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A Dark Future for Black Americans

NNPA NEWSWIRE-Black Americans make up 18.2% of the federal workforce, providing crucial, stable jobs. This proposal aims to create a “color-blind” society by stopping racial counts and erasing progress in workplace diversity and equal opportunity.
The post A Dark Future for Black Americans first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 months ago

July 15, 2024

Oakland Post

Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is a major threat! As we look toward November’s presidential election, we must confront what this plan means for our community. This plan is a stark reminder of the hardships we faced under his previous administration, and it promises to deepen the challenges for Black Americans in critical ways.

We simply cannot ignore the projected economic impact Project 2025 will have on Black Americans. To know what we should expect looking forward, we must look back. Trump’s tax cuts continue to mainly benefit the rich along with big corporations, leaving many Black families with only a tiny fraction of the advantages. Project 2025 will undoubtedly worsen this by adding work requirements that unfairly target Black folks, feeding harmful stereotypes, and deepening racial job market disparities. Compared to other workers, African Americans are already half as likely to receive callbacks for entry-level jobs. These new requirements will only make economic stability harder to achieve.

Unfortunately, Project 2025’s plan to replace long-term civil servants with presidential appointees threatens the stability of many Black families. Black Americans make up 18.2% of the federal workforce, providing crucial, stable jobs. This proposal aims to create a “color-blind” society by stopping racial counts and erasing progress in workplace diversity and equal opportunity. This plan is simply a rollback from the progressive and inclusive workforce policy that has stabilized the wealth of Black earners since the 1960s. It jeopardizes the economic security and career prospects of thousands of Black Americans who rely on these government jobs for their livelihoods.

Another deeply troubling aspect of Project 2025 is its fervent attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This plan is an omnibus conservative policy initiative that seeks to end affirmative action and DEI initiatives, which have been crucial in fostering a more inclusive society. We’ve already seen the damaging effects of anti-DEI rhetoric in Texas, where the University of Houston closed its LGBTQ resource center, and the University of Texas at Austin fired dozens of DEI-related employees. These actions undermine progress toward equality and harm marginalized communities, including Black Americans.

Similarly, the public education of our youth is also under attack. Project 2025 proposes to slash federal funding for essential programs like Title I and IDEA, which support low-income districts and students with special needs. This reckless approach would turn these funds into unregulated block grants, jeopardizing the futures of countless children. I know firsthand the importance of programs like Head Start, which provided a crucial foundation for my education. Dismantling these programs means denying the same opportunities to the next generation.

One of the most alarming aspects alluded to in the first debate is the proposed extreme abortion ban. They are stripping women of their rights and endangering their health. Maternal mortality affects Black women disproportionately. In many circumstances, elective termination procedures protect a woman’s right to choose the best possible outcome. Moreover, this agenda includes removing requirements for insurance to cover certain forms of contraception, further limiting reproductive choices for women of color. The right’s push to classify emergency contraceptives like Ella as abortifacients could exacerbate racial health disparities, as women of color already face systemic barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare.

Speaking of healthcare, the plan also threatens to remove the lower prescription drug costs and healthcare access that have been lifelines for many in our community, helping to achieve record-high insurance rates among Black Americans. At a time when inflation has spiked the cost of necessities, a drastic rise in prescription costs will be a death sentence for Black people with chronic illnesses.

In the face of these challenges, our resilience and unity are more important than ever. We must stand together to oppose Project 2025 and protect the progress we’ve made. Our community’s strength lies in our ability to support one another and fight for a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The stakes are incredibly high for Black Americans. Together, we can make sure our voices are heard and our rights are protected. Let’s remain vigilant, informed, and proactive.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

The post A Dark Future for Black Americans first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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#NNPA BlackPress

#LET IT BE KNOWN — LIVE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Published

3 weeks ago

August 20, 2024

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#NNPA BlackPress

Democrats Call for Fierce Defense of Democracy and Working-Class Values

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Democrats from all political backgrounds came together to honor President Biden’s legacy, which includes unwavering efforts to reduce costs for middle-class Americans, repair a deteriorating infrastructure, and defend democracy from unprecedented threats.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 20, 2024

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

In an electrifying moment at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) that likely set the tone for the party’s campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on the opening night, seizing the stage to the triumphant anthem of Beyoncé’s “Freedom.” The crowd erupted with fire in her voice as Harris declared, “I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden. Thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you.” The first night of the DNC was more than a celebration; it was a battle cry. Democrats from all political backgrounds came together to honor President Biden’s legacy, which includes unwavering efforts to reduce costs for middle-class Americans, repair a deteriorating infrastructure, and defend democracy from unprecedented threats. The message was clear: Biden’s work is not done, and Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are ready to continue that fight.

