by Lydia Blanco

May 7, 2020

When America Opens Its Doors Again, Will Black People Be Welcomed?

I have to admit, for nearly two months I have been skeptical about the lack of reporting on black lives beyond stories about the disproportionate impact COVID-19 is having on black communities. In deep thought and during conversations with others, I have posed questions about the oddity of not hearing about black people being brutalized or killed in racially motivated attacks.

Not to my surprise, a number of my questions were answered last week when the news of an unarmed black man being killed gained national attention.

On February 23, 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery’s life was stolen in Georgia by two white vigilantes who pursued, shot, and killed him after accusing him of a number of home invasions in the Brunswick community in Georgia.

More than two months after he was slain, a message was sent to black people as America opens its doors after months of being closed: be safe. While that’s something most black people know, the question I have is, once America opens its doors again, will black people be welcomed?

An interesting piece by NBC dives deeper into a number of my thoughts and provides insight given by experts.

Last week, during a gathering in Brownsville, residents were met with calamity once they stepped foot outdoors, while non-black New Yorkers hanging out in city parks were given protective essentials and greeted by NYPD.

 

 

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And this is not the only incident that has made headlines. Suspended NYPD officer Francisco Garcia, was caught on camera assaulting a 33-year-old black man during a social distancing stop—which sounds like the  COVID-19 era’s version of stop-and-frisk.

Since joining the force in 2012, Garcia has cost the city $200,000 in lawsuits. And prior to COVID-19, black people were already being marginalized.

Arbery’s name is now added to a long list of men, women, and non-gender conforming individuals who have been brutalized and killed. And it’s hard to think about what new norms and opposition black people will face when shelter-in-place mandates are lifted nationwide.

 

The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s and not necessarily the opinion of Black Enterprise.

Indianapolis Police Kill Black Man, Laugh About It Not Realizing It’s Being Recorded On Facebook Live
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 7, 2020

Indianapolis Police Kill Black Man, Laugh About It Not Realizing It’s Being Recorded On Facebook Live

According to NewsOne, Indianapolis police officers shot and killed what appears to be an unarmed black man last night and the victim was streaming the incident on Facebook Live.

The victim, Sean Reed, was live-streaming himself on Facebook when he was shot. Unknown to the police, Reed was recording as he was gunned down and the officers had no clue that after shooting him, they could be heard sharing a laugh over his dead body.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released a statement (in full below) stating that gunfire was exchanged between the officers and the victim. “There was an exchange of gunfire between the driver and the officer. The driver was struck by the gunfire.”

Yet, in video clips that went viral, there was no evidence that Reed had or fired a gun.

The following clips suggest that the circumstances are substantially different from the statement written by the Indianapolis Police Department.

 

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released a written statement:

On May 6, 2020 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Deputy Chief Kendale Adams was traveling northbound on Interstate 65 at West 30th Street when he observed a vehicle, described as a grey Toyota Corolla with four doors, driving recklessly. The vehicle had almost struck other vehicles while it exited the interstate. Deputy Chief Adams was in an unmarked police vehicle and Chief Randal Taylor was in a separate vehicle directly behind Deputy Chief Adams. Deputy Chief Adams asked for other officers’ assistance as he began a pursuit on the vehicle. Chief Taylor continued to assist Major Adams. The vehicle continued driving at a high rate of speed and disobeying all traffic signals.

As marked cars arrived in the pursuit, Chief Taylor and Major Adams removed themselves from the pursuit as is standard procedure. At 6:10 p.m. the pursuit was terminated by the Sergeant monitoring the pursuit. Officers immediately backed away from the vehicle and disengaged their emergency equipment.

Just before 6:16 p.m. a Northwest district officer observed the grey Toyota Corolla pull into the rear of a business in the 6200 block of Michigan Road. The driver then jumped out of the vehicle disregarding the officers verbal commands to stop. A short foot pursuit occurred east bound from the location. Initial information indicates the officer deployed his taser. At which point there was an exchange of gunfire between the driver and the officer. The driver was struck by the gunfire.

Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) responded to the scene and pronounced the driver deceased at the scene.

The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to the scene to collect forensic evidence.

IMPD closely scrutinizes all uses of force, as we hold every officer to our high standards. While we are withholding judgement on the actions of the involved officer at this time, the officer has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. The shooting is being investigated by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).  A separate and independent internal investigation will be conducted by IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit to ensure compliance with departmental policy, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is involved and will be consulted throughout the investigative process, which includes up to or including the Grand Jury, with civilian oversight. In addition, the IMPD Firearms Review Board will determine whether the departmental use of force was reasonable.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. This release may be updated as more information becomes available. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.

