By Rhonda M. Smith, Special to California Black Media Partners

Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”

That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.

That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.

The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts.

These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. Showing up amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power.

I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.

About the Author

Rhonda M. Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity for all Black Californians.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

By Emil Guillermo

The inauguration of Donald J. Trump, convicted felon, takes place on Jan. 20. He’s promised to not to be a dictator “except for Day One.” Don’t let that mar your MLK Day.

I will be thinking about Dr. King, but also Rodney Nickerson, the first person reported dead last week in Altadena. More names will come out as the fire’s death toll rises.

It’s already tested our descriptive powers. Let’s stop using words like “apocalypse” or “war zone” or say the scene looks “like a bomb hit L.A.”

Call it what it is. The fires were a disaster borne of climate change.

The unimaginable devastation forces us all to confront what can no longer be denied.

Climate change is real, and the catastrophe is personal, claiming the lives of people like the 82-year-old Nickerson, who moved to Altadena in the L.A. area, when it was the only place in that area where Blacks and others could buy a home.

His daughter found him in his bed last week. He died holding a garden hose.

Race and class are part of the climate change tragedy. But here’s the thing about fire and smoke: They don’t discriminate. The Santa Ana winds, clocking in at times at speeds in excess of 80 mph, have turned all of L.A. into a powder keg, where one spark can ignite unimaginable chaos.

Watching from afar, I’ve been transfixed by the crisis in LA. As a San Francisco native, I’m supposed to have a bit of smug superiority when it comes to Southern California. But not this week.

Instead, I’ve found myself filled with love and empathy for L.A. I even found myself thinking: Take our Northern California water, L.A.  For now. You need it more than we do.

These fires are an unnatural tragedy that’s not supposed to happen in winter. Last year, L.A. faced mudslides and floods. This winter, LA has seen a paltry 0.02 inches of rain, compared to an average of 3.46 inches.

Combine that with intense, unrelenting winds and dry conditions, and California now has a year-round fire season fueled by climate change.

Hotter summers, drier winters, and decades of poor decisions around land use and water management have turned the Golden State into a tinderbox. It’s also a preview of what’s coming for the rest of America as global temperatures rise and devastating extreme weather events become routine.

For a country where ‘wokeness’ has become a dirty word. Pay attention to all the fires — the ones in L.A. and the ones set by Trump.

Let’s continue to stand together for the America of our dreams and reassured by Dr. King’s belief: that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is an award-winning journalist, commentator, and storyteller. He hosts “Emil Amok’s Takeout” on YouTube and on patreon.com.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

By Scott Knight

January is a time to recharge and recover from the holidays. It is also National Mental Wellness Month, which recognizes the importance of mental health and aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 57.8 million adults lived with some form of mental illness in 2023. The severity varies from person to person. Understanding mental health statistics in the U.S. can raise awareness and garner support for those in need.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness and women are more likely than men to experience depression. 17% of adolescents ages 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode. And 33.5% of adults with living with a mental illness also has a substance use disorder.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) collects data on substance use and mental health. Their 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that multiracial people had the highest rate of mental illness at 36.7%, followed by Whites (24%), American Indian/Alaskan natives (23.5%), Hispanics (20.6%), Blacks (19.4%), and Asians (18.1%).

Mental illness affects people differently. Children ages 6-17 are three times more likely to repeat a grade if they have mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems. Those with severe mental illness have a life span of 10 to 25 years shorter than the general population. 64% of jail inmates have a mental illness compared to 21.6% of the general adult population.

National Mental Wellness Month involves highlighting the resources available to equip individuals with the capacity to cope with life’s difficulties; have healthy relationships and take care of their mental well-being before issues arise.

Wellbeingtrust.org tells us that having a purpose in life offers many benefits, including being happier, living longer, sleeping better, and improved heart health. To find that purpose explore your interests, volunteer, consider what you love to do, talk to friends and family, and try new experiences.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental illness.

The Jason Foundation is a valuable resource if you feel that a friend or loved one is struggling with a mental illness. JFI is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of suicide through educational programs that equip youth, parents, educators, and the community with the tools and resources to identify and assist those who may be struggling mentally.

Visit www.jasonfoundation.com to learn how to make a difference and find the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office.

About the Author

Scott Knight is the Education Specialist at the Jason Foundation.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post