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The San Diego Monitor When just 10 percent of a state’s voting population had taken such an oath, loyal Unionists could then establish governments. These so-called Lincoln governments sprang up in pockets where Union support existed like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Unsurprisingly, these were also the places that were exempted from the liberating effects of the Emancipation Proclamation. Initially proposed as a war aim, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation committed the United States to the abolition of slavery. However, the proclamation freed only slaves in areas of rebellion and left more than seven hundred thousand in bondage in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri as well as in Union-occupied areas of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The Donkey or the Elephant? How did Black folks get into politics in the first place? Part 1 President Abraham Lincoln began planning for the reunification of the United States in the fall of 1863. With a sense that Union victory was imminent and that he could turn the tide of the war by stoking Unionist support in the Confederate states, Lincoln issued a proclamation allowing southerners to take an oath of allegiance.
To cement the abolition of slavery, Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment on January 31, 1865. The amendment legally abolished slavery “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” Section Two of the amendment granted Congress the “power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” State ratification followed, and by the end of the year the requisite three fourths of the states had approved the amendment, and four million people were forever free from the slavery that had existed in North America for 250 years. Continued pg.4
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3 President Lyndon B. Johnson followed up by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion and national origins. He then added prohibiting discrimination based on sex and Executive Order 11246 requiring federal contractors to take affirmative action to promote the full realization of equal opportunity for women and minorities.
The 1960’s were a watershed era for change and demand for equality. Prior to these tumultuous times, Black businesses were shut out of contracting opportunities and Black youth were denied entrance into major universities (funded by our tax dollars), not based on merit, but simply because they were Black.
Why Should African Americans Vote? A deeper look into our history as voters At its core, voting is about divvying up resources. Every day our tax dollars go into the government’s pot and then we rely on elected officials to determine where to spend that money. If we don’t vote people into office who have our best interest and initiatives that support our daily livelihood, then we can’t expect our tax dollars to be spent in our best interest. Being complacent and not voting is not an option; unless you simply concede to giving your hardearned money away to people, programs and ideals that you do not support in everyday brass tacks. When you don’t vote, you inadvertently support those contrary issues with your money. Voting isn’t often seen that clear, cut and dry. In 1961, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925, which included a provision that government contractors “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.” The intent of this executive order was to affirm the government’s commitment to equal opportunity for all qualified persons, and to take positive action to strengthen effort to realize true equal opportunity for all.
After much angst, negotiations and a lot of “come to Jesus” conversations, Blacks started voting to support JFK, his predecessor Johnson and little brother Robert Kennedy. As a result, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented Blacks from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ability to vote and Affirmative Action created wealthy Black entrepreneurs and a swarm of African Americans entered college at a record clip, instantly raising Blacks’ earning potential in the wealthiest nation on the planet. Obtaining contracts to do business with government has made whites in America rich and could very well create wealth in the Black community for many generations. The government issues billions of dollars in contracts for businesses to complete work projects. The money that comes with those contracts are your tax dollars and mine. If we don’t vote to ensure Blacks get an equal opportunity to obtain those contracts, then complaining about our economic plight is futile. In 1996 African Americans voted at an all-time low. We didn’t participate and during that same year, Proposition 209 was ushered into California 54% (yes) to 46% (no) to essentially roll back affirmative action, prohibiting race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity and national origin to be considered in the University admission decision process and issuing of contracts to businesses. Continued on pg. 4
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Why Vote Story continued from pg. 3
Donkey or the Republican continued from pg. 2
Now government can’t, by law, ensure minorities get a piece of the pie unless elected officials with our best interest are at least speaking up and pushing for equity, but if we aren’t voting then we aren’t winning. Prior to this proposition, California was righting the wrongs of slavery, Jim Crow and overt discrimination. When Blacks decided not to vote, they also decided to give back the pie, the American dream and the spoils of the tax dollars we work so hard to obtain.
