• Entrepreneurship

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 19, 2023

EXCLUSIVE: J. Alexander Martin Wants To Give You The Secret To Success

The FUBU co-founder releases his third book, "The Strength of For Us By Us The Secret to The Success"

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The phrase “For Us By Us” worked its way into the Black entrepreneurial and cultural lexicon when legendary hip-hop artist  LL COOL J filmed a GAP commercial and stated the phrase while sporting a baseball cap that said “FUBU.” Without the large popular clothing company realizing that the essence of free marketing and advertising was done under its nose, it set the tone for the success of the fledging company, which was started by four men from Queens. This took place in 1992, and more than 30 years later, the company is still in business, and one of the founders, J. Alexander Martin, is willing to give you the keys to success by telling you The Strength of For Us By Us.

The fashion mogul just released his third book, The Strength of For Us By Us – The Secret to The Success, hoping to lead many others down their path to successful entrepreneurship. BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Martin to discuss the merits of this mindset and why you should purchase the book to assist in becoming successful.

He said the time was right for the book to come out with all the political and racial strife in the world, and it’s time for us, as a people, to come together.

“I think in these times, politically with the right and the left and you know, race relations and things, are just fueling, you know, us as a people, I think it’s time for us to just really just kind of reflect on each other and come together. In this book, I found a lot of examples of people who harness the power of togetherness, the power of respecting each other and coming together for a common goal. Again, with FUBU and how we have grown from selling a hat to over $6 billion in sales, countless awards, and being in museums and history books. It’s like, who got us here? The people got us. The culture that is here, us coming together or people supporting each other, and us supporting each other, all you guys got us here, and that’s really what the book’s about.”

Martin also explained that a community or even a brotherhood can help “us” succeed when we are all working together for a common cause.

“You being a Black man, I being a Black man, I reach out to you and say I have something new. The first thing you do is call me. Listen, when do you want to do a quick interview? Now you have the power. I have the book, but we’re coming together. That’s the secret. A lot of people don’t understand that. That’s what that is. It’s our secret. How have we been successful for so many years? Right. We don’t know. We just think it’s not us. We think it’s, you know, it’s an individual thing. No, it’s the power of us coming together and helping each other. And help, and not look down or bring the crabs in the barrel situation.”

Although the fashion brand has been around for almost 32 years, the importance of brand extension is not lost on the four individuals who started the company. You can check out Daymond John on ABC’s Shark Tank anytime, while Keith C. Perrin is running FUBU Radio, and Carlton Brown is ramping up the FUBU Hotel business. Martin? He’s building on the streaming network For Us By Us, which has existed since 2015 (As well as a recent partnership, a record label, and a publishing deal with BMG).

Martin is the quintessential entrepreneur that we all can and should learn from. Although he didn’t go into detail, he did allow me to be privy to bigger things on the horizon for him and FUBU, including a major studio being completed. Reading the book can place you ahead of those who don’t, and the valuable lessons learned come from an accomplished expert.

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 19, 2023

‘The American Society Of Magical Negroes’ Criticized By Black And White Viewers

The trailer for "The American Society of Magical Negroes" has drawn fire from white and Black audiences.

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The official trailer for Kobi Libii’s The American Society of Magical Negroes released last week and has been under fire from white and Black audiences who are taking offense to the film’s race-based satire.

The movie’s release is slated for March 2024.

Starring Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, and Rupert Friend, the film tells the story of a young man (Smith) who gets recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to making white people’s lives easier because according to the trailer, “uncomfortable white people are the most “dangerous animals on the planet.”

“White people feeling uncomfortable precedes a lot of bad stuff for us,” Grier’s character tells Smith’s character, Aren. “That’s why we fight white discomfort every day. Because the happier they are, the safer we are!”

The new film serves as a satire around the trope of the Magical Negro, role seen throughout historical American cinema where the Black character’s sole purpose was to serve a white character. But amid the release of the trailer, many are speaking out.

White viewers were offended by the blatant racist jokes against them while Black viewers were disappointed in the film not serving as a “Black Harry Potter” like many thought it would and instead displays a rom-com theme where Smith’s character works to win the affection of a white woman played by An-Li Bogan.