Joe Biden Says Ahmaud Arbery ‘Was Killed in Cold Blood’
by Derek Major

May 7, 2020

Joe Biden Says Ahmaud Arbery ‘Was Killed in Cold Blood’

Joe Biden is speaking out about the death of an African American man in Georgia by a former district attorney investigator and his son.

Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old African American man, was jogging through Brunswick, Georgia, when Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son, Travis, confronted him. The two men told police they suspected Arbery of being a burglar in the suburban neighborhood.

After stopping Arbery in their truck, an argument ensued and Travis shot Arbery twice, killing him immediately.

According to BET, the presidential hopeful and others are speaking out after a graphic video of the incident was released Tuesday by Lee Merritt Esq. an attorney for Arbery’s family,

“The video is clear: Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood,” Biden said on Twitter Tuesday. “My heart goes out to his family, who deserve justice and deserve it now. It is time for a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his murder.

BET also reported that Tom Durden, the District Attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, is now recommending the case be “presented to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges against those involved in the death of Mr. Arbery.”

Some may see this as a sign that justice will prevail. However, Georgia ACLU political director Christopher Bruce told an Atlanta CBS affiliate that “we have been down this road before with grand juries and it has not brought justice.”

Merritt noted that two other district attorneys refused to prosecute Gregory and Travis McMichael. One of the district attorneys was recused due to a conflict of interest.

African American celebrities have also expressed their concerns regarding the incident including LeBron James, sportswriter Jemele Hill, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

African Americans had already expressed fear for their safety during these times, particularly when it comes to wearing face masks in public due to the negative reaction they may get from cops and white Americans. Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for guidance for local law enforcement to follow.

Pew Surveys Show Coronavirus Hitting African Americans, Hispanics Harder Than Others
by Derek Major

May 7, 2020

Pew Surveys Show Coronavirus Hitting African Americans, Hispanics Harder Than Others

The coronavirus outbreak has changed life for everyone in the United States, but for African Americans and Hispanics, the virus has forced them to risk life for money.

According to a series of Pew Research Center surveys, the financial and health aftermath of the virus has hit both races significantly. The surveys revealed significant racial and ethnic differences in experiences dealing with the illness or death of loved ones, as well as job loss and pay cuts.

Most of these differences are the result of decades of underlying economic, geographic, and health circumstances.

Here are some of the main points the surveys show.

Job and wage losses hit Hispanic residents hardest

Nearly 61% of Hispanic Americans and 44% of African Americans said in April that they or someone in their household experienced a job or wage loss due to the coronavirus pandemic. Just 38% of white adults have made the same claim.

In a survey taken a month earlier, 49% of Hispanics, 36% of blacks, and 29% of whites said they or someone in their home experienced a job or wage loss.

These numbers lead to the next key finding.

Most African Americans and Hispanics don’t have financial reserves

In the April survey, 73% of African Americans and 70% of Hispanic Americans said they did not have emergency funds to cover three months of expenses. Almost half of white adults (47%) said the same.

The vast majority of black and Hispanic adults without financial reserves added they would not be able to cover their expenses for three months by borrowing money, using savings, or selling assets.

As a result, many African and Hispanic Americans have had to take jobs as essential workers to stay afloat financially. This forces citizens to gamble their lives to keep food on the table and pay their bills.

The downturn has made it harder to pay monthly bills

Forty-eight percent of African Americans and 44% of Hispanic Americans say they “cannot pay some bills or can only make partial payments on some of them this month,” according to the April survey;  26% of white adults have said the same.

Additionally, the survey said 46% of African Americans and 28% of Hispanic Americans say they had trouble paying bills in a typical month before the pandemic.

Significant differences in personal experiences with coronavirus

Twenty-seven percent of African Americans said they personally knew someone who has been hospitalized or died as a result of having coronavirus, roughly double the shares who said this among Hispanic or white adults (13% each).

Hispanic Americans however, expressed greater concern than other groups about contracting coronavirus and requiring hospitalization. Hispanics were also more likely than blacks or whites to be worried that they might unknowingly spread the virus to others and two-thirds of all adults said they were at least somewhat concerned about doing spreading the virus.

Hispanic and African Americans more likely to accept cellphone tracking

Sixty-six percent of Hispanic Americans and 56% of African Americans said in April that it’s at least somewhat acceptable for the government to use people’s cellphones to track the location of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus. About half of white Americans (47%) said the same.

