent des réponses. La politique américaine est trop loin de nous.” La frustration ne YLHQW SDV VHXOHPHQW GHV Gp¿V rencontrés, mais aussi de la perception selon laquelle la politique américaine exacerbe ces GL൶FXOWpV Elle explique : « C’est comme si ce gouvernement, le gouvernement américain, essayait de fermer notre gouvernement pendant 60 ans, et que les gens en subissaient les conséquences. » Un aspect du paysage évolutif de Cuba évoqué par Fernandez est la croissance du secteur privé. Tout en reconnaissant les opportunités que

cela apporte, Fernandez se mé¿H pJDOHPHQW GHV Gp¿V TXH FHOD pose, en particulier pour les groupes marginalisés. “Je suis content de cela, mais en même temps, je suis un peu inquiet à ce sujet car cela comporte aussi beaucoup de Gp¿V ´ Elle mentionne VSpFL¿TXHPHQW OHV SUpRFFXSDtions concernant les droits des travailleurs du secteur privé et la nécessité de garantir que les progrès réalisés dans des domaines tels que l’égalité raciale et de genre ne soient pas compromis. Au milieu des discussions sur les luttes et les aspirations de Cuba, Fernandez met l’accent sur l’histoire commune et les liens entre les Noirs américains et les Cubains. “Je pense que Cuba est XQ H[HPSOH GH OD IDoRQ GRQW XQH révolution sociale est possible dans un pays multiracial comme l’est Cuba.” Elle appelle à une prise de conscience et à une compréhension mutuelles, en encourageant

les gens à voyager à Cuba, à se connecter avec son peuple et à UHFRQQDvWUH OHV ¿OV FRQGXFWHXUV de leur histoire. Selon ses propres mots : « Si les Noirs du monde ne vont pas bien, les gens des États-Unis ne peuvent pas aller bien parce TXH FHOD VLJQL¿H TXH OHV SROLtiques émanant de ce pays nuisent aux Noirs du monde entier, pas seulement à Cuba. “ Dans un monde souvent divisé par les frontières et les idéologies, Liz Olivia Fernandez constitue un pont entre les nations et les communautés. À travers son travail, elle remet en question les récits, favorise la compréhension et milite pour un monde plus juste et interconnecté. Alors qu’elle continue à naviguer sur le terrain complexe des relations entre les ÉtatsUnis et Cuba, ses paroles font écho à une vérité universelle : l’importance de reconnaître notre humanité commune et de travailler collectivement pour un avenir meilleur.

/L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQGH] 6RR %DQGKLJLGD ;DTLLTGD 6KHHNRR\LQND &DTDEDGGD OHK L\R .X JXGELQWD &DDODPND L\DGD RR ORR PDUD\R VD[DDIDGGD By Liz Olivia Fernandez Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Waxaa laga soo turjumay Isbaanishka Yoji Senna

Somali Text

Dhinaca saxaafadda iyo sheeko-sheekaynta, waxa jira shakhsiyaad sheekadoodu ka gudubtay xuduud, iyaga oo bixinaya aragti gaar ah oo caqabad NX DK ¿NUDGLKLL KRUH /L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQGH] RR DK VD[D¿\DG Cuban ah, isla markaana ka shaqeysa shirkadda Belly of the Beast Film Production ee fadhigeedu yahay Mareykanka, waa mid ka mid ah sheeko-yaqaannadaas. Wadahadal wax ku ool ah oo lala yeeshay Al McFarlane, waxay la wadaagtaa safarkeeda, waxay iftiiminaysaa kakanaanta sheekada Cuba, waxayna u dooddaa midnimada caalamiga ah. “Waan ku faraxsanahay inaan la kulmo oo aan kuu soo bandhigo Liz Olivia Fernandez. Waxay ku dhalatay oo ku nooshahay Havana, Cuba,” ayuu ku dhawaaqay Al McFarlane, oo dejinaya marxaladda wadahadalka ballanqaadaya qoto dheer iyo aragti. Fernandez, oo ka qalinjabisay dugsiga saxaafadda ugu sarreeya ee Kuuba, Jaamacadda Havana, waxay qaadday waddo gaar ah oo u horseeday inay noqoto barroosinnada taxanaha dokumentiga ah ee Bahalka, “Dagaalka Cuba.” Abaalmarinteeda, oo ay ku jirto Abaalmarinta 2021 *UDFLH HH PDUWLJHOL\DKD ¿idyaha khadka tooska ah iyo Abaalmarinta Telly 2022 ee taxanaha dukumeenti ee khadka tooska ah, ayaa ka tarjumaysa saameynta shaqadeeda. Laakiin abaal-marinnada dhaafsiisan, waa nuxurka sheekadeeda waxa soo jiitay. Marka ay ka hadlayso qaabkeeda sheeko-sheekaynta, Fernandez waxa ay soo EDQGKLJWD\ ¿NUDGGD ³VD[D¿yadda baarashute.” Waa erey ay u adeegsato in ay ku sifayso VD[D¿\LLQWD ND VRR MHHGD ZDGamada Galbeedka Hemisphere, sida Maraykanka ama Kanada, kuwaas oo “booda oo ka soo muuqda waddan ku yaal Kariibiyaanka” si ay u sharxaan ifafaale ama arrimo. Si kastaba ha ahaatee, Fernandez, oo ah haweenay Madow ah oo u dhalatay Cuba,

