Your
Impact
Black San Diegans, how are you making a lasting impact? You may not think about the ways that you are impacting the people around you daily, yet you are influencing their lives in ways you may rarely understand. This is not to say that you are responsible for making an impact on other people’s lives, you are responsible for the ways that you show up and how that speaks for you as a person.
Your impact may not always present itself in ways that are clear to you, and that’s a part of the release. The way that you influence others does not make to make sense to you right now. These moments support our growth in times where we self-reflect and consider the ways that we have shared ourselves with the world.
Considering your personality or character, people may be naturally attracted to you. Your presence can provide a model for structure, or consistency for people needing to develop these attributes. It can be as simple as your happy and energetic spirit that motivates people and gets them going on their own path. Often you are probably just being yourself and end up being the blessing that someone needed to better their day.
Today you can take 3 minutes to make someone smile. Three years from now that small exchange can turn into a business relationship or another learning opportunity.
Hidden Gems Why does the world make us think that we have to change the world to make a lasting impact on the lives of others? Carrying this expectation of yourself sets you up for more stress and burdens than you deserve to bear. You can change the world starting with yourself and the people closest to you. There will not always be a reward or an acknowledgment for your efforts to impact others, the key is to give and release attachment to the outcome. Surrender your control over change.
Whatever you aspire to do with your influence remember that people are still in control of their lives; when and if they want to make a change is their decision. Your inspiration is enough to get them going when the time is right.
The San Diego Monitor
3
RE-BRANDING
BLACK AMERICA When keeping it real goes wrong- Nick’s perspective Nick Cannon — the actor, TV show host and musician — has been fired from his long-running comedy improv show Wild 'N Out. It comes after he made anti-Semitic comments on his podcast and YouTube show, Cannon's Class. Wild 'N Out's parent company, ViacomCBS, released a statement saying, "We are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him." Cannon responded to the firing via a post on Facebook, saying, "I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right." Cannon added that he tried to reach out to ViacomCBS Chair Shari Redstone to apologize — an assertion that a ViacomCBS spokesperson called "absolutely untrue." Cannon also demanded full ownership of the Wild 'N Out brand he helped create. "Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me," he wrote on Facebook. "For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming and of course, Wild 'N Out."
The podcast episode in question features Cannon interviewing Richard Griffin, better known as Professor Griff, who was kicked out of the wildly popular rap group Public Enemy in 1989 after doing an interview in The Washington Times, where he reportedly claimed that Jews were responsible "for the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe." Throughout the interview, Cannon engages in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, asking why "we give so much power to the 'theys,' and 'theys' turn into illuminati, the Zionists, the Rothschilds," — referring to the wealthy Jewish family often used as a dog whistle for anti-Semitism. Cannon's firing is happening at the same time as other highprofile figures (in sports and music) have recently trafficked in similar anti-Semitic conspiracies — all summed up in a recent oped from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in The Hollywood Reporter: These famous, outspoken people share the same scapegoat logic as all oppressive groups from Nazis to the KKK: all our troubles are because of bad-apple groups that worship wrong, have the wrong complexion, come from the wrong country, are the wrong gender or love the wrong gender. It's so disheartening to see people from groups that have been violently marginalized do the same thing to others without realizing that perpetuating this kind of bad logic is what perpetuates racism.
Continued on pg. 8
Black Educator is tapping into hidden potential – Afterschool program to Non-profit Dr. Kim Scott, founder and owner of the nonprofit service organization Teen Focus, Inc., believes that teens deserve better and that they need services that will enable and empower them to see and realize their true potential. For twenty years, Dr. Scott has been helping at-risk teens, after initially establishing an after-school program for at-risk youth in Moreno, California. Disrupting the underserved industry of black and brown media is the mission. “We would talk on the phone periodically, and we would always come back to this vision, Chris says.” She specifically designed Teen Focus to address the unique and unmet needs of disadvantaged and underserved teens who are all-too-often left to fend for themselves with little guidance, love, or encouragement. Each year in California, over 32,000 children enter the foster care system each year. Of those children, close to 50% of California teenagers who have lived in foster homes will find themselves homeless within their first two years of exiting foster care. Those teenagers are also far less likely to complete high school than those not in the foster care system. These statistics are shocking and heartbreaking – and they need to be changed.