Hispanic (55%) and African (45%) Americans were also more likely than white adults (31%) to say it is very or somewhat acceptable for the government to track the location of people’s cellphones to ensure people are complying with social distancing orders and limiting social contact during the outbreak.

The findings come while countries such as South Korea, have begun to monitor and track the coronavirus through cellphones.

Despite the support for cellphone tracking in this context, 62% of blacks and 47% of Hispanics believe cellphone tracking will not make much of a difference in limiting the spread of coronavirus.

Both African and Hispanic Americans have had to deal with trying to stay afloat economically by becoming essential workers, while at the same time trying to not be infected.

by Lydia Blanco

May 7, 2020

Walker & Company Brands Gives Back to Atlanta’s Beauty & Grooming Professionals and Chicago High-School Students Amid COVID-19

Millions of Americans have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 which includes, but is not limited to, entrepreneurs in the beauty and grooming industries–and their students.

Earlier this week, Walker & Company Brands responded to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms‘ call for action on Giving Tuesday to support the Strength in Beauty Fund to give back to Atlanta professionals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Going above and beyond, Walker & Company Brands also decided to help students in Chicago during this time as well.

Since the inception of Walker & Company Brands, Tristan Walker, founder and CEO of the company, has found ways to uplift and invest in black communities near and far. That is why when Mayor Bottoms charged people to give back, Walker responded.

The “Strength in Beauty” fund will provide grants for eligible cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, skincare specialists and makeup artists whose businesses have been negatively impacted by the necessary measures taken to control the novel coronavirus.

In a statement released by Walker & Company Brands, the Atlanta based CEO shared his excitement about partnering with the mayor to help others.

“When Mayor Bottoms announced the Strength in Beauty Fund, I knew, right away, that Walker & Company would contribute,” said Walker.

“We salute Mayor Bottoms’ leadership, standing firm to help bridge the gap for those in need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Walker added. “Walker & Company is proud not only to call Atlanta home, but also to remain dedicated to the economic empowerment of the independent cosmetology workforce. We will always advocate for the health of our community, especially those most impacted by this pandemic. We stand with our hometown mayor.”

Walker & Company has also donated laptops to Chicago-based Urban Prep Academies to support social distance learning.

In the same statement released by the company, Tia Cummings, its vice president of marketing, affirmed, “Bevel is committed to the success and empowerment of black men. A big part of that is education. We want to ensure that there are no barriers to education. We are beyond happy to continue our support of the young black men of Urban Prep Academies”

Tina Knowles Lawson Partners with Beyonce for COVID-19 Mobile Testing Relief in Houston
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 7, 2020

Tina Knowles Lawson Partners with Beyonce for COVID-19 Mobile Testing Relief in Houston

Generosity runs in the family.

Philanthropist, entrepreneur, and fashion designer Tina Knowles Lawson, mother to singing sensation Beyoncé Carter, has created the #IDIDMYPART initiative to encourage Houston residents to get themselves tested in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the dire infection rates and fatalities affecting black communities, Lawson is pleading to Houston residents to know their status in an urgent appeal to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“The virus is wreaking havoc on the black community so we need a movement to prioritize our health,” Lawson said in a written statement.

Based on a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of April 23, 33.7% of COVID patients were African American, even though African Americans comprise 13% of the U.S. population. And as per the CDC, as of mid-April, roughly 33% of all fatalities are African American.

“We are all in this together. But we have to look at what is happening in our black and brown communities and how they are being decimated by COVID-19,” Lawson continued. “It is critical that we stay vigilant with social distancing, wearing a mask, and most of all getting tested. If you don’t get tested then you don’t know if you are a carrier of the virus. Being asymptomatic is how you infect your entire household and those around you, the very people you love. We have got to go to these free testing facilities and find out our status.”

This program is sponsored by BeyGOOD, the philanthropic initiative founded by Beyoncé. #IDIDMYPART Mobile Testing Relief Campaign is slated to take place Mother’s Day weekend as it aims to bring awareness to the daily testing administered by United Memorial Medical Center, initiated by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX). This weekend’s effort will provide 1,000 test kits, face masks, gloves, essential vitamins, and household supplies to citizens of Houston. Testing is free and administered under safe conditions as participants don’t have to exit their vehicles.

“Testing is crucial because it helps find hot spots and saves lives,” said Jackson-Lee. “Texas has a very low COVID-19 test rate, second-lowest in the nation. This is why the commitment by Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson and BeyGOOD is so significant in helping Houstonians get out and get tested.”