una shaqaynaysay warbaahin Maraykan ah, ayaa ku hawlan waxa ay ku tilmaantay “hab kale”. Waxay sharaxday, “Waxaan isku dayayaa inaan sharaxo oo aan si qoto dheer uga hadlo waxa keenaya siyaasadda Maraykanka ee ka dhanka ah dalkayga.” Fernandez waxay doorkeeda u aragtaa in aanu ahayn shisheeye isku dayaysa in ay u tarjumto Cuba balse ay tahay qof wax garanaya oo dhex dhexaadinaysa xidhiidhka cakiran ee Maraykanka iyo Cuba. Xiriirka gaarka ah ee Fernandez iyo saameynta siyaasadda Mareykanka ee Kuuba waxay soo ifbaxdaa marka ay ka hadasho taariikhda qoyskeeda. “Hooyaday waxay ku dhalatay cunaqabataynta, waxaan ku dhashay cunaqabatayn, waxaana ku dhowahay 30. Haddii aan ilmo haysto shan sano gudahood, waxaa laga yaabaa inay iyaduna ku dhalan doonto cunaqabataynta.” Waxay wajaheysaa ¿NUDGGD NKDOGDQ HH NX [HHUDQ rabitaanka qaar ka mid ah Cuban Ameerikaanka ah inay ku soo laabtaan Cuba xaaladaha ka hor 1959-kii. Iyada oo ka faa’iidaysanaysa waaya-aragnimada qoyskeeda, ayay tibaaxday, “Ma garanayo waxa ay taasi uga dhigan tahay iyaga, laakiin waxaan kuu sheegi karaa waxa ay taasi qoyskayga u leedahay.” Fernandez waxa ay sawir cad ka bixisay halgankii kacaanka ka hor ayeeydeed, iyada oo xoogga saaraysa isbeddellada qotoda dheer ee uu keenay kacaankii bulshada ee Cuba. Isagoo taabanaya mudaaharaadkii 11-kii Luulyo, Fernandez wuxuu muujinayaa dareenka dadka Cuba. “Dadku waa daalan yihiin, xanaaqsan yihiin, quus ayay rabaan, waxay rabaan xal, waxay rabaan jawaabo, siyaasadda Mareykanka aad ayay nooga fog tahay.” Niyad jabku kama iman kaliya caqabadaha la soo deristay laakiin sidoo kale waxay ka timid aragtida ah in siyaasadda Maraykanku ay uga sii dari karto dhibaatooyinkan. Waxay ku nuuxnuuxsatay, “Waxay la mid tahay dawladdan, dawladda Maraykanku, waxay isku dayaysaa inay xidho dawladeena 60 sano, dadkuna waxay la il daran yihiin cawaaqibka.” Hal dhinac oo ka mid ah muuqaalka kobcaya ee Cuba ee