Simply stated, California cannot and should not continue to allow these youth to fall through the cracks and become trapped in an ongoing cycle of poverty, hopelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. These teens deserve better, and they need services that will enable and empower them to see and realize their true potential.
Teen Focus Inc. & Their mission The goals and values of Teen Focus are simple and focused entirely on the growth and success of at-risk teens. Through their programs and services: Core Programming 1 – Growth Coach Program/ One-on-One School Success Coaching 2 – High School Credit Recovery Program/ Makeup failed courses and graduate with peers 3 – KLS High School Prep Academy/ Students will be well prepared for high school & beyond 4 – Peer Leadership Training/ We train high school students to become positive mentors for their peers To achieve these goals, Teen Focus seeks to work with each participant individual to help he or she succeed both inside and outside of the classroom and to meet and exceed their social, emotional, educational, and career-related goals. Learn more at TeenFocus.org
The San Diego Monitor
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Difficult conversations in the
Black community
Travailings - A look into the author’s journey
SDMN: What was the tipping point into your travail into victory?
Lavada England is an author, a community leader, a mother and a healer through her recently published work, Travailings. SDMnews was gifted an opportunity to learn about the author’s journey in manifesting and molding this creation.
LE: My tipping point was the second time I walked up Cowles Mountain. I don't know why it had to be the second time in which I encountered God, and this was just a few years back, upon this journey yet, this time hike was different from the first hike. It appeared as if I wasn't going to make it. The hike became very strenuous and I "felt" like turning back and giving up with aches, pain, and tears in my eyes. God reminded me of many of the challenges that I had endured in my life and the many times that I "felt" these same emotions with additional emotional turbulences nevertheless, I proceeded through my journey challenges in spite of my feelings and made it. I found victory at the top of every mountain! And sometimes valleys.
Speaking with the author SDMN: Why is the title Travailings, explain that? LE: The title of the book fits my life and the transparent world that I had to adjust to in order to make sense of my journey. At some point, everything that I endured I had to learn how to embrace the season and not emotionalize my way through the journey even though the journey was emotional. SDMN: Why did you need to do this book? LE: This book had to be established as part of my legacy! When God calls me home I will leave empty withholding nothing that I need to share not only for my daughters yet those that God has joined to me rather I have met them or not. SDMN: What single most important point for you was pivotal in terms of preserving? LE: The most important pivotal point of preserving is truly knowing my foundation. Foundation of value, beliefs, and implementation. SDMN: Why is the story of your Journey so important for you? LE: My story is many other's stories and though I was able to endure and share without pharmaceutical mental medications or hospitalizations I cannot take the credit yet, give All Glory To God the being that truly ignited the God in me that helped me overcome, endure, and sustain. As we know many don't make it without either of these helping aids.
SDMN: As you honor your journey, what does that say to your daughters? LE: Being the mother of four queens while honoring my journey, my hopes is that they will understand the strength that we as women have to hold to while holding the house up and down. Yes, it's not easy and sometimes respect must be demanded and healthy boundaries without regret must be established for one's own sanity. I trust that one day they will come into full wisdom and understanding as I stand as a woman of not just receiving honor yet giving honor. SDMN: Where can we support you and purchase the your book? LE: Travailings can be purchased on Amazon or Author Ashley Nicole's Bookshelf or directly on FaceBook at Lavada S. England (With The Flowing Personality) or Instagram @VadaJInspire Purchase “Travailings” on www.Amazon.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007475806742
The San Diego Monitor
SDMNEWS Must Read
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Taking a closer look w/ Cheryl Morrow Nick's rants come at a price most are not willing to pay. Every aspect of his firing fiasco is both ironic and sad. Irony in the sense that his remorse comes in cash as if he has something to atone for. In the form of a check that takes his BLACK money out of his BLACK family's mouth, to appease a Caucasian who practices Judaism and cannot be injured by his comments is ironic. WHY is one of our BLACK princes so willing to offer up CASH money because he stated some form of historical truths? As a Black youth, he has been mentored and exposed by some of his ancestral-intellectual foremother and fathers belief systems. It is as natural for all Black youth whose family were conscious to have this conversation with their children. But to offer up money to a people who continue to fight your people tooth and nail about reparative atonement such as Reparations is SO Sad! Nick’s quick check writing response and tour to expose himself to Jewish history is a complete breakdown in critical thinking. It sends the message that "Be good Black people and don't step on the toes of White/Caucasian/European systematic power by saying OUCH!" So, if slavery isn't enough, your right to complain about any aspects of your experience, though it may be historical fact or folklore is expected to be suppressed and silenced. The right to complain about human travesties are not exclusive to Jewish people.