Tyler Perry, has accepted Lawson’s challenge to do the same and will set up his own #IDIDMYPART campaign in Atlanta. He will then challenge another celebrity to continue the movement in their city.

Judges Declare Michael Jackson’s Estate Does Not Have to Pay Quincy Jones $6.9 Million in Royalties
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 7, 2020

Judges Declare Michael Jackson’s Estate Does Not Have to Pay Quincy Jones $6.9 Million in Royalties

A verdict issued in 2017 in a lawsuit Quincy Jones filed against Michael Jackson’s estate has been reversed,  stating that the estate does not have to pay Jones $6.9 million in royalties, according to Variety magazine.

An appellate court ruled earlier this week that the Estate of Michael Jackson does not have to pay almost $7 million in royalties and fees to music producer Quincy Jones. The three-judge panel of the 2nd Appellate District overturned the majority of the original 2017 jury verdict, stating that the trial judge had allowed the jury to misinterpret Jones’ contract.

The lawyers for Jones had argued that the producer was entitled to about $30 million in royalties and other income derived from the This Is It concert film, two Cirque du Soleil shows, and other revenue streams that took place after the death of Jackson back in 2009. After a two-week trial, the jurors awarded Jones $9.4 million.

The appeals court took the majority of the original award back saying that Judge Michael L. Stern had erred by not interpreting the contract himself, and instead leaving it up to the jurors. “The only compensation Jones was entitled to receive was royalties from record sales on remixes, and the evidence indicates he received them,” Justice Judith Ashmann-Gerst wrote. “If he wanted remixing fees, he had to negotiate them in separate agreements.”

Howard Weitzman, who represented the Jackson estate, issued a written statement:

“Quincy Jones was the last person we thought would try to take advantage of Michael Jackson by filing a lawsuit three years after he died asking for tens of millions of dollars he wasn’t entitled to,” Weitzman said. “We knew the verdict was wrong when we heard it, and the court of appeal has completely vindicated us. From the beginning, this was an attempt to take advantage of Michael knowing he wasn’t here to defend himself.”

John Branca, co-executor of the estate, also commented: “So many people have tried to take advantage of Michael and mischaracterize him since his death. It’s gratifying that in this case the court in an overwhelmingly favorable and just decision, recognizes that Michael Jackson was both an enormous talent and an extremely fair business executive.”

Kirk Dillman, the attorney representing Jones, stated: “While we disagree with portions of the Court’s decision and are evaluating our options going forward, we are pleased that the Court affirmed the jury’s determination that MJJP failed to pay Quincy Jones more than $2.5M that it owed him.”

Zoom Conference Call for Delaware Black-Owned Businesses Interrupted by Hackers Spewing Racist Rhetoric and Pornography
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 7, 2020

Zoom Conference Call for Delaware Black-Owned Businesses Interrupted by Hackers Spewing Racist Rhetoric and Pornography

It seems as if nothing is truly safe online. A Zoom conference call that was set up by the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus last week was interrupted by hackers who forced their way in with racist language, Nazi imagery, and graphic pornography, according to Delaware Online.

Last Wednesday, the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus arranged a virtual conference event that was going to focus on helping black-owned businesses and organizations receive federal money. In an unexpected move, the Zoom-hosted call was taken over by a hacker who gained control and displayed a racial slur and porn.

The Zoom virtual “meeting” was an informal panel of eight state lawmakers, a few members of Congress, and several other officials. The meeting was a virtual information session to encourage African American businesses, churches, and not for profits to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, a $349 billion program that the federal government launched to help small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly an hour into the Zoom conference call, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is heard speaking about “the equity of this whole process” when the screen goes black and she disappears. The video screen stays black for about 2 minutes as participants continue meeting. Then, a white cursor appears on the black screen. A scribbling of the N-word in red appears across the screen, along with a drawing of a swastika.

“So I see someone has joined,” said Blunt Rochester, when she appeared back on the screen. “And you know what, we rebuke hate. We know that this—there’s a bigger plan here, and it’s all about love and caring for each other as a part of a large community. And so I am so grateful, I’m grateful for everybody that’s on this call. Because we know that that’s really what these times are showing us. It’s calling out who we really are. It’s not about who we say we want to be.”

Without skipping a beat, Blunt Rochester says, “So don’t worry folks, we’re going to be together in it, and we’re going to continue to work together. Stay strong, and thank you so much. And don’t forget the Census!”

