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OPINION: The Attack on America is Broad; To Rebuff, Unity is Required

This time, the plaintiffs were smart. They recruited disgruntled recently immigrated Asian Americans who had been rejected from Harvard and organized them as white proxies. With these new “victims,” professional anti-affirmative action advocates sued Harvard for its admissions process that takes race into consideration. The white proxy Asians (WPA) claimed they were discriminated against even though Harvard has in recent years admitted more Asians than any other time in its history, reaching as high as 26% in recent years.

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2021

Oakland Post

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. His talk show, “Emil Amok’s Takeout” is on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @emilamok

By Emil Guillermo

The extension of child tax credits, universal pre-K, aid for seniors, immigrants, DACA recipients — all that would have been a nice Christmas gift to America.

Instead, Sen. Joe Manchin has become the Omicron of Congress, wiping out Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

As if that were the only thing we have to worry about.

Just as with abortion rights and voting rights, the future of affirmative action could be in the hands of a new 6-3 conservative Supreme Court.

And along the way, that issue is being used to divide Blacks, Latinos, and Asians.

We must not let that happen.

In California, affirmative action has already been made illegal in public employment, contracting and education when voters were fooled in 1996 by Prop. 209. When conservatives twisted the MLK quote about not being “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” it became the driving force behind an ideal of “colorblindness.” That rhetorical trick ended affirmative action as a useful tool to eliminate discrimination and create equity in our state.

It’s still the law nationally, however. But conservatives are pressuring a court that now tilts their way to end affirmative action as discriminatory.

This time, the plaintiffs were smart. They recruited disgruntled recently immigrated Asian Americans who had been rejected from Harvard and organized them as white proxies.

With these new “victims,” professional anti-affirmative action advocates sued Harvard for its admissions process that takes race into consideration. The white proxy Asians (WPA) claimed they were discriminated against even though Harvard has in recent years admitted more Asians than any other time in its history, reaching as high as 26% in recent years.

The white proxies lost in the district court, lost again in the federal court of appeals, and now they’re asking the Supreme Court to take up the case.

Before hearing it, the court asked the Biden administration to submit a brief, apparently to buy time. When you have a 6-3 conservative majority, the court is giddy with rollback fever. Abortion rights, voting rights, civil rights. The dance card is filled. Affirmative action — take a number.

The Biden administration has responded with a brief that affirms the lower courts’ view of Harvard’s admissions.

Yet, the new claim of the white proxies is that Asian Americans are now scapegoated because of the failures of the educational system.

The thinking is if a 4.0 Asian American doesn’t get in, then is it fair if another “less qualified” Black or Latino person gets in?

The proxies really believe that admissions should be totally numerical. Ranked by grades, top people get in. If that’s 100% Asian American, so be it. Fair is fair? Or is merit too exclusive?

Didn’t the fight for equity begin when schools like Harvard were 100% white?

100% anything isn’t right in America.

Harvard’s admissions actually follow the guidelines set by previous court precedents that allow race to be used in conjunction with other factors. Race is not the sole factor, and neither are just grades or just test scores. Or your violin solo.

And quotas are always illegal.

Admissions at Harvard complies with the law, which has long been considered settled. Like Roe v. Wade in abortion.

But the disgruntled stay persistent. And now the court could go 6-3 wrong in their favor, in what could be another beat in the great undoing of America.

You should know that the majority of Asian Americans actually support affirmative action and are in solidarity with Blacks and Latinos. We’re appalled that the AAPI community has been split, with one part used to attack other communities of color.

All this is coming to roost during the holiday “slowdown.” Let’s take the time to find and understand our common ground. Even with Omicron as a backdrop, we must stay positive, hopeful. And Merry. The fight for our future demands unity.

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. His talk show, “Emil Amok’s Takeout” is on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @emilamok

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BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

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18 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”

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Oakland Post: Week of December 11 – 17, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 11 – 17, 2024

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4 days ago

December 13, 2024

Oakland Post

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Post News Group to Host Second Town Hall on Racism, Hate Crimes

The mission of CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations (businesses) and from hate violence and human trafficking in accordance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, and Ralph Civil Rights Act. The employment anti-discrimination provisions of the FEHA apply to public and private employers, labor organizations and employment agencies. “Housing providers” includes public and private owners, real estate agents and brokers, banks, mortgage companies, and financial institutions.

Published

1 week ago

December 10, 2024

Oakland Post

By Oakland Post Staff

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5-6:30 p.m. PT, Post News Group Global Features Journalist Carla Thomas will host a second Virtual Town Hall on Racism.

Guests will include community builders Trevor Parham of Oakstop and Shawn Granberry of Hip Hop TV.

“There’s been an uptick of blatant racist acts going on in the community and it’s important for communities to have a forum, an outlet, and to be educated on the California Vs. Hate initiative that has resources available for victims and witnesses,” said Thomas. People like Trevor Parham and Shawn Granberry have found a multitude of ways to strengthen, heal, and protect the community through their entrepreneurial networks, special events, and mentoring.”

While community leaders step up, the state has added extra support with the CA vs. Hate, initiative, a non-emergency hate incident and hate crime reporting system to support individuals and communities targeted for hate.

“We are committed to making California a safer and inclusive place for all,” said James Williams, Jr. of the California Civil Rights Department.

In partnership with organizations across the state, the network is designed to support and protect diverse and underserved communities.

“Through CA vs. Hate, we support individuals and communities targeted for hate, identify options for next steps after an act of hate, and connect people with culturally competent resources and care coordination services,” said Williams.

“It’s important to report these incidents in order for us to use the data to enhance prevention and response services,” said Williams.

Funded by the California State Legislature, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) received funding and authorization from the State Legislature to establish the non-emergency, CA vs. Hate Resource Line and Network to support individuals and communities targeted for hate.

CRD began in 1959 with the creation of the Fair Employment Practices Commission to implement California’s first state-wide protections against discrimination in the workplace. In 1980, the 1959 Fair Employment Practices Act, and the 1963 Rumford Fair Housing Act were combined and rebranded FEHA. The Fair Employment Practices Commission became a department-level agency named the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to enforce that law.

In July 2022, DFEH’s name changed to CRD to more accurately reflect the Department’s powers and duties, which include enforcement of laws prohibiting hate violence, human trafficking, discrimination in business establishments, and discrimination in government-funded programs and activities, among others.

For more information visit the PostNewsGroup.com and CAvsHATE.ORG.