The San Diego Monitor During the show I never saw Nick as Hostile (what AntiSemitism is). In other words, Jewish power fired him because Nick doesn't have the right to state his truth as he sees fit, and when Nick's reality did not portray a reality that didn't fit his employer, WAM! Anyone who speaks about or references it happened is injuring Jewish people, so, therefore, you are anti-Semitic! To prove Nick's point is magically made by those who can't take truth through via the 1st Amendment and the context of the comment directed at a group, not a person. Quoting historical facts or historical context like he was exposed to as a young man; then how does that become injurious and cause damages. The firing act states to Black People..."Your history is one of enslavement, and if you complain about it, implicate a group of Jewish people you are not historically stating facts you're causing noise pollution which is in the realm of a holy violation. So, we are firing you for a civil wrong. Reminding Black people that our atonement will be paid for. Merely voicing our grievances of the historical after taste of what I call the greatest human travesty at the hands of another human in the history of planet earth. So, what can the black press do in the case of a Black person fired due to SO-CALLED Ant-Semitism? Don't write headlines or make references to anyone who infers, writes or speaks about a group who contributed to the misery and terror of African descending people in such fashion as Anti-Semitism.
Proposition 16
asks voters to decide on reinstating affirmative action in California, allowing state agencies and institutions to once again consider race in employment, contracting and college admissions. In 1996, California voters passed Prop 209, which ended any consideration of race in decision making related to the state.
Ahead of the November election, the Opportunity for All Coalition has begun its “Yes on Proposition 16” campaign. To kick off the drive, the group held a virtual press conference featuring lawmakers, advocates and activists. “California has suffered for the last 24 years trying to create equality and justice and equal opportunity without an affirmative effort to do that. And we see a decline with regards to not only the achievement gap, but also the economic gap between people of color and women and White men in the state of California,” said Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. State Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen says the Black vote will be a deciding factor this election cycle across the United States. She said African Americans in California will also need to play a vital role in the approval of Prop 16, and the statewide campaign before it to educate voters about the benefits of the proposal. “There are many experts out there and they are expecting record turnout this election. But one thing that we know is that Black voters are critical, and we need Black voters to turn out all the way up from the top of the ballot all the way down,” she said. “Prop 16 is one of the many important ballot measures that is going to help us chip away at the structural racism that has prevented too many Black Californians from realizing their full potential.”
ACA 5, the legislation Weber introduced that paved the way for Prop 16 to become a ballot initiative, passed the California Assembly with a 60-14 vote on June 10. Shortly after, the state Senate approved the proposal with a 30-10 vote on June 24. Eva Paterson, President of the Equal Justice Society and co-chair of the “Yes on Proposition 16” campaign, emphasized the importance of the proposition during the current national reckoning on racism that is happening across the country. “What we hear repeatedly are calls for the end of systemic racism. The reinstatement of affirmative action is a concrete way to dismantle systemic racism…” said Paterson. People opposed to Prop 16 have already begun to organize around the state. On July 12 in Fremont, Fremont City Council member Yang Shao joined anti-Prop 16 activists for a rally that was streamed on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. “Some students would go to a worse school than others only because of their race,” said Jeff Yang a student activist at the Fresno rally. “How is that fair? How does that make us feel that the United States of America is actually equal?” Weber said opportunity should be shared by all people across California, particularly because it is a state that is majority ethnic and has a majority of women. “Proposition 16 will give us an opportunity to restore affirmative action back to California, not to restore quotas, not to restore any kind of preferential system, but a system of outreach and opportunity that will allow California to work to acquire the kind of equal opportunity that is so necessary for the state,” Weber added.
Who deserves reparations and why? As state and federal lawmakers grapple with whether or not the State of California -- and the United States as a whole -should take a closer look at what it owes the descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, a group of Black California activists are getting ahead of the conversation. They are distilling the case for reparations down to why African Americans deserve to get paid for centuries of free labor and the Jim Crow laws and other forms of stateenforced discriminatory practices that followed. They are also specifying which segment of Black Americans should get those payments. On July 12, the Los Angeles chapter of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) hosted a live stream that dug down into the complexities of securing reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black people in the United States. Experts on the history of the Black experience in America laid out the case for reparations. After that, ADOS activists followed with and a no-holds-barred conversation on race, racism and reparations. They discussed how some Americans, people of other races and some Blacks, too, often misunderstand the arguments at the foundation of their agenda. The live stream featured Dr. William A. Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen, co-authors of “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century.” The husbandand-wife duo started the show with denouncing the notion that slavery in America is ancient history.
