Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit
by Daniel Johnson

April 14, 2024

Kwame Kilpatrick Restitution Saga Continues, Feds Add More To Total

The federal government alleges that the former Detroit mayor is only making minimum monthly payments of $150. In total, the sum Kilpatrick owes in restitution and taxes is over $1.6 million. 

Kwame Kilpatrick, the disgraced former mayor of Detroit, served eight years of a 28-year sentence for a racketeering conspiracy before his sentence was commuted by then-President Donald Trump in 2021. Since that time, according to federal prosecutors, he has not paid the restitution he owes to the city. 

As The Detroit News reports, federal prosecutors discovered Kilpatrick owes an additional $6,700-plus they want applied to the more than $820,000 he owes the taxpayers of Detroit.

In total, the sum Kilpatrick owes in both restitution and taxes sits at over $1.6 million. 

In late March, in response to an order from federal prosecutors to examine Kilpatrick’s illegal activities, Michigan Treasury officials found an additional sum of $6,707.07 which they allege Kilpatrick owes Detroit. In 2023, he leased a $90,000 luxury SUV and his wife purchased an $807,000 home in Novi.

In March, as The Wall Street Journal reports, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gardey described Kilpatrick’s spending as indicative of a “jet-setting lifestyle,” and it was noted that the monthly payments on the leased vehicle were 10 times his monthly payments on his debt. 

The federal government alleged in a court filing on April 12 that the former mayor is only making minimum monthly payments of $150. Meanwhile, Kilpatrick says he does not believe he actually owes the money and would like a hearing to settle the matter.

In March, the federal government signaled its seriousness about pursuing restitution from Kilpatrick. U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison released a statement declaring its intent to aggressively pursue action: “The United States Attorney’s office has filed a writ of garnishment against Mr. Kilpatrick as part of our continuing effort to enforce the criminal judgment of restitution he owes to the United States. Our efforts in this regard are unwavering.”

WWJ legal analyst Charlie Langton told the outlet that he believed Kilpatrick could eventually be found in violation of the terms of his probation if this behavior continues. “Kwame Kilpatrick — until he pays off every penny of restitution, he’s going to have to account for that. And the feds believe, based on what he’s putting on social media, that he’s raising money…and that probably will violate the terms of his probation at this time.”

Langton continued, “The victim in the federal case was the City of Detroit, and the judge ordered Kwame Kilpatrick to pay back the victim in this case: the City of Detroit. So, whatever the number turns out to be, whatever income Kwame Kilpatrick has from whatever source, has to be totaled up and given back to the victim.”

RELATED CONTENT: Kwame Kilpatrick Spends Weekend in Jail

abortion, Black women, election, abortion rights
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 14, 2024

Arizona’s New Abortion Ban Echoes Civil War-Era Restrictions

Arizona's upholding of a 1864 abortion ban has ties to racially motivated restrictions on the procedure.

Arizona’s latest abortion legislation has positioned the state as one of the nation’s most stringent when it comes to reproductive rights. Critics highlight the law’s origins in 1864, pointing to its troubling racial history.

This April, Arizona lawmakers voted to uphold an abortion law originally passed in 1864. Its reinstatement follows the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. According to Vox, the new ruling leaves nearly 1.6 million people’s reproductive autonomy in jeopardy.

The law specifies that anyone who “provides, supplies, and administers” an abortion procedure or drugs to induce it faces two to five years in prison. The law only provides exceptions for pregnant women who will die without having one. However, the legislation derived from an anti-abortion movement beginning in the mid-19th century. The effort meant to curb white women’s desires outside the home as more participated in the women’s suffrage movement.

In fact, anti-abortion causes sought to exclusively ensure white women were fulfilling the obligations to uphold conservative American values. The laws also benefited doctors, a profession comprised of a majority of white men at the time, creating a monopoly on who could perform the procedure.

While original sentiments on abortion before this time were less religious-based, doctors and clergymen later joined forces to demonize abortion, spearheaded by Harvard doctor Horatio Storer. This subsequent shift led to jail time and hefty fines for those defying the regulations.

However, today’s version of the law especially impacts minorities, many with less agency and resources. According to U.S. Census data, Black people make up over 5.5% of Arizona’s population. Historical and racially motivated protections on abortion were meant to benefit whiteness, leaving nonwhite people in the most vulnerable position. The hot-button issue is also prevalent for Black women as the presidential election nears.

