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Vol. 64 No. 34 | Thursday, August 22, 2024
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 64 Years
Ca Political Playback:
INSIDE
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
news you might have missed
Handling Hate in High School
Local youth town hall inspires communityfocused response to hate at school
By Emily Kim Jenkins CONTRIBUTING WRITER There is a buzz in the air that only the month of August can bring. Most children feel it, most adults remember it—the excitement and nerves that come with a new school year. Seeing old friends, making new ones and getting class schedules can almost make starting school worth ending a summer vacation, but there is a darker side to being thrust back into the social circles that can affect a young person’s year.
BLACK XPRESSION OPEN MIC SEE PAGE 7
The Stop the Hate Youth Town Hall was hosted by Dr. Leonard Thompson of M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records. From left to right: Dr. Leonard Thompson, Matthew Gordon,Commander Ben Kelso, Dr. Michelle Thompson. PHOTO: Courtesy of GODRadio1.com
A rise in hate acts affecting students across America prompted the Department of Justice to release a special report focused on hate crimes in schools, both K-12 and universities across the country. The report analyzed reports from 2018 to 2022 and found that roughly one third of all student victims experienced hate at school, and the same amount of student perpetrators committed these acts at school.
About 100 labor and racial equity activists from across the state converged on the State Capitol on Aug. 13, 2024, to support SB 1340, authored by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles). The bill would require equitable hiring for federally funded infrastructure projects. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM
BETHEL A.M.E. BBQ CELEBRATION SEE PAGE 7
See HATE page 2
Historic Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
Projected to Save Billions
The White House revealed that the newly nego-
Assembly to Vote on Legislation That Will Require Equity in State Contractor Hiring On Aug. 15, the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 11-3 to pass a bill Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) authored requiring state-funded contractors hired for largescale infrastructure projects prioritize hiring “disadvantaged workers.” Senate Bill (SB) 1340 now moves to the Assembly floor for a full vote. For all Californians, the unemployment rate is relatively low at around 5.2%. The passage of SB 1340 by the Assembly Appropriation Committee happened the same week that the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report showing that Black Californians have the lowest employment rate in California’s top 10 occupations. Those professions include managers, truck drivers, registered nurses, customer service reps, teachers, construction workers, CEOs and legislators, among other fields.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA NEWSWIRE SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT In a move hailed as a significant win for seniors, the Biden administration announced it has successfully negotiated substantial price reductions for 10 of Medicare’s most expensive and widely used prescription drugs. The result of intense negotiations with pharmaceutical giants, the move is expected to deliver billions in savings for both U.S. taxpayers and millions of older Americans who rely on these medications to manage chronic and life-threatening conditions.
By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
Act, a legislative victory that has empowered the federal government to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers for the first time in history.
Overrepresented at lower income levels, Black and Latino families consist at or below the 10th percentile while comprising 44% of all families in the state, the PPIC reported. For every dollar that White families earn, Asians make 95 cents, Black families earn 58 cents, and Latinos earn 52 cents.
See MEDICARE page 2
See PLAYBACK page 2
PHOTO: NNPA
tiated prices could save U.S. taxpayers a staggering $6 billion. In comparison, Medicare beneficiaries are projected to save an estimated $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs during the first year of implementation. The price cuts are a direct outcome of the Inflation Reduction
Lemon Grove’s Mayor Vasquez Presents Annual State of The City By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER
Celebrating its 47th year in service, City of Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez boasted administrative accomplishment and community pride during her annual State of the City Address last Wednesday evening.
Mayor Vasquez delivering her address at Lemon Grove Library. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/ Voice & Viewpoint
The city, located in East County, is home to a diverse mix of over 27,000 residents, representing the largest population of Black residents across the entire county. Suited with a $53 million dollar budget, Mayor Vasquez highlighted to audience members how this is the third consecutive year that the city has maintained a balanced budget.
“Now that deserves a round of applause,” said Mayor Vasquez, stating that this stability will help pave a way for a more secure and prosperous financial future for the city. Along with residents and leaders of Lemon Grove, representatives from the City of San Diego, the County, and the Sheriff 's Department also were present during the Aug. 14 event, held at the Lemon Grove Library. Vasquez’s address, yielding a crowd of about fifty, was filled with optimism and a focus on city affairs, such as homelessness. See LEMON GROVE page 2
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