“When you’re thinking about slavery from a generational perspective, it’s not that long ago,” Mullen said. “The legacy of slavery is something that we’re still feeling today.” Darity noted that reparations should not be distributed exclusively to mitigate the effects of generational slavery, but to recompense for all of the oppressive economic systems that have targeted Black people in America for centuries. “The case that we build in ‘From Here to Equality’ is not restricted to so-called slavery reparations in the first place,” Darity said. “Our premise is that there is a series of atrocities that have been inflicted on Black Americans that have affected their economic status. So, we begin with slavery but then we move into the post-slavery era where the first atrocity was the failure to provide the formerly enslaved with any form of restitution.” Darity mentioned the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the fall of Black Wall Street, citing it as one example of the ways Black people experienced economic violence in America. He asserted that the racial wealth disparity in the US can be directly tied to atrocities like that committed by citizens as well as systemic discriminatory practices, and it can be assuaged with reparations. “While 25% of white households have a net worth in excess of $1 million, it is only 4% for Black households in the United States. So, to close that gap would require an allocation of funds that would at least amount to 10 to 12 trillion dollars and that’s what we think should be one of the central objectives of a Black reparations project.” Continued on pg. 11
The San Diego Monitor
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Moore was referring to $500,000 in stocks President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama reportedly inherited from the former POTUS’ maternal grandparents’ estate. Regarding Harris, he was pointing to Insight Center study, The Color of Wealth, that revealed that “Asian Indian” families (Harris’ mother, who is deceased, was Indian) have the second highest median net worth ($460,000) of all sub-groups in Los Angeles County. U.S. Black median net worth in Los Angeles County ranks the lowest at $4,000. As far as policy, Darity briefly talked about speaking to Congress about H.R. 40, also known as the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for AfricanAmericans Act, which is a bill that was introduced last year that if implemented would create a commission to determine the merits and logistics of providing reparations for the descendants of Black slaves. Since its televised introduction in the House Judiciary Committee last year, legislators in the lower house of the U.S. Congress have not revisited H.R. 40. The bill would expire if no action is taken on it before the 116th Congress ends in January. In California, on June 11, the State Assembly voted 61-12 to approve AB 3121, titled the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The Senate Judiciary Committee is now reviewing the legislation before it holds a hearing and votes on it. If passed, the bill would be referred to the full Senate for an up-or-down vote. Last week, in Asheville, North Carolina, the city Council apologized for the town’s role in slavery and discrimination and i5 voted to provide reparations for its Black residents in the form of investments in areas where Black residents face inequities. Antonio Moore, a Los Angeles-based attorney and ADOS co-founder, says the distinction between descendants of slaves and other Black Americans does make a difference when it comes to generational wealth, citing former President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (DCA) as his examples. “What do you do in a world where your first Black president inherited $500,000 from his White lineage and your possible, most likely, first Black Vice President basically lived as an elite ‘Indian’ – they out earn White folks; and then told you that she’s just as Black as you because she went to Howard,” he said.
According to a Gallup News poll conducted in 2019, 27 % of Black Americans are opposed to the United States making cash payments to individuals for reparations. Coleman Hughes, a columnist at the online magazine Quillette. who testified against HR 40 before the House Judiciary Committee in June 2019, says “Paying reparations to all descendants of Black people in the United States who were slaves “is a mistake.” “Take me as an example. I was born three decades after the end of Jim Crow into a privileged household in the suburbs. I attend an Ivy League school,” he said at the congressional hearing. “Yet WWW.SDMONITORNEWS.COM I’m descended from slaves who worked on Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation.” “The movement relies heavily on right-wing, anti-Black, antiimmigrant talking points, and a series of policy positions reliant on a person’s ability to produce documentation or what I am calling ‘slave papers’ in order to verify Black native identity,” said Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, a writer for the Institute of the Black World 21st Century. “If implemented, the end result of these policies could be a weakened, further marginalized Black population.”