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Vol. 64 No. 17 | Thursday, April 25, 2024
www.sdvoice.info
Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 64 Years
Free Wi-Fi, Among Other Equity Programs, Risks City Cuts
Voice & Viewpoint Town Hall Breaks Ground On Uniting Communities Of Color
Mayor Todd Gloria announces 2025 reduction to free Wi-Fi programs By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER
Among other cuts in equity programs, Mayor Todd Gloria will eliminate $57,000 in funding for the San Diego Access 4 All Program in his proposed 2025 budget cuts, a program used by thousands of San Diegans over 2.5 million times. Amid a $167 million shortfall in the City budget, this cut will result in the closure of Wi-Fi services at 59 parks and recreation 2021 ad and info chart uploaded by the Linda Vista Public Library advertising the SD 4 All Program. PHOTO: Linda Vista Library sites throughout the city. In order to relevantly engage in society, digital equity advocates proclaim internet access as a 21st century right. Yet, millions of Californians go without these essential services. This includes
1 in 10 minority, low- income residents in San Diego, according to SANDAG reports. See CUTS page 2
Stakeholders Discuss Reparations for Black Californians as State Faces Deep Budget Cuts
Last Thursday’s “Hate & Our Communities of Color” Town Hall featured representatives from different organizations around the community. L to R: Tazheen Nizam of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Joseph Ruanto-Ramirez of the API Coalition, Inez Gonzalez-Perezchica of MANA, Angelle Maua of San Diego Black Pride, and Nao Kabashima of the Karen Organization. Not pictured: representatives of the Somali-Bantu Association of America. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/Voice & Viewpoint
SEE PAGE 7
INSIDE
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
THE POWER OF POETRY SEE PAGE 7
EARTH DAY AT WORLDBEAT CENTER SEE PAGE 8
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY
SEE PAGE 16
Invisible Hate: Anti-Muslim
Hate Incidents Going Unreported Shown from left to right are Policy Pathways to Reparations moderator John Kim, left, a member of the Budget Center Board of Directors and President and CEO of Catalyst California; panelist James Woodson, center, from the California Black Power Network and African Americans and the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT); and panelist Felicia Jones, the Director of Programs and Operations for Social Good Solutions and The Black Equity Collective. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/ CBM
By Antonio Ray Harvey CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
there are still ways to achieve reparations for Black Californians.
Although California will have to make significant budget cuts to balance its budget as required by state law, Assemblymember and California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) member Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) said
Currently, the budget deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year has been projected to be as high as $73 billion. See REPARATIONS page 2
Team Hoover
By Emily Kim Jenkins CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ever-rising tensions in the Middle East continue to ripple at home, making the 7.6 thousand miles between the Gaza Strip and San Diego feel a lot smaller for some. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a report detailing a national rise in anti-Muslim hate. CAIR received over 8 thousand complaints of hate and mistreatment across the country in 2023, the highest recorded in its thirty year history. The report accounts for the national total, but the local numbers are equally as stunning.
Anti-Islamic hate is on the rise in San Diego and across the country. With a 300 percent increase in incidents reported to CAIR, only a fraction of them are reported to the police. PHOTO: RDNE Stock Project/Pexels
See HATE page 2
Tackles Teen Mental Health Crisis A mindful solution on teen mental health, created by students, for students
Team Hoover at the Kickoff. L-R: Nhan, Khanh, Damian, Kally, Ann, Chris, & Anthony. PHOTO: The Aspen Challenge
By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER
a community focused campaign that helps their peers navigate their mental health journey.
Team Hoover at Hoover High School has been busy in the last few weeks. Back in February, the group of eight students were challenged to create
The task comes from the nationwide conference known as “The Aspen Challenge.” See HOOVER page 9
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