“This is the most blatant Anti-White, Racist thing I have ever seen!” one Twitter/X user wrote. “This is open unapologetic Hate Speech against White People!”

Black viewers also shared disapproval for the new film, but for different reasons.

“I was so excited this was going to be HBCU HOGWARTS but then to center being magical around making yt people happy??? It could’ve been great.” one user wrote.

“No, how do we as a community get this film cancelled?” said another viewer.

“OMG the trailer started off so well till the love interest?!” added someone else. “And black people knowing magick but choose to use their powers to make white people happy instead of the world a better place LMFAO yeah no thanks.”

Some are still expressing interest in watching the satirical film’s focus on the Magical Negro trope. The trailer can’t reveal everything about the movie. It’s only to spark interest which from the looks of it, mission accomplished.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Love & Basketball,’ ’12 Years A Slave,’ ‘Bamboozled’ Voted For Preservation At Library Of Congress’ National Film Registry

by Coco Whitehead

December 19, 2023

You Are Appreciated: Holiday Gifts For Your Fave Teacher

Show some appreciation for the educators in your life this holiday season with great—and affordable—gift ideas from Amazon!

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Originally Published by Dec. 16, 2021

Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions. It may sound like an easy job when you think about the summers off, but school teachers work hard and deserve to be celebrated beyond Teacher Appreciation Week in May. This holiday, put a smile on a teacher’s face with a little something from Amazon.

Refrigerator Wine and Water Bottle Holder 

This will be a great gift for the teacher who loves a chilled drink from the fridge after a long day. This wine organizer set includes four plastic racks; each rack can hold one wine bottle. It also fits on the countertop for convenience!

Amazon Gift Card

Teachers never get all the supplies they need to educate their students properly. An Amazon gift card will cover last-minute emergencies, Kleenex shortages, classroom snacks, and more. You can purchase one for as little as $20!

(Image: Amazon)

Burt’s Bees Skin Care Stocking Stuffer

Chalk stains, school germs, and trips to the bathroom cause hands to be washed frequently. A little pampering goes a long way when you’re a teacher! This Burt’s Bees set repairs dry hands and rough cuticles with ultra-moisturizing ingredients like almonds, milk, and shea butter. It also comes with cotton gloves.

Godiva 27-Piece Belgium Boxed Assorted Chocolates 

Chocolate has been proven to make the brain happy and relieve stress—and teachers definitely face high volumes of stress! Purchase this sweet treat of boxed Godiva chocolates for the teacher in your life.

Motivational & Inspirational Perpetual Daily Flip Calendar

Even the motivator could use some motivation! Grab this 365-day calendar filled with wise words and inspirational quotes that are sure to brighten any teacher’s day!

What Teachers Really Want to Say But Can’t: Swear Word Coloring Book for Adults

Because even the nicest teachers have a limit! This adult coloring book allows teachers to color their blues away and talk smack without the fear of losing their jobs. This gift is perfect for the millennial teacher with a sense of humor.

RELATED CONTENT: White Teachers Less Likely to See Black Students as Gifted

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 19, 2023

Jonathan Majors Dropped By Marvel Studios And Disney After Conviction

The actor was slated to portray Kang in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty”

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That final shoe may have just fallen after Marvel Studios and Disney dropped actor Jonathan Majors after his conviction for assaulting his former girlfriend.

The rising star, who was just featured in the third installment of Creed and was primed to reach new heights after Disney pegged him to play a main character, Kang, in a movie that was slated to come out in 2026, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, has officially lost that role. According to The Associated Press, a source informed the media outlet that both companies decided to cut all ties with Majors after a Manhattan jury found the actor guilty of two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault.

Neither Marvel nor Disney have made any public comments, nor have they released any plans on whether the role of Kang will be recast or if this changes their upcoming plans for the franchise in general.

Majors’ fall from grace began after the incident on March 25, 2023, in New York City. His former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, accused him of assaulting her after she supposedly found text messages on Majors’ phone from another woman. The alleged encounter happened in the backseat of a chauffeured car, and video tape showed that it continued into the streets of Manhattan.