uu Fernandez taabto waa qaybta gaarka ah ee sii kordheysa. In kasta oo ay qirsan tahay fursadaha ay keenayso, Fernandez waxa ay sidoo kale ka feejigan tahay caqabadaha ay ku hayso, gaar ahaan kooxaha la takooro. “Waan ku faraxsanahay taas, laakiin isla mar ahaantaana, aad ayaan uga walaacsanahay taas sababtoo ah waxay sidoo kale la socotaa caqabado badan.” Waxay si gaar ah u xustay walaacyada ku saabsan xuquuqda shaqaalaha ee qaybta gaarka ah iyo baahida loo qabo in la hubiyo in horumarka laga sameeyay dhinacyada sida sinnaanta jinsiga iyo jinsiga aan la carqaladeynin. Intii lagu guda jiray doodaha ku saabsan halganka Cuba iyo rabitaanka, Fernandez wuxuu xoogga saarayaa taariikhda la wadaago iyo xiriirka ka dhexeeya Maraykanka Madow iyo Cubans. “Waxaan u maleynayaa in Cuba ay tusaale u tahay sida ay suurtogal u tahay, kacdoon bulsho oo ka jira waddan jinsiyado badan leh sida Cuba.” Waxay ku baaqaysaa wacyigelin iyo isfaham labada dhinac ah, iyadoo ku dhiirigelinaysa dadka inay u safraan Cuba, la xidhiidhaan dadkeeda, oo ay aqoonsadaan dunta guud ee taariikhdooda. Hadalkeeda, “Haddii dadka madowga ah ee adduunka ku nool aysan caadi ahayn, dadka ku nool Maraykanka ma noqon karaan kuwo caadi ah sababtoo ah taasi waxay ka dhigan tahay in siyaasadaha ka imanaya dalkan ay waxyeello u geysanayaan dadka madow ee adduunka oo dhan, ma aha oo kaliya Cuba. “ Adduunyada inta badan u kala qaybsan xuduudaha iyo ¿NUDGDKD /L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQdez waxay u taagan tahay sidii buundo u dhaxaysa quruumaha iyo bulshooyinka. Shaqadeeda, waxay caqabad ku noqotaa sheekooyinka, waxay kor u qaadaa fahamka, waxayna u dooddaa adduun caddaalad badan oo isku xidhan. Markay sii waddo inay dhex marato dhulka kakan ee xidhiidhka Maraykanka iyo Cuba, erayadeedu waxay ku nuuxnuuxsanayaan xaqiiqo caalami ah - muhiimadda ay leedahay in la aqoonsado bini’aadantinimadayada aan wadaagno iyo

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Page 8 • January 29, 28, 2024 - February 4, 5, 2024 • Insight News

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/L] 2OLYLD )HUQDQGH] .XÀFKXD 8NZHOL 6LPXOL]L ]HQ\H &KDQJDPRWR QD .XIXQJD 8OLPZHQJX NXSLWLD XDQGLVKL ZD KDEDUL Na Liz Olivia Fernandez Translation by Macdonald Anyanwu, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Ilitafsiriwa kutoka Kihispania na Yoji Senna

Swahili Text

Katika nyanja ya uandishi wa habari na usimulizi wa hadithi, kuna watu ambao masimulizi yao yanavuka mipaka, yakitoa mtazamo wa kipekee ambao unapinga mawazo ya awali. Liz Olivia Fernandez, mwandishi wa habari wa Cuba na mtangazaji wa Kampuni ya Belly of the Beast Film Production yenye makao yake makuu nchini Marekani, ni mmoja wa wasimulizi wa hadithi kama hizo. Katika mazungumzo ya kina na Al McFarlane, anashiriki safari yake, anatoa mwanga juu ya ugumu wa hadithi ya Cuba, na anatetea mshikamano wa kimataifa. “Nimefurahi kukutana na kukuwasilisha Liz Olivia Fernandez. Alizaliwa na anaishi Havana, Cuba,” atangaza Al McFarlane, akiweka jukwaa la

mazungumzo ambayo yanaahidi kina na ufahamu. Fernandez, mhitimu wa shule kuu ya uandishi wa habari ya Cuba, Chuo Kikuu cha Havana, alianza njia ya kipekee iliyompeleka kuwa mtangazaji wa mfululizo wa makala ya Belly of the Beast, “The War on Cuba.” Sifa zake, zikiwemo Tuzo la Gracie la 2021 la mpangaji bora wa video mtandaoni na Tuzo la Telly la 2022 la mfululizo bora wa hali halisi mtandaoni, zinaonyesha athari ya kazi yake. Lakini zaidi ya tuzo, ni kiini cha usimulizi wake ndicho kinachovutia. Katika kujadili mbinu yake ya kusimulia hadithi, Fernandez anatanguliza dhana ya “uandishi wa habari wa miamvuli.” Ni neno analotumia kuelezea waandishi wa habari kutoka nchi za Ulimwengu wa Magharibi, kama vile Marekani au Kanada, ambao “huruka na kujitokeza katika nchi ya Karibea” kueleza matukio au masuala. Hata hivyo, Fernan-