The meeting was apparently a victim of “Zoom-bombing,” in which people crash public meetings with obscenities, racial slurs, or hate speech.

Michigan Security Guard Killed Over Face Mask Argument Honored as Parent of the Year
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 7, 2020

Michigan Security Guard Killed Over Face Mask Argument Honored as Parent of the Year

The Michigan security guard who was killed after refusing to allow a customer to enter the Family Dollar where he worked was recently named parent of the year at Madison Academy in Burton, according to ABC News.

Calvin Munerlyn, 43, died last week after he was shot while working as a security guard at Family Dollar in Flint.

“When we need something, we are going to call ‘Duper.’ When we need somebody to do security at graduation, we need somebody to come up fix his famous oodles, so he would come up during lunch and fix those. Fundraisers, whatever it is that we need, Mr. Munerlyn was there for the kids,” Madison Academy Principal Christel Drew told ABC 12 News.

“We have four of their children here, two of their other children graduated from Madison Academy, so the Munerlyns are our family,” said Drew, who added that the award would be renamed the “Super Duper” parent award in Calvin Murelyn’s honor. 

On Friday, Murelyn told  Sharmel Teague’s daughter she couldn’t enter the store because she lacked a face mask, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Before leaving, Teague, 45, got into a heated argument and spat on Murelyn. Shortly after, two men entered.

Teague, her 44-year-old husband, Larry, 44, and Ramonyea Bishop, 23 were charged with first-degree premeditated murder and gun charges. Larry Teague is also charged with violating Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order mandating that all customers and employees must wear face coverings inside grocery stores, Leyton said. In most states, a face mask is required to enter a store to try to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Leyton announced charges against three suspects in Munerlyn’s shooting on Monday. Two of them, 44-year-old Larry Edward Teague and 23-year-old Ramonyea Bishop, remain at large.

“It is important that the governor’s order be respected and adhered to, and for someone to lose their life over it is beyond comprehension,” Leyton said in a statement.

As of Monday, Michigan has a reported 43,754 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,049 deaths due to complications from the coronvavirus.

“The hostile tone that we have seen in recent days on television and in social media can permeate our society in ways we sometimes don’t fully realize or anticipate,” Leyton told reporters Monday. “Decisions like staying home when we can, wearing a mask when going to the store, and staying a safe distance from those around us—these should not be political arguments. They don’t necessitate acts of defiance, and we simply cannot devolve into an us versus them mentality.”

Munerlyn’s mother, Bernadett, said she wants justice for her son.Ho

“They didn’t have to take my baby and it wasn’t that serious,” she said during a candlelight vigil. “All you people just have to do is listen to the law, listen to the governor. Just stay home. If you don’t have to come out, then you wouldn’t need a mask unless you’re out getting groceries or necessities. All my baby was doing was his job.”

New Study: The Coronavirus Has Mutated and Is More Contagious
by Derek Major

May 7, 2020

New Study: The Coronavirus Has Mutated and Is More Contagious

According to a study, the coronavirus has mutated and the new, dominant strain spreading across the U.S. appears to be even more contagious.

As reported by NBC News, the study was conducted by the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The new strain began to spread in Europe in early February before migrating to other countries. The strain hit the U.S. and Canada in late March.

The researchers warned in the study that if the coronavirus doesn’t subside in the summer the situation could get worse. Mutations of the virus could potentially limit the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines currently being developed.

Bette Korber, a computational biologist at Los Alamos and lead author of the study, acknowledged the news is serious, but added the worldwide effort for a vaccine has its advantages.

“This is hard news,” Korber, told NBC News and wrote on her Facebook page.

“But please don’t only be disheartened by it,” she continued. “Our team at LANL was able to document this mutation and its impact on transmission only because of a massive global effort of clinical people and experimental groups, who make new sequences of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) in their local communities available as quickly as they possibly can.”

The study has yet to be peer-reviewed, but the news is of “urgent concern” considering more than 100 vaccines are currently being developed.

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates is also currently spending billions to fund seven possible vaccines.

To find the mutation, researchers received help from Duke University and the University of Sheffield in England. Together, they analyzed thousands of coronavirus sequences collected by the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza.

The initiative promotes the rapid sharing of data from all influenza viruses and the coronavirus. To date, the researchers have identified 14 mutations.

The mutation described in the study impacts the spike protein, a multifunctional mechanism that allows the virus to enter the host.

Another study published in the journal Nature Research found the coronavirus lingers in the air of crowded spaces with poor ventilation such as elevators and subways.

 

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