During the trial, his attorney, Priya Chaudhry, stated that her client was the victim of “white lies, big lies, and pretty little lies” by Jabbari so she could carry out revenge on someone who may have been unfaithful. After the dispute took place and she allegedly went partying with strangers after the incident, he saw her passed out on the bed. He contacted authorities and was then arrested when they came to the scene.

“He called 911 out of concern for her, and his fear of what happens when a Black man in America came true,” Chaudhry said.

But prosecutor Kelli Galaway said that Majors was following a “well-worn playbook” that is used by abusers to show their victims as attackers.

“This is not a revenge plot to ruin the defendant’s life or his career,” Galaway said. “You were asked why you are here? Because domestic violence is serious.”

The next court date for the Creed III actor is scheduled for Feb. 6. He is looking at a possible year in jail for the assault conviction.

RELATED CONTENT: Jonathan Majors & Meagan Good Share An Emotional Moment During Defense Attorney’s Closing Statement

• Money

by Alfred Edmond, Jr.

December 19, 2023

‘Tis Better To Give, But Don’t Get Taken: How To Donate This Holiday Season

Don't get taken by charity scams this holiday season. Follow these simple tips to make sure you are supporting worthy causes, not con artists.

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Originally published Dec. 7, 2016

Don’t get taken in by charity scams during the holiday season. Always remember: The stronger your urge to give, the more attractive you are to con artists who are more than willing to accept your generosity.

The holiday season — reinforced by the gifting traditions of Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah — is an especially important time for charitable causes of all kinds. Donors are more likely to respond to fundraising appeals during the holiday season than at any other time of the year.

Our instinct toward giving is a healthy one, not just spiritually but financially as well. One of the common traits of successful wealth accumulators is their consistent habit of channeling a portion of their wealth in support of the institutions and charitable causes they believe in. They understand that investing their resources in community-sustaining institutions, programs, and causes creates a healthier and more fertile environment for their own wealth-building efforts. This is the rationale behind the biblical principle of tithing to your church.

Unfortunately, the peak season for legitimate charities also happens to be prime time for fundraising scams, bogus charities, and con artists intent on separating you from your money. The key to not being taken advantage of is not to be less generous, but to be more thoughtful, deliberate, and strategic with your charitable donations. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t get taken.

Treat your charitable donations as you would any investment.

If you invest in a mutual fund, you expect a specific return on that investment. In the same way, when you make a donation to a charity, you want to be sure that your dollars will be used to achieve the result — whether it is fighting the spread of AIDS in the Black community or providing relief to natural disaster victims — that you intended it to. You wouldn’t put money into a mutual fund without reading a prospectus and learning about the fund’s past performance and investment philosophy. To be sure you don’t get taken, never give money to any charity that you are not familiar with and have not investigated for yourself.

Make sure you get the actual name, address, and phone number of the charity before giving. Then check it out by going to the IRS website at www.irs.gov, which has an updated list of legitimate charities and nonprofit groups, or by calling the IRS toll-free at 877-829-5500. Another useful website is GIVE, part of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Also check out two great websites that review and grade individual charities, Charity Watch

Don’t give on impulse.

Many fundraisers, even legitimate ones, will try to manipulate your emotions (gratitude, guilt, and even shame) to get you to give, even if you’re not sure you want to — and before you have a chance to check out the charity for yourself. Don’t get taken. Only give when you are familiar with the charity and you truly believe in or are passionate about the cause it serves. After all, you can’t give to every worthy cause. If what you truly care about is tithing at your church and fighting breast cancer, don’t be shamed into writing a check to save the environment. Just because it is a worthy cause, does not mean it’s your worthy cause. You have a right to choose which charities get your money without feeling guilty about saying yes to some and no to others.

Watch out for charity scams.