dez, mwanamke Mweusi kutoka Cuba, anayefanya kazi katika chombo cha habari cha Marekani, anajishughulisha na kile anachokiita “njia nyingine.” Anaeleza, “Ninajaribu kueleza na kueleza kwa kina nini kinachochea sera ya Marekani dhidi ya nchi yangu.” Fernandez haoni jukumu lake kama mgeni anayejaribu kutafsiri Cuba lakini kama mtu wa ndani anayepitia utata wa uhusiano wa US-Cuba. Uhusiano wa kibinafsi wa Fernandez na athari za sera ya Marekani kwa Cuba unadhihirika anapozungumzia historia ya familia yake. “Mama yangu alizaliwa chini ya vikwazo, nilizaliwa chini ya vikwazo, na nina karibu miaka 30. Ikiwa nitakuwa na mtoto katika miaka mitano, labda atazaliwa chini ya vikwazo pia.” Anakabiliana na dhana potofu inayozunguka hamu ya baadhi ya Waamerika wa Cuba kurudisha Cuba katika hali ya kabla ya 1959. Akitumia uzoefu wa familia yake, anajibu, “Sijui hilo linamaanisha nini kwao,

lakini ninaweza kukuambia hilo linamaanisha nini kwa familia yangu.” Fernandez anatoa picha wazi ya mapambano ya bibi yake kabla ya mapinduzi, akisisitiza mabadiliko makubwa yaliyoletwa na mapinduzi ya kijamii ya Cuba. Akigusia maandamano ya Julai 11 nchini Cuba, Fernandez anaelezea hisia za watu wa Cuba. “Watu wamechoka, wamekasirika, wamekata tamaa. Wanataka suluhu. Wanataka majibu. Sera ya Marekani iko mbali sana nasi.” Kuchanganyikiwa huko kunatokana sio tu na changamoto zinazokabili bali pia kutokana na mtazamo kwamba sera ya Marekani inazidisha matatizo haya. Anafafanua, “Ni kama serikali hii, serikali ya Marekani, inajaribu kuifunga serikali yetu kwa miaka 60, na watu wanateseka.” Kipengele kimoja cha mazingira yanayoendelea ya Cuba ambacho Fernandez anagusia ni kukua kwa sekta ya kibinafsi. Ingawa anatambua fur-

sa zinazoletwa, Fernandez pia ana wasiwasi na changamoto zinazoleta, hasa kwa makundi yaliyotengwa. “Nina furaha kwa hilo, lakini wakati huo huo, nina wasiwasi kuhusu hilo kwa sababu linakuja na changamoto nyingi.” Anataja haswa wasiwasi kuhusu haki za wafanyakazi katika sekta ya kibinafsi na haja ya kuhakikisha kuwa maendeleo yaliyopatikana katika maeneo kama vile usawa wa rangi na kijinsia hayaathiriwi. Huku mijadala kuhusu mapambano na matarajio ya Cuba, Fernandez anasisitiza historia ya pamoja na uhusiano kati ya Wamarekani Weusi na Wacuba. “Nadhani Cuba ni mfano wa jinsi inavyowezekana, mapinduzi ya kijamii katika nchi yenye watu wa makabila mbalimbali kama Cuba ilivyo.” Anatoa wito wa kufahamu na kuelewana, kuwahimiza ZDWX NXVD¿UL KDGL &XED NXXQgana na watu wake, na kutambua nyuzi zinazofanana katika

historia zao. Kwa maneno yake mwenyewe, “Ikiwa watu weusi duniani hawako sawa, watu wa Marekani hawawezi kuwa sawa kwa sababu hiyo ina maana kwamba sera zinazotoka nchi hii zinawadhuru watu weusi duniani kote, sio tu Cuba. “ Katika ulimwengu ambao mara nyingi umegawanywa na mipaka na itikadi, Liz Olivia Fernandez anasimama kama daraja kati ya mataifa na jamii. Kupitia kazi yake, anachangamoto masimulizi, hukuza uelewano, na kutetea ulimwengu wenye haki na unaounganishwa. Anapoendelea kuzunguka eneo changamano la mahusiano ya Marekani na Cuba, maneno yake yanadhihirisha ukweli wa ulimwengu wote - umuhimu wa kutambua ubinadamu wetu wa pamoja na kufanya kazi kwa pamoja kuelekea maisha bora ya baadaye.

