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Bloomberg: ‘I apologize!’

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “We didn’t get everything right,” he (Bloomberg) admitted after citing various achievements during his administrations and warming to the central topic of stop-and-frisk. He said he could have acted faster on stop-and-frisk. “I was wrong, and I am sorry.” He said he was too “focused on saving lives…and hindsight is twenty/twenty” and that he gradually began to halt the arrests of an overwhelming number of Black and Latino men.

Published

5 years ago

November 21, 2019

Oakland Post

Bloomberg Philanthropies/Wikipedia Commons

By Herb Boyd, New York Amsterdam News

Was it Trump? Was it Obama? Nope. The surprise visitor last Sunday to the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn was former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Not until the mega church’s Senior Pastor, the Rev. A. R. Bernard, introduced him to the crowded pews, was anyone aware it would be Bloomberg.

“I hope you don’t mind that a good friend of mind has stopped by this morning,” Rev. Bernard said to his congregation and then announced Bloomberg’s presence. Many of those in the front pews of the church knew he was there but the press lodged in the balcony had no idea he was there. Bloomberg mounted the stage, greeted the audience, and moved quickly into his remarks after accepting rather polite applause. He said that this wasn’t the first time he had been to the church, “in fact, and my mother didn’t know this, I spent more time in church than the temple.” But Bloomberg’s purpose, as his candidacy for president becomes more and more a reality, was to clear up some missteps in the past during his three terms as mayor.

“We didn’t get everything right,” he admitted after citing various achievements during his administrations and warming to the central topic of stop-and-frisk. He said he could have acted faster on stop-and-frisk. “I was wrong, and I am sorry.”

He said he was too “focused on saving lives…and hindsight is twenty/twenty” and that he gradually began to halt the arrests of an overwhelming number of Black and Latino men.

Again, the response was lukewarm and the balcony, which earlier rocked when the gospel singers lifted their voices, was now calm. The listeners attentive. The press was given a handout showing a 39 percent reduction in incarceration during Bloomberg’s mayoralty; that murders were cut by 50 percent, while the national average only experienced an 11 percent reduction; and as he noted during his brief speech, racial and ethnic minorities became the majority of the NYPD.

While Bloomberg admitted that his first term in 2002 was terrible, he didn’t mention that there were more than 92,000 stops and that by 2011 there were more than 685,000 stops, the majority of whom were Black and Latino, and 90 percent of them innocent of any wrongdoing. His critics viewed these tactics as a form of terrorism, a fear factor that played well to those opposed to his measures of gun violence.

And after his apology, he returned to the theme of gun violence which was at the top of his comments. According to the handout he is among the nation’s leading advocates on gun control. He said his Young Men’s Initiative to reduce violence, prompted President Obama to create his My Brother’s Keeper program.

“So that’s why the press was here,” one of the church members seated nearby observed.”

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

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.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org