You will avoid the vast majority of fraudulent and/or unethical fundraising efforts simply by following Steps 1 and 2. Also, look out for tricks such as fake charities with names (say, the National Cancer Society, or the American Cancer Association) very similar to well-known, legitimate causes (the American Cancer Society). If you do get taken in by a charity scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission toll-free at (877) FTC-HELP. Also, report the fake charity to the state attorney general where you live and/or where the charity is located.

Avoid giving cash.

I believe in only giving by check or credit card. That way, I have a record of my gift, which will be needed if I want to claim the charitable gift as a deduction on my taxes, and especially if I need proof that I’ve been ripped off. Also, I am less likely to give on emotional impulse. Having to take the time to write a check or pull out my credit card will slow me down enough to think about my decision to give before I actually release my dollars. Even after I give, if I have second thoughts, I still have a little time to call my bank or credit card holder to stop the payment. With cash, once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Speaking of taxes, make sure you understand the difference between tax-exempt and tax-deductible.

Don’t get taken in by a group or cause claiming that there is a tax advantage to your donation. When organizations, including many charities, gain tax-exempt status, it means the IRS does not require it to pay taxes on the donations it receives. On the other hand, the donation you make to such a charity may be tax deductible for you when you file your taxes.

Why is this important? First, before you give, you want to get proof of a charity’s 501(c)(3) status, which says that the IRS has deemed it eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Don’t just take their word for it.

Second, you need to understand that not every dollar donated to a tax-exempt organization will be tax deductible for you. For example, if you buy a ticket to a tax-exempt charity’s fundraising dinner for $100, and the actual value of the meal is $40, only $60 of your gift may be tax- deductible.

The bottom line

Don’t get taken by fake, incompetent, or crooked charities. Your charitable giving should be planned and budgeted for just like all of your other expenses. As soon as the new year begins, determine how much money you plan to reserve for charitable donations for the year, and which organizations and causes you plan to support. That way, you can ensure that you are giving to the causes you really care about, secure in the knowledge that the hard-earned dollars you donate are being used wisely by legitimate organizations.

Better yet, you can use my guilt-free, foolproof response to unwanted fundraising solicitations: “Our family has already earmarked our charitable contributions for this year. However, if you will send me information on your charity and your cause, we will be happy to consider you for next year.”

RELATED CONTENT: Offset To Host Second Annual Christmas Charity Event In Georgia

• Politics

by Derek Major

December 19, 2023

More Than 60K Migrants Are Living In NYC Shelters As Mayor Eric Adams Continues To Blame The Biden Administration

New York City Mayor Eric Adams continues to call out the Biden administration over the city’s migrant crisis.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams continues to call out the Biden administration and the federal government at large over the city’s influx of migrants.

Adams, whose approval numbers have hit historic lows, has clashed with Biden often in recent months as he’s begged for federal funds to help the city that never sleeps manage the thousands of migrants that have come and continue to come to the Big Apple.

The Daily Mail reports more than 67,000 migrants are living in New York City shelters, more than triple the 21,000 migrants living in the city last year. On Sunday, Adams told ABC7 that he couldn’t understand why the Biden administration has ignored his repeated pleas.

“I find it baffling because now you are hearing the coalitions that started with Eric, now it has gone to Chicago, Massachusetts, Denver… so many municipalities are joining me and saying this is impacting our city, so I’m not sure why we’re not seeing a response.”

Adams added that his strategy for the migrant issue would be to ship migrants across the country.

‘We tell them, “Here’s where you’re going to go for a three-year period to stabilize yourself,”’ Adams said. “This way, instead of having 140,000 coming here or a thousand coming to Chicago, we’re spreading it out throughout the entire country.

“We have 108,000 towns, villages, and cities across America. In my view, many people are dealing with population issues, employment issues, and they want migrants and asylum seekers that can work because we are a city and a country of immigrants.”

As much as Adams wants to blame the Biden administration, he has made his own missteps regarding migrants in New York. That includes giving a no-bid contract to DocGo, a migrant services contractor under investigation and whose CEO resigned.