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Yoruba Text

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Caption: “We’re thrilled to announce that Belly of the Beast journalist and producer @lizolivafdez has won a Gracie Award for Best Online Video Host from @allwomeninmedia! Congrats to Liz and thanks to all those who watched the series and support our work! #TheGracies”. Credit: X (@BellyofthebeastCuba)

Caption: Government supporters march in Havana, Cuba, on July 11, 2021, shortly before an anti-government protest. Credit: Politico( Ismael Francisco/AP Photo)

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Insight News • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Page 9

Insight 2 Health A TikTok ‘expert’ says you have post-traumatic stress disorder − but do you? A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help By Arash Javanbakht Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University Among the many emerging trends on social media, one recent concerning fad is a casual and often inaccurate portrayal of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD – along with an array of questionable interventions suggested for its cure. But what really is PTSD, who suﬀers from it, and what are the available treatments? As a psychiatrist specializing in trauma, I’ve worked with hundreds of people with PTSD. Some are refugees, first responders and survivors of torture and human traﬃcking. Others have survived childhood trauma, shootings, assault, rape or robbery. As part of my outreach, I post educational material about trauma and PTSD on social media, so my news feeds often contain misleading material along these lines: “Procrastination is not laziness. It is childhood trauma.” “Trauma test: What image did you see first? A shark, A leg?” “People who say sorry for no reason have PTSD.” Mental health advocacy work has led to great progress in making the public aware of trauma and overcoming its stigma. But misuse of terms such as “trauma,” “childhood trauma” and “PTSD” has filled the social media sphere with misinformation. It is often spread by people with a financial

or emotional incentive, such as those seeking followers, selling tests, therapies, interventions, coaching and more. Such posts treat trauma and PTSD as something that’s trendy, at times even romanticizing trauma. In turn, this trivializes the suﬀering of those who really have endured traumatic experiences. It can also create confusion for those with a real need for help and prevent them from receiving the right support. Trauma explained In popular culture and in the everyday vernacular, the word trauma is often used too loosely. As a result, on social media a diﬃcult breakup or an argument with a family member might be portrayed as traumatic. While these experiences could be highly stressful, they are not considered trauma in the clinical world. The field of psychiatry defines trauma as direct exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. That includes experiences such as war, assault, sexual abuse and rape, robbery, being shot at, severe car accidents and natural disasters. Trauma exposure is common among, though certainly not limited to, urban populations. Trauma exposure does not necessarily have to be direct; it can also happen by witnessing or being near the event or by exposure to its aftermath. This is what often happens to first responders, those in the vicinity of or exposed to the aftermath of mass shootings, and refugees, all of whom see the worst of what humans do to each other. The immediate

response to trauma can include shock, severe anxiety or panic, confusion, helplessness, constant recall of the event, feeling on edge, difficulty sleeping, anger, guilt or physical discomfort. Trauma can have numerous long-term effects, including anxiety, difficulty with trust, depression and substance use. PTSD explained Not everyone who experiences trauma has PTSD. For the majority of people exposed to trauma, symptoms subside over time. But some people remain in a constant state of “fight or flight,” a physiological response in which the brain stays fully alert to ensure escape or to neutralize a real or perceived danger. When the severity of symptoms passes a specific threshold, mental health clinicians consider a PTSD diagnosis. To be diagnosed with the disorder, the person must have one or two symptoms from all of the following categories:  “Intrusion” symptoms, such as recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event, or frequent nightmares or flashbacks as if the event is happening again. This includes seeing the scenes, hearing the sounds or experiencing the smells of the event.  Intense avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the trauma, including thoughts and memories of the event, people who could resemble the perpetrator, and places or times of day that are associated with where, when or how the trauma happened.  Persistent negative emotions and thoughts, such

Untrained bystanders can administer drone-delivered naloxone, potentially saving lives of opioid overdose victims By Nicole Adams Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing, Purdue University An onlooker – even one without prior training – can successfully administer naloxone to an overdose victim within about a minute of a drone delivering the lifesaving opioid reversal agent. That’s the key finding of my team’s newly published study. Naloxone is also known by the name brand Narcan. The study involved 17 participants responding to a simulated overdose. Each simulation included an untrained participant who portrayed a bystander, a box of naloxone delivered by drone, a mannequin as the overdose victim, and a panicked observer. The latter added a sense of urgency by continually shouting at the bystander throughout the simulation. Via a video playing on a screen carried by the drone, the bystander received instructions on how to use the naloxone, which is administered as a nasal spray. We timed each participant on how long it took them to correctly give the medication during this crisis moment. Our trial revealed that the average time for someone to remove the naloxone from the drone, view the video and administer the medication was 62 seconds.

