Getting a
Head Start What can Black San Diegans do to empower Black youth? 3 Ways to Empower Black Youth There is so much joy in watching Black youth talk about their passions in the world. A deep satisfaction in witnessing them grow and step into their potential. As community members, elders, parents and leaders, we cannot forget to empower those who are coming to do the work after us. It is not an easy load to carry, being young and Black in America. The many identities and experiences we embody influence how we exist in the world, but also how we are treated. Black youth are doing the work to better themselves and the world every day, and they need to know that we see them. Empowering our young leaders puts them in a position to feel confident in who they are and in everything they do. Here are 3 ways to empower and uplift the Black innovators of tomorrow! 1. Making space to LISTEN – Sometimes we just need space to release and let go in a healthy way, make space for these young leaders to share their passion and uplift their truth
2. AFFIRMING them on their path – There is no straight – forward way to make change, remind these young leaders that they are on a journey and affirm them in the work they are doing right now to make a difference. 3. Speak your TRUTH – None of us have all the answers to life, but we all have a tory to tell. Tell yours! Be vulnerable and empower Black youth to see themselves, their dreams and aspirations through you and your experiences. There is more than one way to uplift our young leaders and to empower them to continue to be themselves. It is important to remember that they must live life for themselves. They must feel and experience to gain the lessons that strong leaders embody. Making space and time to teach Black youth is vital to their development and recognizing them for their efforts today are a part of that process. Ella Baker, Civil Rights activist, reminds us that “Strong people don’t need strong leaders”. This speaks to our collective and individual capacity to lead. Black youth are up next, LET THEM BE ELEVATED!
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Rebranding Black America The Legacy of the Black Vote – Who has the real power?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
Figure 1
Black people understand the impact that voting has in their lives, no matter how they articulate this experience. The fight to secure the right to vote for Black men and women surpasses attempts to degrade our intelligence and humanity as a people. Black Americans are American, and it is without question whether this community should have a voice in the politics of their country. It is not surprising that the Black vote is held to a high value in the American electoral system. White politicians spend millions of dollars creating strategies to exploit Black culture and colonize Black minds. They even go as far as to criticizing Black people when their campaigns fail, and their empty promises are exposed. Even still, White America suppresses the reality of Black Americans while uplifting the images and ideas that serve their political and economic agendas. The “Black Vote” may then appear to be an oxymoron, a contradiction, but it is not. Figure 1 presents the influence that Black voters hold in the success of Democratic candidates. Possessing the most political power in America, Black people, amongst other communities of color, work, go to school, and contribute to the everyday systems in our lives. This is understood by White politicians who use Black political power to their own advantage. When Black people have access to resources that make politics, law and policy accessible, they act to improve their communities. To Black people its is not an issue of potential, we must organize ourselves towards what is truly possible.
“The vote is precious; it is almost sacred…” John Lewis, U.S Congressman and Civil Rights activist asserts that the vote is a tool that must be used towards our collective liberation, and it cannot act alone to bring the change that we need. Black people have not lost confidence in the power of the Black vote, they have lost confidence in the American government, the justice system and legislators who overlook Black lives. During the election of President Barack Obama and the first Black family, America witnessed increases in Black voter turnout that reminded the country of the power and influence of Black people. This is the symbolic value of voting that creates change in Black communities and inspires Black leaders. Continued on pg. 8
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act The House of Representatives took important action on
police and justice reform and passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. For weeks people across America came together in peaceful demonstrations to grieve for victims of police brutality and demand change. In response to those voices, the Congressional Black Caucus introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. What does this mean for police violence? This George Floyd Justice in Policing Act will make transformative changes to policing, restore faith in the system, and help communities feel safe. The bill: · Prohibits federal, state, and local law enforcement from discriminatory profiling. Requires training on discriminatory profiling for all law enforcement. · Bans chokeholds, carotid holds, and no-knock warrants in drug cases at the federal level and incentivizes state and local governments to do the same.
· Creates a National Police Misconduct Registry to prevent problematic officers who are fired or leave an agency from moving to another jurisdiction without accountability Next steps towards change San Diegans have made it clear that they want bold reforms on policing. A survey asking constituents for their thoughts on this issue received over 6,600 responses. In the survey, 80% of respondents indicated they believe police reform is needed. And a large majority of respondents indicated support for reforms similar to provisions in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, including: Improving police training and practices (66.8%), Improving transparency into police data (62.1%), and Making it easier to hold police accountable for misconduct (73.8%). The House of Representatives is urging the Senate to act and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Read more about this story at https://susandavis.house.gov/
· De-militarizes the police by limiting the transfer of military weaponry to state and local police. · Removes barriers to prosecuting police misconduct and recovering damages. Reforms qualified immunity to hold officers accountable who violate a person’s civil rights. · Increases transparency by requiring dashboard and body cameras.