Additionally, Adams has wasted millions of dollars building up and breaking down migrant tent camps that barely housed migrants, including one that was built for 1,000 migrants on a beach parking lot in The Bronx that flooded after less than an inch of rain fell, the outlet reports. The mayor has also been forced to reverse plans to house migrants in elementary school gyms amid protests by parents, and even migrants have refused to shelter at some tent camps because the locations are transportation deserts that most New Yorkers avoid.

The Senate has canceled its holiday recess to work on a border security package and foreign aid package that includes money for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and much-needed immigration reform. However, it will be tough sledding as politicians on both sides will likely oppose a deal. Republicans have drawn up their own immigration bill, and progressive Democrats are likely to oppose any border restrictions. Adams estimated the city would spend $12 billion over the next three years to handle the influx of migrants, leading to cuts to the city’s education budget, plans to close libraries on weekends, and cancel a new NYPD class.

RELATED CONTENT: New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Approval Falls To Historic Low

• News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 19, 2023

US Single-Family Housing Starts Jump To More Than 1-Year High

U.S. single-family homebuilding surged to more than a one-and-a-half-year high in November and could gain further momentum.

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Originally reported by Reuters

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) – U.S. single-family homebuilding surged to more than a 1-1/2-year high in November and could gain further momentum, with declining mortgage rates and incentives from builders likely to draw potential buyers back into the housing market.

The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday also showed permits for future construction of single-family housing last month increased to the highest level since May 2022. A jump in mortgage rates had dampened new construction activity in recent months. The new housing market remains underpinned by an acute shortage of previously owned homes available for sale.

“New residential construction activity continues to show resilience, and this is likely the result of an underlying shortage of housing units relative to the demand for housing,” said Conrad DeQuadros, senior economic advisor at Brean Capital in New York.

Single-family housing starts, which account for the bulk of homebuilding, jumped 18.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.143 million units last month, the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau said. That was the highest level since April 2022.

Activity was also likely supported by warmer temperatures and dry conditions. Data for October was revised slightly lower to show starts rising to a rate of 969,000 units instead of the previously reported 970,000 units.

Single-family homebuilding soared in the Northeast, Midwest and the densely populated South. It declined in the West.

The rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.95% last week, the lowest level since August, from 7.03% in the prior week, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac. It has tumbled from a 23-year high of 7.79% in late October, tracking the decline in U.S. Treasury yields.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady last week and signaled in new economic projections that the historic tightening of monetary policy engineered over the last two years is at an end and lower borrowing costs are coming in 2024.

A survey on Monday showed confidence among single-family builders rebounded from an 11-month low in December. The National Association of Home Builders noted that “many builders continue to reduce home prices to boost sales.”

BUILDING PERMITS RISE

Permits for future construction of single-family homes increased 0.7% to a pace of 976,000 units last month, the highest in 1-1/2 years. The strength in housing starts and permits bodes well for residential investment, which rebounded in the third quarter after nine straight quarterly decreases.

It could prompt economists to upgrade their gross domestic product growth estimates for the fourth quarter, which currently range from as low as a 1.0% annualized rate to as high as a 2.6% pace. The economy grew at a 5.2% rate in the third quarter. The anticipated slowdown in growth this quarter is likely to reflect moderate consumer spending as well as drags from inventories and a wider trade deficit.

Starts for housing projects with five units or more rose 8.9% to a rate of 404,000 units in November. Activity is, however, moderating as builders work through a large stock of apartment buildings under construction.

Demand for rental accommodation is also cooling, with the rental vacancy rate rising to more than a two-year high in the third quarter. Increased supply of rental housing is one of the main factors expected to drive inflation lower next year.

Multi-family building permits dropped 9.6% to a rate of 435,000 units last month.

Overall housing starts soared 14.8% to a rate of 1.560 million units in November. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast starts would fall to a rate of 1.360 million units from the previously reported 1.372 million units.

Building permits as a whole fell 2.5% to a rate of 1.460 million units last month.

RELATED CONTENT: 6 Reasons To Sell Your Home During The Holidays

• News History

by Daniel Johnson

December 19, 2023

Republicans Protest Removal Of Arlington National Cemetery Confederate Memorial

The move toward removing and renaming symbols of the Confederacy came after the 2020 murder of George Floyd and the subsequent wave of Black Lives Matter protests.

