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COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II

NNPA NEWSWWIRE — We recalled “the good ole days” when kids who had a beef with each other fought it out – by hand. They exchanged punches and bruises, exhausted themselves, made up, and shortly were friends again. They lived to fight another day, and as years passed, looked back on the disagreement and laughed about it as a learning experience.
The post COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2023

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I was Just Thinking…

By Norma Adams-Wade | Texas Metro News

In part I of this discussion, we recalled “the good ole days” when kids who had a beef with each other fought it out – by hand. They exchanged punches and bruises, exhausted themselves, made up, and shortly were friends again. They lived to fight another day, and as years passed, looked back on the disagreement and laughed about it as a learning experience. Not so today. Enter stage left the mass-killing power of the deadly AK-47 and AR-15 semi-automatic rifles that pro-gun advocates refuse to call “assault weapons.”

I was just thinking…what is it about these two rifles that have so scarred our society in the hands of individuals who should not have access to them? Let’s explore. AK-47. This shoulder weapon has been in use for 76 years, since 1947. It was designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a Russian inventor, military engineer, and writer. AK-47 stands for “Automatic Kalashnikov 1947.” Kalashnikov for the name of the inventor and 47 for the year he designed it.

As we said in Part I, media reports usually add the word “style” when mentioning the two weapons in news stories to avoid confusing them with the original models. The Soviet Armed Forces began using this attack and defense rifle in 1949, lauding it for being an improvement over previous combat weapons, and easier to mass produce. It holds 30 rounds and can fire 600 rounds per minute, depending on how quickly the shooter can reload.

Eventually, Soviet soldiers reported some problems with the weapon’s accuracy. It still remains very popular, though more efficient military firearms have been designed. As the popularity grew, the inventor was quoted saying he lamented the direction society had taken his AK-47 invention. He said he designed it as a “weapon of defense, not a weapon of offense.” Below is the other weapon frequently used in mass shootings. AR-15.

The letter ID of this weapon does not stand for Automatic Rifle or Assault Rifle – a common misconception. This weapon is named after its American manufacturer, Armalite Rifle. The 15 represents the model. It is the 15th weapon design that the Armalite company produced. Vietnam War soldiers used a Colt-manufactured derivative of the weapon called the M16. Eugene Stoner, Armalite’s lead gun designer, created the weapon shortly after the company began operating in 1954.

He designed it for civilian use, mainly for local law enforcement and game hunters. It now is considered among the nation’s most popular high-powered semi-automatic firearms. The light-weight rifle weighs about 6 pounds and can easily be customized with fancy attachments — tactical lights, magazines, stocks, buffers, muzzles, etc. –that fascinate gun-enthusiasts at crowded gun shows.

Unfortunately, because of its power, ease and efficiency, the AR-15 has become the go to weapon for mass shootings. Anyone can buy this deathly weapon at age 18, and in Tex – as with almost no regulation. Researchers say about 500 companies currently manufacture their own AR-15-style firearm. The now vilified National Rifle Association (NRA) estimates there are about 8 million AR-15-style rifles in circulation in the U. S. Under former President Bill Clinton, the federal government banned semi-automatic assault weapons from 1994 to 2004. After that decade, sales and popularity ballooned. Debate also heightened concerning how to confine its use to responsible and mentally stable individuals.

(TO BE CONTINUED) Part III will examine the now-vilified National Rifle Association (NRA) – its history, purpose, leaders, and who it attracts as members.

Norma Adams-Wade, is a proud Dallas native, University of Texas at Austin journalism graduate and retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and was its first southwest regional director. She became The News’ first Black full-time reporter in 1974. norma_adams_wade@yahoo.com

The post COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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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