Years
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Vol. 65 No. 9 | Thursday, February 27, 2025
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years
BLACK JUDGES YESTERDAY BLACK AND TODAY IN SAN DIEGO HISTORY
INSIDE
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
MONTH
44TH ANNUAL
TRIBUTE TO REGGAE LEGENDS SEE PAGE 7
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE EQUITY IS:
NAACP ISSUES BLACK CONSUMER GUIDE By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
The Honorable Presiding Judges from left to right: Hon. Tilisha T. Martin, Hon. Roderick Shelton, Hon. Terrie Roberts. PHOTO: Courtesy of the San Diego Superior Court
VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
During Black History Month we usually look back at those who have paved the way for so many of us today. The thirteen judges serving in the San Diego Superior Court are all young enough to still become State Appellate and possibly State Supreme Court Judges. They are our Black History makers today for those who will follow them tomorrow. Let us applaud and appreciate these young men and women who serve because they are qualified and not because they are DEI or tokens.
“We encourage you to spend your money where you’re respected, support Blackowned businesses, and demand businesses prioritize people over profit,” writes the NAACP in a nationwide announcement of the Black Consumer Advisory issued Feb. 15.
See JUDGES pages 8-9
See NAACP page 2
A community member holds a sign calling for a national boycott of Target. Jan. 30, 2025. PHOTO: Ellen Schmidt/AP
ENCANTO RESIDENTS PUSH BACK AGAINST UNCHECKED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
By Macy Meinhardt VV STAFF WRITER/ CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW Video Contributions by Voice & Viewpoint Staff Tihut Tamrat
Nestled in Southeastern San Diego, the neighborhood of Encanto has long been cherished for its rolling hills, spacious lots, and semirural charm. Many families, like Becca Bautista’s, were drawn to its affordability. Recent development projects, however, have sent shockwaves throughout the small community, as a surge of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) projects threatens to dramatically increase Encanto’s density.
San Diego’s Bonus ADU program, a program designed to boost affordable housing, allows developers to construct additional ADUs on properties marked affordable and near public transit. While intended to address the housing crisis, the program has resulted in unprecedented construction activity in Encanto without proper input from the community. As of print time, more than 20 separate ADU projects have been proposed, resulting in what neighbors say will bring 539 new units to their neighborhood alone. See ENCANTO page 2
43 ADU unit proposal on Tarbox St. PHOTO: Tihut Tamrat, Voice & Viewpoint Staff
CITY IMPLEMENTS COST-SAVING KENDRICK LAMAR’S HALFTIME SHOW: MEASURES TO LESSEN BLOW ON CUTS A GENIUS CULTURAL STATEMENT OR A CONTROVERSIAL SPECTACLE?
By Macy Meinhardt VV STAFF WRITER/ CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW
By Tihut Tamrat VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF
Facing a staggering $258 million budget shortfall, San Diego officials are rolling out cost-cutting and consolidation measures that will mean higher costs for residents and potential program cuts. “San Diegans should know that your city government is making tough calls now, so we can avoid even harder decisions down the road,” said Mayor Todd Gloria in a Feb. 18 press conference. The mayor has a few months until he is required to present a balanced budget proposal to council for the next fiscal year. Despite facing a tough financial road, councilmembers emphasize the need to “exhaust” all other revenue sources, like
Community member speaks to members of city council during last years final budget hearing, May 2024. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff
fine implementation, before considering public service cuts. In city-administered areas like parking, this has already begun to take place. At the start of February, councilmembers voted to double the parking meter rate from $1.25 to $2.50 an hour. See CUTS page 2
Beyond the all-Black dancer crew and the most-watched Super Bowl at 133.5 million, 109 million more than the 24.6 million that watched President Trump’s second inauguration, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance has ignited a spectrum of reactions across media outlets and social media platforms, reflecting the nation’s diverse perspectives on his artistry and message. Here’s what media outlets had to say about it. See LAMAR page 2
Kendrick Lamar performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9th, 2025, in New Orleans. PHOTO: Brynn Anderson/AP
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