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A Confederate memorial located at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is set to be removed by Dec. 22, The Associated Press reports.

The removal is part of a push to remove Confederate-era symbols from military-led facilities, an official told AP on Dec. 16. More than 40 Republican congressmen called for the Pentagon to suspend efforts to remove the monument, but the monument is still going.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin disagrees with the removal and wants to move the monument to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. The removal comes after an independent commission that recommended military bases and assets commemorating the Confederacy be renamed also recommended that the monument be dismantled in 2022. 

The move toward removing and renaming symbols of the Confederacy were inspired by the 2020 murder of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. The monument itself is tied to the ideas prevalent in the antebellum South.

A Black woman, depicted on the monument as “Mammy,” holds what is described as the child of a white officer while an enslaved man follows his owner into war. Despite all of this, or perhaps because of it, Republicans like U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican from Georgia, are fighting to block the removal of the memorial. 

According to Newsweek, Clyde and other Republicans petitioned the Department of Defense in a letter to see their side: The memorial “does not honor nor commemorate the Confederacy; the memorial commemorates reconciliation and national unity.”

On Dec. 17, Clyde posted his actual sentiment publicly on Twitter/X. “Joe Biden’s woke DOD intends to move forward with its misguided plan to remove the Reconciliation Monument—which commemorates national unity—from Arlington National Cemetery,” Clyde wrote. “The Left wants division and destruction—not unity and reconciliation.”

The Confederacy lost the Civil War, but its symbols have lived on in America, most notably the Confederate flag, which has different connotations for Black people than whites. For Black people, particularly in the South, it is largely associated with the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan.

For white people, particularly in the South, it has come to symbolize their heritage and ungovernability. However, according to Lumen Learning, the Vice-President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens, described the reason for their split from the United States of America, and that reason was slavery and the subjugation of Black people in the South.

RELATED CONTENT: Confederate Monuments Removed From College Campuses Across The Country

• News History

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 19, 2023

‘We’re Here Because We Care’ Says Concerned Black Clergy Of Atlanta At Homelessness Event

The Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta hosted its "Night to Sleep Out" event to show solidarity and spread awareness of the homelessness crisis.

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The Concerned Black Clergy (CBC) of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. held its “Night to Sleep Out” event on Dec. 16 to show solidarity with those experiencing homelessness in the city.

According to Fox 5, members from multiple congregations across Atlanta slept outside to understand and further empathize with the thousands of unhoused people in the United States. Members set up tents and started fires to keep warm as they slept in the Liberty International Church parking lot in the city’s southwest area.

“We’re here because we care,” expressed Bishop Greg Fann of the church. “We’re here because we want to know what it’s like to be homeless.”

Attendees from all 19 participating churches slept all night outside the establishment, concluding the event the following day. The “Night to Sleep Out” was conducted to spread awareness of the growing homelessness crisis, which is also being felt directly in the Peach State. The president of the organization, the Rev. Shannon Jones, expressed how people are “struggling” to survive in these conditions, which include inflation and rising housing rents.

“An affordable one-bedroom apartment, the average is $1,400. So, we’re seeing people that are struggling, people that are living in their cars and tents,” said Rev. Jones. “They are trying to make it … people who had homes last year, people who had apartments last year.”

Noting how Georgia has the financial means to do more regarding its unhoused population, the religious leader continued, “Georgia has $11 billion that the governor can use at his discretion. We need to put our heads, hearts, minds, and hands together.”

The homelessness crisis reached new heights in 2023, disproportionately impacting Black Americans with the highest increase of unhoused people ever recorded. As for further action, the CBC will continue supporting State Senator Donzella James as she urges Georgia’s government to institute rent increase regulations in areas impacted the most.

• News History

by Daniel Johnson

December 19, 2023

Opinion: Black/Palestinian Solidarity Is Rooted In Common Ground

As Black people travel to Gaza and the West Bank, what they find when they arrive are conditions that remind them of their own fight against American racism and second-class treatment.

