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COMMENTARY: Social Issues May Be Tipping Points in Determining Upcoming Elections

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Life brings us a myriad of challenges and opportunities. How we navigate them is one of the keys to successful living. Many of them become ballot box issues. We look for candidates and organizations that share our views. When we do, we will vote for them, or we will use their services.

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2022

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By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D. | Houston Forward Times

Elections are always determined by the issues and concerns of the day.

That is how it has always been and that is how it will always be.

Life brings us a myriad of challenges and opportunities.

How we navigate them is one of the keys to successful living.

Many of them become ballot box issues.

We look for candidates and organizations that share our views.

When we do, we will vote for them, or we will use their services.

I have voted for a number of candidates over the years.

Some have won, while others have lost.

Elections are happening all over our country.

Candidates are jockeying for positions, trying to obtain endorsements and win votes.

Just from where I sit, more people are voting now.

It could be that they see the power of their vote now. Races are being won by close margins now.

A while back, a candidate lost a GOP primary in the state of Washington by one vote.

Kevin Entze, a police officer who lost by a single vote, later found out that one of his fellow officers had a memory lapse and forgot to mail in his ballot.

Entze said, “He left his ballot on his kitchen counter, and it never got sent out.”

That was unfortunate. Entze was probably sick.

Communities and schools have become more vocal about their wants and needs.

Money for them often comes about because “we the citizens” are going to the polls to vote.

Safety is on everybody’s priority list.

That means voting for additional monies to hire more police officers.

Statistics show that many police officers are leaving their positions because of a lack of resources.

Small towns and big cities are suffering from not having enough funds for much needed projects.

In some instances, for example, streets need fixing and traffic signals need replacing.

Schools remain under-funded and under-staffed.

Unfortunately, this has become a disturbing trend.

Now, more of these school-related issues are appearing on ballots.

We want good schools and great teachers, so we are having to find the necessary money to pay for them.

Women’s rights are at a crossroads in the eyes of many citizens.

Equity and parity are being debated now more than ever, in my opinion.

Over the years, women have disagreed about the choices they make about their bodies.

Abortion is a sensitive topic, yet now it is in the public square for debate and dialogue.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade.

Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority said, “Roe must be overruled because they were egregiously wrong, the arguments exceptionally weak and so damaging that they amounted to an abuse of judicial authority.”

If you are pro-life, you welcomed this decision.

However, there is another side.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan said that “The court decision means that young women will come of age with fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.”

Similar sentiments have been voiced by many women.

It is clear that this issue has already become a ballot box issue in some states, with more to come.

The mid-term elections will be held in November.

Some critics are already saying that these elections will be the most important in recent memory.

As reports indicate, all 435 House seats, and 35 of the 100 Senate seats, will be on the line.

As citizens, we are eagerly awaiting this election cycle, as we will vote for candidates who align with our perspectives.

What’s most important is that we exercise our right to vote.

The post Social Issues may be Tipping Points in Determining Upcoming Elections appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

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LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah

Published

6 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

https://youtube.com/watch?v=14B2itRmFgs&feature=oembed

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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism

Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

Published

6 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.

When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.

That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.

Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.

Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.

I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.

Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.

And we need policy.

Paid family leave.
Inclusive classrooms.
Early intervention access.
Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.

These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.

Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.

Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.

Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.

Oakland Post

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The Sacramento Observer and Savannah Tribune Win Big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

Published

6 days ago

June 27, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.

The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.

The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.

While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice. Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.

Other publications also earned multiple honors. The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.

All winners by category included:

Health Reporting – Emory O. Jackson Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: Birmingham Times

3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

Education Reporting – Frank L. Stanley Award

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Social Criminal Justice – Ida B. Wells Award

1st Place: Chicago Defender

2nd Place: Dallas Weekly

3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer

Environment – Wilbert L. Holloway Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Faith & Religion

1st Place: L.A. Sentinel

2nd Place: Baltimore Times

3rd Place: Final Call

Business Reporting

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Houston Defender

Editorial Opinion – Robert S. Abbott Award

1st Place: Forward Times

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Original Photography

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Entertainment Coverage – Armstrong Ellington Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Sports – Don King Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: St. Louis American

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Youth and Children Coverage

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle – Ada S. Franklin Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Special Editions – Leon H. Washington Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Washington Informer

Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington Rhodes Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

3rd Place: Seattle Medium

Layout & Design (Tabloid) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: Washington Informer

2nd Place: Texas Metro News

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Layout & Design (Broadsheet) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Website Excellence – A. Philip Randolph Award

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle

3rd Place: St. Louis American

Facebook Campaign

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Forward Times

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Instagram Campaign

1st Place: Texas Metro News

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Video Campaign

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel

Community Service – Karl Murphy Award

1st Place: Baltimore Times

2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Community Engagement – W.A. Scott II Award

1st Place: Dallas Weekly

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

Newspaper Excellence – John H. Sengstacke Award

1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune

2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Newsletter Excellence

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Savannah Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.