While the ban will go into effect on April 24, Democratic lawmakers urge a repeal. Arizona’s Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes expressed that she will not enforce the ruling. Regardless, residents remain concerned about their reproductive freedoms.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Shocks Anti-Abortion Groups By Declining To Endorse National Ban, Says ‘Its Up To The States’ 

Sade Robinson, Wisconsin
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 14, 2024

First Date Allegedly Ended With Wisconsin College Student’s Body Parts Scattered Across State

A 19-year-old college student in Wisconsin is believed to be dead following the discovery of her body parts in multiple areas after a first date.

A police search led to the discovery of Sade Robinson’s body parts scattered across the state. It is alleged that the Wisconsin college student went missing following a fatal first date with Maxwell Anderson.

The 19-year-old’s co-workers became concerned when she did not show up for her shift at a local pizza restaurant on April 2, a move they considered unlike her. The day before, she told her colleagues about the date with Anderson, a 33-year-old white man. They planned to get dinner at a seafood restaurant nearby where he used to work, according to CNN.

Police conducted a welfare check at Robinson’s home after a friend reported her missing following multiple missed calls and the missed work shift. However, upon not finding her, investigators launched a widespread search for her whereabouts. The restaurant closed for three days as police searched for clues. They found Robinson’s car on fire the day after her date.

Law enforcement recovered Robinson’s clothes and her assumed phone from the burnt vehicle. Later, a human leg washed up on a beach in a Milwaukee suburb. According to the complaint, DNA evidence confirmed the body part belonged to Robinson.

Further investigation by Wisconsin authorities unveiled more remains of Robinson’s, including her foot. Her phone’s location tracking showed Anderson took her to multiple places, including his home, and then lastly at the spot where parts of her body lay. The complaint revealed that authorities believe the college student died at the hands of Anderson.

“The facts mentioned in this complaint cause Complainant to conclude that the Defendant intentionally killed and then dismembered Robinson with the intent to conceal the homicide, and it occurred between the arrival at the Defendant’s residence and his departure from the Warnimont Park area,” read the document.

A GoFundMe for Robinson’s memorial service was made as her family grapples with the loss. The GoFundMe page detailed how Robinson studied criminal justice as she prepared to graduate from the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

“The pain of losing Sade has left a void in the hearts of her family, especially her grieving mother and little sister, along with other relatives, friends, and the entire community who loved and supported her,” reads the description. “As we come together to honor Sade’s memory, we aim to provide her with the dignified farewell she deserves.”

Anderson is the main suspect in her death, facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse, and arson. He faces life in prison if convicted of the homicide charge.

RELATED CONTENT: Boyfriend Arrested In Dismemberment Murder Of California Law Student

Rico Wade, Hip Hop, died, Atlanta
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 14, 2024

Rico Wade, Famed Producer In Atlanta Hip-Hop Scene, Dies At 52

Wade emerged as a successful producer in the 1990s, making hits for Outkast and other Atlanta-based acts like Cee-Lo Green.

Rico Wade, a producer known for his work with rap group Outkast, died at age 52 on April 13. Wade catapulted Atlanta as a new hub for hip-hop through his work.

Wade emerged as a successful producer in the 1990s, making hits for Outkast and other Atlanta-based acts like Cee-Lo Green. He, alongside fellow producers Ray Brown and Patrick “Sleepy Brown,” created the music collective Organized Noize. The collective started in the basement of Wade’s childhood home, earning the name of the “dungeon.” Later, the Dungeon Family took form, positioning the city of Atlanta as a new game-changer for hip-hop.

While his family confirmed the news, Killer Mike also announced the death of his longtime friend and collaborator on his Instagram. In the emotional post, the rapper and activist expressed his appreciation for the “friendship and brotherhood” they shared.

“I don’t have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss,” wrote Killer Mike. “…I deeply appreciate your acceptance into The Dungeon Family, mentorship, Friendship and Brotherhood. Idk where I would be without ya’ll. This is a part of the journey. You told me ‘It ain’t been hard throughout the journey, it’s been a Journey.’ The journey ain’t gonna be the Same Journey without U. Like U say tho Imma ‘Stay Down on it’……we all are.”