four minutes, and death in six. But get a drone to an overdose victim within three minutes, and add one more minute for someone to remove and administer the drug, and there’s a chance to save their life and even prevent brain injury. More than 75,000 people in the U.S. died in 2022 from an opioid overdose. A drone network that could deliver naloxone fast enough to ensure quick administration of the drug could save thousands of lives every year. The technology, although nascent, is here. Amazon is already using drones to deliver packages in select U.S. cities and in other countries. Since 2011, drones have been delivering blood to remote hospitals in Africa.

Why it matters Such a scenario could be a lifesaver, particularly in places where an emergency medical services, or EMS, team is either not available or slower than a drone delivery. This includes not only densely populated cities with traﬃc congestion, but more remote areas. The average response time for an ambulance in rural America is 14 minutes. Nationally, the average ambulance response time is seven minutes. Either way, it’s too late to help an opioid user who has stopped breathing. Brain damage occurs in about

What still isn’t known Deciding where to distribute drone stations across an area is the next step. But if emergency service planners can first determine how long it takes to dispense the medication, informed by our study and others, then they will know how much time a drone has to get to the scene. Our trial provides a template for future studies – and it comes closer than other controlled trials to simulating the surprise and anxiety experienced by a bystander during an overdose incident. To the best of our knowledge, there are two previous human trials from the

Vincent Walter/Purdue University, CC BY-NC-ND

Drone deliveries would be particularly effective in places where emergency responders can’t respond quickly. U.S. using drones for medical intervention. But both studies used trained participants who were familiar with the interventions and did not require in-the-moment training on how to use the device. What’s next As this technology matures, engineering teams will continue to improve the drone’s design and its methods of instruction. Replicating this study with a diverse population and larger groups of people will be crucial to confirm the time needed to administer the drug after the drone lands. Another issue for future study will be addressing community acceptance of medical drones. As they fly over houses, drones still cause fear and uncertainty in many neighborhoods. Adequate education will be needed to prepare communities for these potentially life-saving deliveries. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. Nicole Adams has received funding from the Substance Use and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), as well as internal University seed grants. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

as anxiety, sadness, guilt, a negative perception of self – that is, a feeling that you’re permanently damaged – or a mistrust of the world. This might include an inability to experience positive emotions.  Hyperarousal – meaning constantly being on the lookout for danger – and being easily startled or angered and being unable to sleep. Getting help Like any other medical condition, a diagnosis of PTSD must be made by a mental health professional, preferably one skilled in trauma and PTSD. Some people endure certain symptoms without meeting all criteria for PTSD. If this causes significant social, academic or occupational dysfunction and distress, the person will still need help. If you have endured traumatic experiences, first understand that PTSD is not your identity. It is a disease that can be and should be treated. Getting an evaluation from your primary care doctor is the first step. They may refer you to a mental health professional. Or you can reach out directly to a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist or a licensed social worker for an evaluation. Your insurance provider can help you find a therapist or psychiatrist, preferably specialized in trauma. You can also find a list of providers through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. If you don’t have insurance, you can get help at a local community mental health clinic or a federally qualified health center. If a diagnosis is

Tarik Vision/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Some social media posts about PTSD mislead rather than inform. confirmed, know that you do not have to suﬀer for years to come. There are eﬀective and safe psychotherapy treatments that can help process the traumatic memories, overcome the related negative thoughts or feelings of guilt and shame and help overcome avoidance of normal life situations because of the trauma. In my newly published book, I discuss new, cutting-edge treatments as well as stories from those who overcame their illness. For instance, our team has created AI-enhanced mixed reality technologies to produce immersive and interactive diverse situations of encounters with digital humans. This will allow the patients to, for example, experience the sensation of being in a crowded grocery store, with their therapist alongside to help them navigate and overcome their fears. Medications can also help. Often labeled as antidepressants, these

medications are safe and nonaddictive, and they can lower the intensity of anxiety to a level that allows the patients to deal with their fears. Lifestyle changes like diet, mindfulness and exercise can also help a lot. I have seen many traumatized people get back on their feet and resume their normal lives after the right intervention and lifestyle adjustments. Those who continue to have some symptoms often manage to build life around them without letting the trauma take away the joy and prosperity of their lives. Arash Javanbakht does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant aﬃliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

