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LIVE Fireside Chat featuring Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. — February 20th, 2020

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “So, when you talk to me about housing, criminal justice, or wages or education or climate, I think it’s absolutely unrealistic to talk about it without bringing up the racial aspect of it, specifically regarding the black community,” said Steyer. Steyer stated that HBCUs have always been underfunded. Among his first acts as president, he would immediately adopt a policy where those schools would receive $125 billion in federal funding over ten years.

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2020

Oakland Post

If elected, Steyer said he’d impanel a formal commission on race on the first day of his presidency. “I would want it to be solution-oriented specifically with the idea of reparations,” Steyer stated.

Interview begins at the 03:30 mark in the playbar.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyMediaBrown

As president, Democratic candidate Tom Steyer said he would pledge $125 billion over ten years to continuously fund and fortify historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

During a fireside chat with National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. in Las Vegas, Steyer also pledged to end the school-to-prison pipeline that has affected millions of minorities.

The candidate also promised a living wage for workers, a 10 percent tax cut for everyone making under $250,000 a year, affordable health care for all Americans, and reparations for African Americans.

Steyer told Chavis that he’ll fight to correct the wrongs done to African Americans, and he will use the power of the presidency to help solve the plight of the nation’s more than 64,000 black women and girls who have gone missing.

“There is no policy area in America that I don’t think has a substantial, often unmentioned, but important aspect about race,” Steyer told Chavis.

The interview was live-streamed and made available to millions of viewers across social media and the platforms of the Black Press of America.

“So, when you talk to me about housing, criminal justice, or wages or education or climate, I think it’s absolutely unrealistic to talk about it without bringing up the racial aspect of it, specifically regarding the black community,” said Steyer.

Noting that the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have always been underfunded, Steyer shared that among his first acts as president, he would immediately adopt a policy where those schools would receive $125 billion in federal funding over ten years.

While reparations have been largely absent from the campaign trail, Steyer said he’s always been in favor of compensating African Americans for ravages of the transatlantic slave trade and all of the injustices that have occurred since.

“I’m the only person who will talk about reparations who is running,” Steyer stated. “I don’t think there’s any question, and I say to people, ‘did something terrible not happen? Are we not going to try and deliver justice for it? We’re the apology from the nation for what happened to African Americans?’”

“Black people don’t have fewer homes because they did something wrong; they were redlined. There has been legalized systematic injustice. If we’re too scared to talk about it, we’re too scared to solve it,” he stated.

“We need to figure out how to repair the damage. I don’t want to as a white person to say this is how we do it. I want to bring in the right people. We’re talking about a lot of money and knowing the best way to do it,” Steyer added.

Environmental injustice and access to affordable health care are also a significant part of Steyer’s campaign platform. “The government has been purchased by corporations. Those corporations include drug companies, private hospitals, and insurance companies. They’re charging double [in America] for what other advanced countries pay for health care, and our health care is arguably worst. Drug companies charge us ten times more for insulin.”

“I believe affordable health care is a right for every American. It’s the job of the government to go after those drug companies and drive down prices. I would build on the Affordable Care Act.”

“President Obama took the first step. Now we need to take the next step, which is to make sure everyone is covered, and the government drives down the prices. I will ruthlessly negotiate for America.”

Steyer also said he’s alarmed by the number of missing black women and girls, and the government must do something about it.

“Think about that number (64,000). That is more than the number of soldiers that we, as a country, lost in all of Vietnam. So, how can we not see that as something deserving of laser-like focus attention,” Steyer asked? “Are you kidding me? Sixty-four thousand girls?”

Steyer noted that during debates, none of the other candidates had addressed the issues that affect black people.

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Related Topics:Democrat Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.featured Las Vegas Live Stream politics Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer

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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

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.

Oakland Post

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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