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Difficult conversations in the black community Is Black American Ready for a Black Woman Vice- President? Why do we have to question our capacity to respect Black women and their leadership? What do we fear? Change? Accountability? Love and humanity? The qualities that Black women bring to their communities are central to the functioning of these communities. We are not asking this question because Black women are not qualified to lead, we are really questioning our ability to have their backs, to support their leadership and the transformation they bring. In the 2020 Primary election there is one candidate who has the courage to commit to bringing America into a new light. Joe Biden, Democrat and former Vice President, has a long history of creating and enforcing policies that influence Black lives, but his most recent commitment is to Black women. Biden shares with voters that he will be naming a woman for his Vice president candidate, and it cannot be overlooked that more than half of his choices are Black women. From Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia State Representative, and Karen Bass, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman, to Kamala Harris, U.S State Senator and former Presidential candidate. It is inspiring to see so many Black women stepping up to the plate, and they are all passionate, qualified leaders. The question is, are we ready to support a Black woman as Vice President? What do we need from Black leaders? Black people have a long legacy of inspiring Black leaders who have carried us and the work of our people forward.
There are Black people uplifting and educating Black people today, often their work is overlooked because of the legacy of the leaders who came before them. It is hard to tell Black people that we do not need another Malcolm X or Harriet Tubman. It is hard for Black people to accept that the leaders of tomorrow will serve and support our collective vision in new and nontraditional ways. Whether or not we want to accept the leaders of tomorrow, we will have to accept that we need something different. Black women making power moves When we think about Black leadership, Black women are often left out of the conversation. Still they are making all the moves! The fact that Black women feel empowered to pursue higher positions of power and influence also tells us that they are focused on making an impact in the most direct way possible. In response to the lives lost recently to police brutality, over 40 Black women have taken initiative to pursue local and state offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These women heard George Floyd’s call for help, they saw an opportunity to prevent another injustice and they ran for it. There is more than enough room for all these amazing women. Their passion and drive are needed. As we prepare ourselves to support these Black women stepping into new leadership roles, we also must have the courage to hold them accountable for their responsibilities to the people they serve. Black women have so much potential, we must support them in becoming the best leaders they can become. Continued pg. 9
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SDMNEWS Must Read
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Campaign Filings and Responsibilities
2020 CA Census Guide
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Candidate Intention Statement
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Campaign Contribution Account
Table of Contents
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Exceptions
Section 1: General Information (PDF)
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Additional Filing Information
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Initiative and Referendum Qualification Requirements
Section 3: Candidate Filing Information (PDF)
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Candidate Qualifications and Information
• Required Filing Fees, In-Lieu Signatures, and Nomination Signatures
Section 2: Nomination Requirements (PDF) •
Presidential Candidates
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United States Representative in Congress, and Member of the State Legislature Candidates
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Nomination Documents – Nomination Papers and Declaration of Candidacy
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Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee
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Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee and/or Nomination Papers
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Ballot Designations
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In General
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Write-In Candidates for the Office of President
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Write-In Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices
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What makes the “Black Vote” so sacred? It reflects Black people, our values, beliefs and relationship to the world. Black people are not a monolith, and Blackness can be expressed and embodied in many ways. To expect Black people to limit their political perspectives is to not allow them to exist fully in their experience. Black people navigate politics in more ways than we can truly conceptualize – from conversations at home about who is better qualified to represent our needs, to efforts in our communities to organize and distribute resources. It is not enough to chant “people power”, we must embody it. Who has the real power? The state and condition of Black people is the true measure of progress in America. A people whose success is so deeply intertwined with the destiny of the nation itself. As we excel to new heights in everything that we do we must always remember that power is not our goal. We employ power, we use it as a tool for our success. Our goal is not to conquer or colonize each other, it is to utilize our individual strengths towards our collective achievement. Real power lies in one’s ability to have an influence and to empower.
The San Diego Monitor Black people have an influence in America that extends beyond politics, impacting cultures and social institutions abroad. We are the trailblazers and innovators that will make America the country it has the potential to be. We must use the platform that the “Black Vote” provides us at the table of politics. Even with Black legislators in positions of power, we need structural changes that will hold our institutions accountable. This is not the job of one person or one policy alone. It is a process that will take generations and more sacrifices, and as we benefit from the strides of our ancestors today, we fight for our children tomorrow. 55 years have passed since the Voting Rights Act in 1965, making it illegal for states and local governments to discriminate against African Americans exercising their right to vote. Before this, Black people were persistent at showing up to the polls to make it known that they had a voice and an experience that would not be overlooked. Today, Black people honor this legacy through our dedication to bettering ourselves, our communities and our country. Our power lies in our ability to use our influence to heal and restore, and on our path, we will create an empowered world.