HNC Black History Month Day "New Year New You" HNC office 2944 Emerson Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411 February 17th, 2024 11:00am - 2:00pm Blood pressure & Glucose check

Narcan availability

COVID test kits & masks

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Winter coats for young-small girls (limited) Hawthorne residents, join us for a pop up clinic regarding better health in the New Year. Must live in Hawthorne! Thank you to our sponsors! dhawkins@hncmpls.org with questions.

Page 10 • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Insight News

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Schia Hart’s Truth Be Written: A Reflective Accountability Journal Sharing Our Stories

By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor TRUTH BE WRITTEN A Reflective Accountability Journal By Schia Hart There is a saying that I’ve heard at different points in my life: “Whenever you point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing at you.” It seems so easy to blame others for our failures and mistakes as a way to avoid accountability in ourselves. Indeed, we block our blessings and our growth by doing just that. That being said, I bring to you Schia Hart’s Truth Be Written: A Reflective Accountability Journal. In Hart’s words, this interactive journal provides the reader with “a safe space to tell it like it is, and figure out what it should be.” Inspired by her daughter, this version of Hart’s journal is designed for teens and adults; she has also designed one for kids. It is a step-by-step process consisting of the following: What happened? Who was involved? What did they do? How do you feel? Is there any validity in what they said or did? In your opinion, what should have happened or what could they have done differently? What role did you play in this situation? What could you have done differently? Now what (what are you going to do)? List three things you are grateful for today. At the end of the

Schia Hart reflection, there is a space for a person to doodle, draw, etc. Introspection is not always an easy thing to do, but it is necessary for us to grow as people, to take accountability for our lives and actions instead of blaming and making excuses. Interspersed in the journal are quotes from famous individuals about accountability, responsibility, and ownership, which speak to everyone. Though they are all powerful and inspiring, these two quotes caught my attention right away: “The worst thing you can do as a young person is to refuse to grow up. You refuse to grow up when you believe that someone else must take responsibility for your life and life circumstances.” (Saidi Mdala) “Leaders inspire accountability through their

ability to accept responsibility before they place blame.” (Courtney Lynch) We are descended from kings and queens, and Hart’s journal is another tool to help us embrace and take ownership of those titles as leaders by example. In addition to being an author, Hart is the CEO of Handlender, an organization that “strengthens various types of networks, collectives, and communities through initiating perpetual acts of burden-free giving and receiving.” Truth Be Written is available through the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (www.mnblackauthorsexpo. com) and Amazon. Thank you, Schia, for your spirit and for giving us a book to help us grow and move forward in life!

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Insight News • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Page 11

Sports

AP Photo/Craig Lassig

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) shoots over Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne, left, and guard Elijah Hawkins during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan.23, 2024, in Minneapolis.

Tyler Wahl leads No. 13 Wisconsin in 61-59 win over rival Minnesota By Dave Campbell AP Sports Writer Tyler Wahl had 16 points and hit two free throws with 5 seconds left to help No. 13 Wisconsin beat rival Minnesota 61-59 on Tuesday night. A.J. Storr had 15

points and 12 rebounds for the Big Ten-leading Badgers (15-4, 7-1), who beat the Gophers (127, 3-5) for the seventh straight time. Max Klesmit scored 11 points. As Elijah Hawkins drove into the lane with the Gophers down by one, Wahl — the fifth-year native of

Minnesota playing in his home state for the final time — fought for position with Dawson Garcia and drew the foul call on Garcia. After Wahl swished both free throws, the Badgers fouled twice to get the Gophers in the bonus and to the line where they went a woeful 5

for 13. Mike Mitchell made the first one and missed the second try with 3 seconds left, hustling to the baseline to grab his own rebound and get a clean shot to tie it. But the ball banked oﬀ the glass and just missed. Hawkins, who missed Minnesota’s last game with a sprained ankle, had 16 points,

nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. UP NEXT Wisconsin hosts Michigan State on Friday night. Minnesota plays at Penn State on Saturday night. Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up

here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/aptop-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/ college-basketball

Page 12 • January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024 • Insight News

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