Wade’s multifaceted talent extended to multiple realms of music, also co-writing TLC’s Grammy-nominated song “Waterfalls” in 1994. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in building his hometown’s music scene. Moreover, he is remembered for giving a platform to some of Atlanta’s most notable rappers.

Organized Noize also released a statement to The New York Times on Wade’s passing, calling him an “innovative architect” in the world of hip-hop.

“The world has lost one of the most innovative architects in music, and we have lost an invaluable friend,” shared the collective, as reported by the New York Times. “Rico was the cornerstone of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, and we will forever treasure his memory and the moments we shared, creating music as a united team.”

The family has yet to reveal Wade’s cause of death to the public.

RELATED CONTENT: Legendary Hip-Hop DJ Mister Cee Dead At 57

boston, lawsuit, marathon, black runners
by Daniel Johnson

April 14, 2024

Black Running Group Sues Boston Marathon And Police, Alleging Racial Profiling

Although four of the last five Boston Marathon winners have hailed from Kenya, the race's organizers face a lawsuit declaring that it has not welcomed a diverse group of supporters during recent competitions.

TrailblazHers, a Black running group, is suing the organizers of the Boston Marathon and the Newton Police Department. Its lawsuit claims that the group’s members were racially discriminated against by members of the department at the Boston Marathon in 2023. 

As WMUR reports, the lawsuit, filed by lawyers from Lawyers for Civil Rights, alleges that members of the group were singled out and harassed by officers after a spectator fired a confetti cannon in the direction of a runner the group was supporting. According to the lawsuit, members of the group were allegedly penned in by law enforcement officers, while a group of white supporters were not bothered by the police. 

The Boston Athletic Association, which runs and organizes the marathon, issued two separate apologies following the incident in 2023. One apology, accompanied by a pledge to create a more inclusive environment at the race, was issued to TrailblazHers. Another was issued to the Boston Police Department after the latter made threats that they would not work the event.

Frances Ramirez, a co-founder of TrailblazHers, said in a statement released to the Boston Globe that BAA President Jack Fleming’s apology to the police was “completely backwards.” Ramirez also said that the apology indicates that the BAA agreed with the police’s actions. “They should be apologizing to us—the spectators of color who were racially profiled and harassed. The BAA clearly approved [of] the discrimination we experienced last year.”

Fleming acknowledged and downplayed the lawsuit in a statement issued on April 12. “I’m aware of the complaint,” Fleming said. “I have not had the opportunity to see it or read it. Our focus this weekend is on the 30,000 participants, all of the spectators, everyone coming into town.”

The BAA confirmed to the Boston Globe through a spokesperson that the Boston Marathon will have four more miles of barricades than they had in the race in 2023. A spokesperson also reiterated Fleming’s position on April 12.

“We are confident that the B.A.A. and our partners are prepared for a Boston Marathon that is welcoming to the 30,000 participants, spectators, and eight cities and towns along the route. We are focused on creating a joyous experience for all. While the B.A.A. is aware of the complaint, we have not yet had the opportunity to review it.”

Liz Rock, a co-founder of TrailblazHers, told the Boston Globe that she is disappointed by the lack of action from the BAA after its promise in the wake of 2023’s Boston Marathon. “I am deeply disappointed by the lack of attention that the BAA has given to our cause. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to make running more accessible to BIPOC runners in Boston, and we expected the BAA to be a partner in this endeavor. However, their actions have not lived up to their words.”

Rock continued, “They claim to want to elevate diverse leaders in the sport, but they have consistently fallen short of this goal. Nevertheless, we are a determined group committed to making a fundamental change in this community. We will continue to push forward and work towards our mission despite the obstacles that we have faced.”

Oren Sellstrom, the litigation director for the Boston branch of Lawyers for Civil Rights, told CBS News that the issue at the heart of the lawsuit is the unequal treatment the group received. “The issue is not police presence at the marathon. The issue is unequal treatment.”

According to the lawsuit, “As the Boston Athletic Association (‘BAA’)…describes it, spectators ‘play a powerful role in fostering a sense of belonging and community for participants, volunteers, staff, and fellow spectators.’” The lawsuit also alleges that the BAA “does not extend that same sense of belonging and community back to all spectators equally.”