Does gender matter? At the end of the day, where does our gender intersect with our abilities and qualifications? Figure 1 shows the demographics of Black women holding office in the United States in 2016. In the graphic it is evident that Black women are underrepresented in American politics. One difference that must be noted is the 3% gap in representation between Black men and women. This gap does not mean one group is more qualified than the other, it reveals how gender can provide privilege and access that is denied to others. The graphic also provides us with an opportunity to think critically about the relationship between gender and race. White women are far more represented than Black men and Black women, privilege awarded to them for being White but simultaneously denied for being a woman. White males surpass every other group because they exist in the privilege of being White and male. When we analyze what these privileges mean for Black women in politics, we find that not only are they under-represented, their leadership is also reduced, and their womanhood is always in the spotlight. The irony in the challenges faced by Black women is the lack of faith in their leadership and the value placed on their work. Black women in politics are creating and uplifting policies that center the basic needs of everyday people. Health care, housing, child-care and education. If gender mattered, Black women are overqualified.
Black people for Kamala Harris Can we make space for our leaders to grow? Or will we trap them in their past decisions and past versions of themselves? Kamala Harris is the second Black woman to be elected to the U.S Senate and previously the California District Attorney, a role that required her to make tough decisions on behalf of all Americans. With great power comes great responsibility and Kamala has shown us that she has the capacity to do what needs to get done. Can Black America welcome Kamala for the change and innovation that she inspires today? Read More on sdmonitornews.com
A Reason to Celebrate!
The Statewide Coalition Against Racist Statues (SCARS) and
numerous social justice partners celebrated the removal of the Capt. John Sutter statue from Sutter Park in Sacramento. Sutter, an early settler of California’s capital city, is memorialized as a Gold Rush icon and Sacramento founding father, but SCARS has stated that he “was actually a cruel and depraved slave master.” The removal of the statue, which was issued by the administration of Sutter Hospital, ends “the glorification of Indigenous genocides and ‘De-Sutters’ Sacramento,” SCARS said in a written statement. “Being a Native American in Sacramento and seeing the idealization of a person who brought a reign of terror to our local Native tribes — and beyond — is triggering. I grew up here, learned about Sutter in my primary school education, participated in the field trips to the fort that left me shocked,” wrote Vanessa Esquivido (Nor Rel Muk Wintu, Hupa, Xicana), an expert on Native American Studies, in a letter to CBM. In Antelope Valley, an inland area north of Los Angeles, Quartz Valley High School has ditched its Rebel mascot. And Fort Bragg, a small North Coast town with less than 8,000 residents, is considering changing its name. The Confederate general Braxton Bragg, for whom the scenic seaside town is named, enslaved over 100 Black people. On June 26, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to protect monuments, memorials, and statues.
Dr. Daniel Walker, African- American Historian, says the solution to preserving history without uplifting racist historical symbols is simple. “Take all the monuments that have been removed and confiscated, put them in one place,” he said. “Put them in a museum, and say, ‘this is the Confederacy.’ This is how bad we’ve been in America. This is the real story.”
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Negro Bar No More? In northern California, a movement to study and correct
local symbols deemed racist is brewing around one of the state’s African American-themed landmarks. Negro Bar is an area located in the city of Folsom. The picturesque park was named after an area where Black miners once worked during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. The miners were isolated because of their color. At Negro Bar, the Black miners struck gold in 1850, one to two ounces for each man on the average per day, according to an article published in the now-defunct Sacramento Placer Times. Clarence Caesar, a Black historian at California State Library’s California Historical and Cultural Endowment said Negro Bar is the state’s “first Black gold mining site.” The park’s name has gone through several changes. It was initially identified as the racial epithet, “(N-word) Bar,” as described in the book “Riches for All: The California Gold Rush and the World.” Before recent anti-racism protests, local Black community leaders and historians had agreed to continue using the current name, which doesn’t seem to bother the many kayakers, fishers, and hikers of all races that flock to that park during the hottest days. “In response to comments received in 2018, the department has undertaken a review to better understand the public’s perspective about the name and its continued use,” CDPR stated on its website. People who are not happy with the current name say Negro is an archaic term for Black people. A petition to rename Negro Bar currently has more than 60,000 signatures.
But some Black people are in favor of staying with the current name. One of them is Jonathan Burgess, a native of Sacramento. His greatgrandfather was an enslaved Black man whose owner brought him to California during the Gold Rush. He says the current name is “part of history.” He said changing the name would be a “miscarriage of justice” and he doesn’t consider Negro Bar offensive. The California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) has stated that it recognizes the seriousness of offensive public symbols and that their interpretations can change over time. The department welcomes feedback from the public. Read more about this story at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/ WWW.SDMONITORNEWS.COM