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According to The Associated Press, as Black people travel to Gaza and the West Bank, what they find when they arrive are conditions that remind them of their own fights against American racism and second-class treatment. Deepening this sentiment, as the Ferguson uprising was taking place in 2014 in the wake of the murder of Mike Brown Jr., it was the Palestinian people who instructed Black Americans on how to counter the irritants present in tear gas. Some white Jews worry that this relationship and the negative perception of Israel could strain the good relationship that they cultivated with Black people during the Civil Rights movement, when white Jews got involved in the freedom struggle of Black Americans. 

In November, Black American writer and cultural critic Ta-Nehisi Coates told Democracy Now! that what struck him as he traveled in Israel and Palestine for 10 days was the disconnect between how the situation in Palestine was described stateside and his own experience.

“The most shocking thing about my time over there was how uncomplicated it actually is,” Coates said, describing the segregation he witnessed as “evil.” He continued, “There’s no way for me, as an African American, to come back and stand before you, to witness segregation and not say anything about it.” He also said that whatever consequences come his way for vocally supporting the rights of Palestinians, they are not bigger than the circumstances of Palestinians. “I have to measure my fear against the misery that I saw,” he said.

Bob Kaplan, executive director of the Center for Shared Society at the Jewish Community Relations Council, told the AP, “We are concerned, as a community, about what we feel is a lack of understanding of what Israel is about and how deeply Oct. 7 has affected us.”

Kaplan continued, “Antisemitism has to be seen as a reprehensible form of hate … as any form of hate is. Antisemitism is as real to the American Jewish community, and causes as much trauma and fear and upset to the American Jewish community, as racism causes to the Black community, or anti-Asian feeling causes to the Asian community, or anti-Muslim feeling causes in the Muslim community.”

According to a joint Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released earlier in December, 44% of Black adults surveyed say that the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, compared to 30% of white and 28% of Latinx respondents. However, they were no more likely than any of the other groups surveyed to say that the U.S. is not supportive enough of Palestine. 

In a November op-ed for New Statesman, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a Black Jewish scholar, discussed how Zionism is rife with white supremacist logic. She cautioned that Zionism reflects the guiding principles of the Jim Crow system that made Black people experience life as second-class citizens in their own country.

“An ideologically coherent Jewish left must reconsider the stories we have been told about safety, security, and what it means to live without terror. We must take seriously the idea that none of us are free until all of us are free, and to understand that the ‘us’ includes Palestinians,” wrote Prescod-Weinstein.

She concluded, “This means rejecting the supremacist logic of liberal Zionism, that it is possible to build a multicultural sovereign state where Jews are uniquely, legally entitled in ways that others are not. As a black Jew, I find it easy and rather natural to repudiate this premise, which has the same basis as American Jim Crow laws.”

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, found herself at the center of a firestorm over her comments about the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Tlaib faced a censure vote over her defense of the phrase “from the river to the sea.” The phrase, which opponents claim calls for the destruction of Israel and Jewish people, has become the subject of intense political debate.

Tlaib, as reported by Al Jazeera, said that the phrase is not a call for genocide but represents “an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.” Despite her clarification, Tlaib was censured in a 234-188 vote, including 22 of her fellow Democrats.

Tlaib believes there should be a distinction between Jewish people and the government of Israel, and that conflating the two results in a dangerous precedent. “It is important to separate people and government,” she said. “The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent. And it’s been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation.”

In addition to this, a largely symbolic resolution equating antisemitism with anti-Zionism was passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives earlier in December. The resolution, presented by Republicans, also said that “from the river to the sea” was a “rallying cry for the eradication of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”

Husan Maradja, an organizer for the US Palestinian Community Network, told Al Jazeera he considered the resolution a troubling sign. “It’s super dangerous. It sets a really, really bad precedent. It’s aiming to criminalize our liberation struggle and our call for justice and peace and equality,” Maradja said. “This resolution is saying that if you’re critical of this Israeli government, essentially you hate Jewish people. I didn’t choose — the Palestinians didn’t choose — their occupiers.”

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