Lincoln’s policy was lenient, conservative, and short-lived. Reconstruction changed when John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln on April 14, 1865, during a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater. Treated rapidly and with all possible care, Lincoln nevertheless succumbed to his wounds the following morning, leaving a somber pall over the North and especially among African Americans.
This November 6, we have an opportunity to vote on for statewide officials, local officials and a bevy of initiatives. Don’t be complacent. Get in the game. African Americans cannot afford not to vote. We must vote for people who have our best interest in mind, heart and soul. We must vote for issues that advance the well-being of our families and communities. We can’t expect to win with every vote, but if we don’t vote, we can certainly expect to lose. Aubry Stone President/CEO California Black Chamber of Commerce “California the 5th largest economy in the world”
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln propelled Vice President Andrew Johnson into the executive office in April 1865. Johnson, a states’-rights, strict-constructionist, and unapologetic racist from Tennessee, offered southern states a quick restoration into the Union. His Reconstruction plan required provisional southern governments to void their ordinances of secession, repudiate their Confederate debts, and ratify the Thirteenth Amendment. On all other matters, the conventions could do what they wanted with no federal interference. He pardoned all southerners engaged in the rebellion with the exception of wealthy planters who possessed more than $20,000 in property. The southern aristocracy would have to appeal to Johnson for individual pardons. Continued next week
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Lessons from the African American Vote in Alabama By Dr. John Warren Printed earliest by Dr. John Warren (San Diego Voice and Viewpoint/NNPA Member) December 21, 2017
The African Americans who have convinced themselves that one vote doesn’t matter, should take a very close look at what happened during the recent special election in Alabama. In spite of the endorsement of President Donald Trump and the extremely conservative White voters who supported Roy Moore, Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate won the United States Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Jones was the first Democrat elected to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in 25 years. How he won is very important to African Americans across this nation. Exit polls showed that 98 percent of African American women who voted supported Jones and 93 percent of African American men who voted chose the Democratic candidate. The Jones’ victory by 1.5 percent clearly shows that, without the Black vote, Jones wouldn’t have won the special election. Equally important is the fact that this degree of African American voter participation in an off-season special election, demonstrates what we can do, when we choose to get involved. African Americans cannot allow “voter suppression” tactics, like additional photo identification requirements, to deter us from going to the polls. According to Nonprofit VOTE, “In all but two states, voting age citizens convicted of a felony are barred from voting for some period of time.” Read entire story www.sdmonitornews.com
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The San Diego Monitor
The San Diego Monitor
Rising Star Shyra James Goes for the Goal By Amya Jones
Although the sports industry has always been male-centric and it seems athletic women have been swept under the rug and left out of today’s sports industry, vigorously active women are now improving in the sports market. Whether it’s a four-time gold medalist Simone Biles, or Serena Williams winning her 23rd title these women are a part of a tremendous movement bringing more acknowledgment to females in competitive athletics. The impact of athletic women not being celebrated enough can diminish their chances in certain circumstances. This puts a divide between male and female outcomes, success in sports or
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leagues mean notoriety and fortune in greater instances for male athletes as amateurs and professionals. A broaden visibility in advertising or campaigning can provide a powerful symbolic representation of strong female role models for the youth that leads to similar advantages. Shyra James an Olympic hopeful, began playing soccer at the age of 4, she excelled tremendously and was put on a local organization with girls that were three years older than her. As the only freshman on Varsity soccer at Preuss, her previous high school, she set the record with an astonishing 52 goals. Shyra now as an 11th grader, attends Helix Charter High School and continues to play soccer at an intense level while also participating in extracurricular activities such as varsity volleyball for a third year. For instance, Shyra plays travel soccer at an exceptional level with San Diego Surf Soccer Club helping her team become 2nd overall in the nation by scoring a total of 16 goals, in the 2017 season. Shyra was selected to join an elite team which is connected with her club called Development Academy, the objective of this program is to practice almost every day in order to help transition these athletes into world class players. Shyra is particularly dangerous with the ball at her feet in her position as forward. Read the entire story on www.sdmonitornews.com