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Trump’s Conviction Sparks Accusations and Deepens Divisions
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is the local prosecutor in Trump’s New York trial, and the case had nothing to do with President Biden or his administration. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to erupt while he was running for president in 2016.
The post Trump’s Conviction Sparks Accusations and Deepens Divisions first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
On a cool Thursday afternoon, in a New York courtroom, history was made as a somber Donald Trump, former president of the United States, listened to a jury pronounce him guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He sat slack, becoming the first former president ever to be convicted of a crime. “Our whole country is being rigged right now,” Trump declared. “This is being done by the Biden administration to wound or hurt a political opponent.” That statement is unequivocally false. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is the local prosecutor in Trump’s New York trial, and the case had nothing to do with President Biden or his administration. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to erupt while he was running for president in 2016.
Prosecutors argued it was an unlawful effort to influence that election. But Trump has tried to turn that accusation on its head, calling it the “Biden trial,” “election interference,” and a “witch hunt.” His allies quickly echoed these sentiments. Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake described the verdict as “the most egregious example of election interference and an outright mockery of the rule of law in the 246-year history of our Republic.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the trial a “purely political exercise, not a legal one,” accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system. That strategy aims to erode public faith in the system that convicted Trump, a move likely to worry Republicans and Democrats alike about the future of American democracy. “This was a conviction by a jury of Americans who listened to the evidence and made their decision,” Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the New York Times. “When you undermine courts the way that elections have already been undermined, there is no peaceful way to settle differences.”
For Trump and his campaign, the party line is clear: grievance, anger, and a call for revenge. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican Senate candidate, faced immediate backlash from Trump’s senior advisor, Chris LaCivita, for urging Americans to respect the verdict and legal process. “You just ended your campaign,” LaCivita retorted. “I couldn’t help but think throughout this trial of Donald Trump sitting through days of testimony in Manhattan Criminal Court,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton. “This is the same building that Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise all passed into, day after day, as they endured a show trial for a crime they did not commit. These children had to hear vitriol from people whose anger was incited by a man who spent a small fortune on full-page ads calling for their execution. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Donald Trump is the criminal, and those five men are exonerated.”
Judge Merchan has scheduled Trump’s sentencing for July 11, allowing Trump to remain free until then. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts, each carrying a potential sentence of up to four years. However, legal experts consider that he will unlikely receive a cumulative sentence exceeding four years. Merchan also has the option to impose probation instead of prison time. Before sentencing, Trump will meet with a psychologist or social worker to present his case for a more lenient punishment. Even if Merchan does impose a prison sentence, Trump might not have to serve it immediately. The judge could permit him to stay free while his appeals are processed, which could take months or even years. This could potentially extend beyond Election Day and reach the Supreme Court.
Despite his conviction, Trump can still run for president. The Constitution does not disqualify him from holding office due to a felony conviction. He could even campaign from prison. If elected while incarcerated, Trump would not have the power to pardon himself for state charges. However, he could argue that his imprisonment hindered his ability to fulfill presidential duties and that he might seek legal avenues for release. “I’m reminded of Dr. King’s proverb that the arc of history is long,” Sharpton concluded. “But it bends toward justice.”
The post Trump’s Conviction Sparks Accusations and Deepens Divisions first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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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.
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.
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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 […]
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 connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
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
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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