Community

Faith Leaders to End Gun Violence Convene at White House

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy announced on June 25 a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, declaring “firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis.”

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Oakland pastors at the White House to End Gun Violence. (L-R) Pastors Darnell Hammock, Bishop Keith Clark, Pastor Michael Wallace, and Pastor Zachary Carey. Photo courtesy of ION (Impact Oakland Now).

Oakland Pastors join in to show leadership on public safety responses

Special to The Post

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy announced on June 25 a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, declaring “firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis.”

A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue. This advisory is the first publication from the Office of the Surgeon General dedicated to gun violence, and it outlines the devastating and far-reaching consequences that firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of the country.

The advisory states since 2020, firearm‑related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children.

On June 26, Live Free CA Clergy Table served as co-conveners of a National Clergy Emergency Strategic Planning Meeting at the White House with Gregory Jackson, Jr., special assistant to the President and deputy director of The Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Rev. Thomas Bowen, senior advisor for Public Engagement for the White House and over 40 faith leaders from around the country to begin the process of developing a wholistic plan of action.

Local clergy leaders Pastor Michael W. Wallace, Pastor Zachary Carey, Bishop Keith Clark of Impact Oakland Now (ION), and Pastor Darnell Hammock of Oakland and Pastor Les Simmons of Sacramento participated in the meeting.

Pastor Wallace spoke at the White House meeting to emphasize the importance of getting the resources to trusted and credible leaders and organizations in the most vulnerable communities and accentuating the critical role of the Black Church and that it must be included in the strategy.

“For the Black Church remains the trusted voice with trusted information and proven leadership in addressing the critical issues facing our communities,” he said.

After years of heavy lifting, relentless organizing, and unwavering advocacy through LIVE FREE, under the national leadership of Pastor Mike McBride, the proper designation of gun violence has taken place. These clergy leaders share the belief that a meaningful public health approach is critical to prevent gun violence and brings together a wide-range of experts across various disciplines—including researchers, advocates, legislators, community-based organizations, faith leaders and others—in a common effort to develop, evaluate, and properly implement equitable, evidence-based solutions to this national crisis.

Pastor Wallace of Oakland says, “the Live Free CA Table is fully committed to working to alleviate the Gun Violence Crisis in America that is having a devastating impact on our children, families, congregations and communities.”

Wallace further states, “This historic announcement by the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Advisory that “Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America” will cause a major shift in the approach to stop gun violence and the allocation of resources to directly address the real root causes to help to alleviate this crisis.”

Studies have shown that such high levels of exposure to firearm violence for both children and adults give rise to a cycle of trauma and fear within our communities, contributing to the nation’s mental health crisis.

This Advisory describes the public health crisis of firearm violence in America and describes strategies for firearm injury and violence prevention, with a focus on the health and well-being of children, families, and communities.

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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#NNPA BlackPress

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

1 week 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.