RELATED CONTENT: Boston Marathon Winner Donates Medal To Victims

brain health, Black men, CTE
by Daniel Johnson

April 14, 2024

Research Shows A Link Between Racism And Alzheimer’s Disease

According to a Columbia University study, exposure to racism is tied to a lower memory score during a person's midlife.

In the spring 2023 edition of the ALZ Magazine, the Alzheimer’s Association cited two studies that linked racism with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. They coupled those studies with a call to address health disparities and inequities faced by Black people. 

Those studies, the magazine stated, declared that racism must be addressed to create justice and health equity across all racial and ethnic groups. According to a study conducted by a team of researchers at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, exposure to racism is tied to a lower memory score during a person’s midlife. 

As Jennifer Manly, Ph.D, a professor of neuropsychology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told ALZ, “Overall, our findings indicate that racism impacts brain health and contributes to the unfair burden of Alzheimer’s disease in marginalized groups.”

Manly added, “Black adults are about twice as likely and Hispanic adults are about one-and-a-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias than white adults.”

Scientists have known that discrimination is a cause of health disparities and inequities for some time, but they did not know if discrimination had any effect on memory or thinking in older adults. To test this theory, Kristen George, Ph.D, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of California’s Department of Public Health Sciences, set up experiments that examined the relationship between discrimination and cognitive function in Black, white, Asian, Latinx, and multiracial people who had an average age of 93. 

George discovered that those who experienced discrimination had a lower long-term memory of ideas, facts, and concepts than those who had not. George told the outlet, “These findings highlight that despite the incredible longevity of this group, discrimination has an indelible impact on cognitive health.”

In 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services added a section on addressing systemic racism to that year’s update of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, something that Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH, the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer’s Association, believes is vital.

“In order to achieve health equity — as a step toward complete inclusion and representation — individuals and society must identify and reduce racism and other forms of discrimination,” Hill said. “We must create a society in which the underserved, disproportionately affected and underrepresented are safe, cared for and valued.”

In January 2024, the HHS commissioned a study on the literature concerning racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease, the clearest indication that the federal government sees it as a public health issue. Its study discovered that in addition to the experience of racism by Black people, Alzheimer’s disease may also be attributed to various other factors that disproportionately affect Black people. Those factors include but are not limited to high blood pressure, heart failure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Racial bias in the healthcare industry, although not specifically tied to Alzheimer’s disease, is another reason Black people experience a difference in medical treatment when compared to other ethnic groups. 

In its conclusion, the study notes that there are consistent and adverse disparities between Black and non-white Latinx people compared to white people regarding Alzheimer’s disease rates, participation in clinical trials, and other markers that indicate quality care. The study does not explain why these disparities exist but notes that additional factors, such as education and poverty, may be at play.

“The reasons for these disparities are not well understood but include possible genetic differences, prevalence of other diseases that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, higher rates of poverty, and lower levels of education. In addition, differences in the use of services and expenditures may be related to cultural differences and racial and ethnic discrimination. Although these disparities are well known, little is known about the effectiveness of various strategies, such as cultural competence training, to address these differences within the context of Alzheimer’s disease, with almost no studies available that evaluate possible interventions.”

The study does provide a glimmer of hope regarding the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Rather than simply providing equal access to services, a better resolution involves determining the proper level of care and making sure the patient is able to receive that care at the right time in the appropriate setting. 

“In seeking to alleviate these disparities, one of the important points made in the IOM’s Unequal Treatment report is that matching needs to services is a more important goal than trying to provide equal amounts of services to different groups,” The conclusion states. “Both undertreatment and overtreatment can be a problem, and it would be undesirable to insist on all patients being equally overtreated. Instead, the goal should be the right care, delivered to the right patient, at the right time, in the right setting.”

RELATED CONTENT: Caregivers Spend $20,000 on Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s

Mississippi, Black teachers
by Daniel Johnson

April 14, 2024

Wayne State University Honors Creation Of African American Studies Department And Student Protests That Birthed It 35 Years Ago

The protest involved a number of students taking over the Helen Newberry Joy Library, which led to the creation the Department of African-American Studies at the university.

On April 12, Wayne State University honored the creation of its Department of African American Studies and the protests that birthed it. A day after honoring the students who participated in the 1989 study-in, the university sponsored a luncheon celebrating the 10-day protest. 

As Today At Wayne reports, the protest involved several students taking over the Helen Newberry Joy Library, which helped to rally the city behind the students’ cause and eventually helped to create the Department of African American Studies at the university. 