Speakers who are most familiar with Biden, such as Senators Raphael Warnock and Chris Coons, as well as Dr. Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, shared stories that painted a picture of a president who is unwaveringly dedicated to the American people. “In public and in private, President Biden never backed down from his vision for an America where everyone has a fair shot,” Warnock emphasized. Dr. Biden and Ashley Biden gave heartfelt tributes to the man who led the nation and his family with steadfast devotion. The emotional high point of the evening came when Biden, introduced by his daughter Ashley, took the stage to a thunderous ovation as “Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher” filled the arena. The crowd’s response was deafening, with chants of “We love Joe” and “Thank You, Joe” reverberating throughout the hall, a powerful testament to Biden’s connection with the American people.

In a speech that was as much a rallying cry as it was a reflection on his presidency, Biden delivered a stark reminder of what’s at stake. “Let me ask you… Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and America? Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?” Biden’s words resonated as he recalled the perilous moment of his inauguration, just weeks after supporters of the twice-impeached former president stormed the U.S. Capitol. “You cannot say I love my country only when you win,” Biden asserted. “The winter of peril and possibility has passed, and with a grateful heart, I stand before you to report that democracy has prevailed. But now, democracy must be preserved.” Biden highlighted the progress made under his administration, pointing to economic recovery, healthcare expansion, and the battle against corporate greed. He singled out Harris’s critical role in these achievements. “We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the world… More Americans have health insurance than at any time in American history. And we finally beat big pharma. Guess who cast the tie-breaking vote? Vice President and soon-to-be President Kamala Harris. Now it’s the law of the land—$35 a month for insulin.”

The evening was charged with passionate speeches that struck the heart of the nation’s issues. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a searing indictment of Donald Trump, contrasting Harris’s steadfast dedication to American values with Trump’s chaotic legacy. “Kamala won’t disrespect our military and our veterans,” Clinton declared to thunderous applause. “She will defend democracy and our Constitution and will protect America from enemies foreign and domestic. Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial, and when he woke up, he made history as the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions.” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a fiery endorsement of Harris, framing her as the champion of the middle-class needs. “In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class,” Ocasio-Cortez proclaimed. “She understands the urgency of rent checks, groceries, and prescriptions. She is as committed to our reproductive and civil rights as she is to taking on corporate greed. She is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bring hostages home.”

Ocasio-Cortez didn’t hold back in her critique of Trump, accusing him of being a self-serving demagogue. “Donald Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends,” she said. “I, for one, am tired of hearing about how a two-bit union buster thinks of himself as more of a patriot than the woman who fights every single day to lift working people out from under the boots of greed trampling on our way of life.” The night was filled with moments that galvanized the crowd. Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, invoking the words of Steph Curry, declared, “After the results are tallied that night, we can tell Donald Trump, ‘Night, night.’“UAW President Shawn Fain tore off his jacket to reveal a shirt emblazoned with the words “TRUMP IS A SCAB,” igniting the crowd into a fervent chant of “Trump’s a scab! Trump’s a scab!”

In one of the night’s most pointed moments, Rep. Jasmine Crockett drew a stark contrast between Harris and Trump: “She became a career prosecutor while he became a career criminal. Who would you hire? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Kamala Harris has a resume, and Donald Trump has a rap sheet with 34 felonies, 2 impeachments, and 1 porn star to prove it.” The NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Melanie Campbell, the President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, led a standing ovation for civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson during the celebration.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also delivered a powerful message that resonated deeply with the audience. “I know that my daughter will see not only a reflection of herself in the White House, but she will experience the deepest part of American values… Kamala Harris—she’s got us.” Harris’s words from earlier in the night echoed as the event ended: “We are at a pivotal moment. The choices we make now will determine the future of our nation. Together, we will fight for the soul of America and build a future where everyone has a fair shot. Our best days are still ahead, and we are ready to lead.”