The current chairperson of the Department of African-American Studies, Ollie Johnson, Ph.D., told the outlet that he is proud of the lineage created by the university’s department.

“Wayne State University has always been a university of opportunity,” Johnson said. “It’s been an institution that’s given access to higher education to working-class students, middle-class students, and poor students. As a result, many of the most outstanding professionals, leaders in the city of Detroit, Wayne County, Southeast Michigan, and the state have been Wayne State graduates. We are very proud of that.”

Johnson also pointed out that the university’s research has a broad reach, reaching beyond Michigan and the borders of the United States of America.

“For the last 35 years, the department has had some of the most important scholars in the world related to the Black experience,” Johnson explained. “We’ve had some of the most outstanding African scholars in politics, education and literature and some of the most outstanding scholars related to Caribbean politics and society. I always tell people, when I study Brazil, I see a lot of similarities to the African American political struggle and political experience.”

According to the university’s website, the department began as the Center for Black Studies following an initial protest for broader inclusion of Black students, faculty, staff, and courses in 1970. Nineteen years later, the 1989 demonstration led to the Department of Africana Studies creation, which later became the Department of African-American Studies in 2015. 

As The South End, Wayne State University’s student newspaper, reported in 2016, Dr. Errol Henderson, an associate professor of political science at Pennsylvania State University, said the group he helped lead was inspired by protests in the City of Detroit and on campus in the 1960s and ’70s. 

According to Henderson, the students were “compelled” to “do the things we did, and especially what we did in 1989.”

Henderson reflected on the protests and the sense of community they fostered, telling the outlet, “At that time, the coming together was beautiful,” Henderson said. “We had a lot of folks from the community that surrounded us, … to bring us food … these folks would come around and once they saw that we were there and we weren’t coming out, … that’s why we still have community among ourselves today.”

Johnson told Today At Wayne that the school’s legacy as it relates to Black activism is one that both he and the university should be proud of.

“We are a community institution. In the last 35 years, we have impacted a lot of students from Detroit and throughout the state. And we feel very good about that because these former students have gone on to be leaders in their own right.” Johnson said. “We’re equally proud of the tradition of activism that the university has and of the fact that the department has resulted from student activism. The university answered the call, responded positively to student demands and created a great institution in the city of Detroit.”

RELATED CONTENT: Stanford University Approves Department Of African and African-American Studies

police shooting, SWAT, Black man, Protector app
by Mary Spiller

April 14, 2024

Police Who Fired 96 Shots In 41 Seconds, Killing 26-Year-Old Black Man During Traffic Stop, Under Investigation

A video showed the driver, Dexter Reed, firing the first shot and injuring an officer. The other four officers then fired 96 shots in 41 seconds.

The incident in which several plainclothes Chicago police officers fired nearly 100 shots in under a minute, killing 26-year-old Dexter Reed, has prompted a police investigation agency and Cook County prosecutors to look into the use of excessive force in the police department over the March 21 stop.

According to the Associated Press, videos and statements surrounding the deadly traffic stop have raised questions about the officers’ conduct. The investigative agency expressed concerns over the officer’s actions to Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. 

They also noted that their agency was currently investigating the same five officers for a complaint that was filed over a traffic stop a few weeks before the shooting of Reed. 

The March 21 incident began when officers in an unmarked car pulled Reed over for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). The situation turned violent when he allegedly refused to get out of the SUV. 

The video showed Reed firing the first shot and injuring an officer in the wrist. The other four officers then fired 96 shots in 41 seconds. They continued to fire even after Reed exited the vehicle and collapsed. 

COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten wrote in an April 1 letter, “Based on the totality of the available evidence, COPA has grave concerns about the officers’ ability to assess what is a necessary, reasonable, and proportional use of deadly force.” 

The American Civil Liberties Union pointed out that the officers immediately drew their guns and cursed at Reed while they ordered him around.

ACLU of Illinois spokesman Ed Yonka said, “From the moment they all jump into the vehicle to chase the car, you can feel the adrenaline rush. There were no efforts at de-escalation.”

The officers are currently on a 30-day administrative leave during the investigation, but Kersten has recommended relieving all officers involved of their police power until the investigation is concluded.

State’s Attorney Kim Foxx revealed that there is a possibility of criminal charges being brought against them as well.

Several investigative forces have asked questions about the validity of the stop itself.

“Why would a police officer, not in uniform, bother with something like that?” Geoffrey Alpert asked. 

“The available evidence calls into question the veracity of this account,” Kersten wrote.

Reed’s family members and friends are also skeptical of the legality of the stop. They said, “If he was supposedly pulled over for a traffic stop, why did they have four guns pointed at him? He was scared.”

RELATED CONTENT: Mississippi Woman Sues Police For Shooting Her In Head

Purdue, Trey Kaufman-Renn Racist Taunts ,Illinois
by Mary Spiller

April 14, 2024

Tynesha Lewis Leaving Elizabeth City State University To Coach At UNC Asheville

Elizabeth City hadn't had a winning season before Lewis joined the HBCU campus.

After three years at Elizabeth City State University, Tynesha Lewis is moving on from HBCU coaching. On April 12, Lewis was named the head coach at the University of North Carolina Asheville. 

Lewis has put out an impressive record of 61-29 over her three seasons at ECSU. Her team appeared in three different CIAA tournament championships, supported by her coaching skills and experience as a WNBA player.

UNC Asheville Athletic Director Janet R. Cone said in a statement, “We are so excited to have Tynesha Lewis as our next head women’s basketball coach. Her experiences as a player at NC State and in the WNBA, and as a successful head coach at Elizabeth City State demonstrate that she knows how to compete and win at a high level, that she cares deeply about her student-athletes and their holistic development and off the court and that she places a high value on doing things the right way. Tynesha will work tirelessly in getting our women’s basketball program to a place of consistent competitive excellence.”

Elizabeth City hadn’t had a winning season before Lewis joined the HBCU campus. The team earned 20 wins straight, with Lewis leading the Northeastern, North Carolina, team. 

Lewis has experience on the court after playing for the WNBA in 2001 as the 31st pick for the Houston Comets from her collegiate NC State University team. Before being drafted by the Houston Comets, she played in the WNBA for six seasons, with the Charlotte Sting and the Minnesota Lynx after the Comets.

The 44-year-old athlete was a four-time All-ACC selection, helping to lead the Wolfpack to the Final Four in 1998 and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2001. She left her mark on the program, ranking first in triple-doubles and recording the only two triple-double performances in school history at that time (male and female programs). She had an impressive career average of 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Speaks On Her Mental Health Since Last Year’s NCAA Championship Win

smoking, menthol, cigarettes
by Mary Spiller

April 14, 2024

Anti-Smoking Groups File Lawsuit Against Government Over Delay On Menthol Ban

The Black community is disproportionately negatively affected by the use of menthol cigarettes.

On April 9, anti-smoking groups launched lawsuits against the U.S. government over the delay in passing a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. 

The Food and Drug Administration has been trying to pass a similar ban on menthol cigarettes for nearly 15 years, considering that “300,000 to 650,000” smoking deaths could be prevented over the course of a few decades. The lawsuit pointed out that the tobacco industry’s lobby has made it difficult for advocates and lawmakers to pass the bill.

A big component of pushing the ban on menthols is the disproportionate effect on Black Americans. In the 1960s, advertisements specifically pushed menthol to Black people. The targeted marketing was successful, causing “1.5 million Black Americans to begin smoking menthols.” As a result, nearly 200,000 Black Americans died from smoking-related health issues. Back in 2020, out of all smokers, 81% of Black people smoked menthol cigarettes, while 34% of white people did.

Dr. Yolanda Lawson, the president of the National Medical Association, said in a statement, “As African American physicians, we are deeply disturbed at the continuing delays in FDA’s finalizing of the ban on menthol cigarettes.” 

She continued, “Our patients, more than any other group, become disabled and die prematurely due to the continued use of these cigarettes.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of all people who smoke cigarettes started while they were still adolescents and continued consistently smoking to adulthood. 

“The FDA’s research confirms that a menthol ban would save lives,” the Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health Laurent Huber told the public. “There is no scientific reason to delay finalizing this rule.

Overall, cigarette smoking has decreased over the past two decades, but there has been an increase in menthol smokers, specifically among young adults, racial minorities, women, and people with mental health issues.

RELATED CONTENT: What Katt Williams Didn’t Tell Joe Rogan About Menthol Cigarettes

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