DID YOU KNOW….!?Despite being at the forefront of social justice movements, Black communities continue to face environmental injustices, with higher exposure to pollution and fewer resources for environmental protection. Explore with us the imperative for environmental equity and sustainable solutions.

United Against Injustice: 7 Moments of Asian American and Black American Solidarity

Asian American and Black American solidarity has played a crucial role in achieving civil, labor, and economic freedoms throughout history. Stacker highlights seven moments where these communities joined forces and made significant contributions to progress. These moments include:

• 👥 Frederick Douglass opposing the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1869, arguing against the fear of an influx of Asian immigration and emphasizing the importance of racial equality.
• 📍 Black Americans expressing opposition to the colonization of the Philippines by the United States after the Spanish-American War in 1898.
• 📚 The Japanese American Citizens League advocating for workplace discrimination protections and broadening the concept of "minorities" in civil rights efforts.
• ⚖️ Protests led by San Franciscan Asian American students and Black activists against the Emergency Detention Act of 1950, leading to its repeal in 1971.
• 🌈 The formation of the Rainbow Coalition in 1969, incorporating various ethnic and racial groups in Chicago to address common issues together.
• 🎓 The demand for ethnic studies courses by the Black Student Union at San Francisco State in the 1960s, which eventually became a requirement for high school graduation in California in 2021.
• 🤝 Cooperation between Vietnamese and Black Americans in rebuilding their communities after Hurricane Katrina, leading to shared efforts in stopping developers from profiting and protesting environmental racism.

These moments exemplify the power of unity and collaboration between different ethnic and racial communities in the pursuit of social progress.

Landmark Lawsuit Exposes Decades of Discrimination Against Black Veterans in VA Benefits

A landmark racial discrimination lawsuit filed against the US Department of Veterans Affairs by Marine Corps veteran Conley Monk Jr. could be a breakthrough moment for Black veterans. The suit alleges that both Monk Jr. and his father were denied benefits based on their race after serving in the Vietnam War and World War II, respectively. The lawsuit claims that the VA engaged in "systemic racial discrimination against Black veterans for decades." Monk Jr. hopes that other Black veterans will join him in a potential class-action lawsuit against the VA. The case is being brought under the Federal Torts Claims Act and includes claims of negligence and emotional distress caused by the VA's alleged discriminatory practices. FOIA requests by the Black Veterans Project and Yale Law School have produced evidence indicating decades of racial discrimination at the VA. ✊🏿💔

Stephen A. Smith's Non-Apology Fires Up Black Folks - Backlash Ensues

Stephen A. Smith recently faced backlash after defending Donald Trump's claim that Black people relate to his legal troubles. 😬 In response, Smith issued a non-apology apology that only further angered the Black community. 👎 He claimed that his words were taken out of context and apologized to anyone who was offended. However, many social media users and activists saw through his apology and called it insincere. 😒 Smith's attempt to clarify his comments only sparked more outrage online. Critics argued that Smith was fully aware of what he was saying and that he should take responsibility for his words. Overall, his non-apology apology only served to worsen the situation and deepen the insult felt by Black individuals. 😤

Empowering Black Communities: Join Capital B in Covering the 2024 Election

Capital B News is committed to providing better informed and empowered Black communities throughout the 2024 election year. Their political coverage is guided by a commitment to service journalism that explains the stakes for Black communities and provides information to empower readers to effect change. Here are some highlights from their coverage:

• 📰 Capital B aims to correct oversights and omissions in mainstream news coverage by focusing on how political issues and policy decisions affect Black people in America.
• 💡 Their coverage includes three aspects: The Stakes (explanatory reporting that contextualizes what’s at stake for Black communities), Service (journalism that guides readers through the political process and provides clear, trustworthy reporting), and Power (distinctive stories and live journalism that highlight the areas where Black people have the power to shift the future of the country).
• 🌍 Capital B values the perspectives of a wide range of Black people and strives to produce robust coverage that breaks down complicated concepts and documents the lives of Black people during this critical time.
• ✅ Their coverage areas include voting rights, misinformation/disinformation, interrogations of Black leadership, and issues related to race and power.
• 🚀 Capital B's coverage stands out by focusing on the impact of policies, avoiding "horse race" political journalism, and providing context and analysis rather than just reporting the latest polling data.
• 🌟 They are committed to reporting stories that reflect the diversity and richness of Black communities and aim to bring their own lived experiences to their journalism.
• 🤝 The Capital B team includes national editors, politics reporters, rural issues reporters, health reporters, environment reporters, and criminal justice reporters, all dedicated to providing distinctive coverage to Black communities.
• ❤️ Capital B News is a nonprofit news organization that relies on support from readers.

Morehouse College Tense as Biden's Commencement Speech Sparks Campus Controversy

Morehouse College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is facing concerns from faculty members over President Joe Biden's planned commencement speech due to student protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Faculty members at the college have expressed worries about the selection of Biden as the 2024 Commencement speaker and have requested a virtual meeting to discuss the issue. Despite concerns, the college has stated that it will not rescind its invitation to Biden. The speech is scheduled to take place on May 19th. Morehouse students have expressed mixed reactions to the announcement, with some voicing their opposition to the president speaking at the college due to the Biden administration's support of Israel in the conflict. Morehouse alumni have also circulated a letter criticizing the decision to let Biden speak. Anti-Israel protests have been occurring on college campuses across the country, leading to arrests and suspensions. However, the White House has not indicated that Biden will skip the commencement speech at Morehouse. ✨🎓😮 #MorehouseCollege #BidenSpeech #IsraelHamasWar #StudentProtests

Black College President Takes a Stand to Repair Black-Jewish Relations

📢 Black college president, Rochelle Ford, aims to mend 🔗 Black-Jewish relations in the US. After accusations of antisemitism involving Black celebrities, Ford launched a fundraising campaign to revive Dillard University's National Center for Black-Jewish Relations. However, controversy arose when Ford spoke at a pro-Israel rally, leading to criticism from some students and alumni who felt that Palestinian concerns were being overlooked. The relationship between the Black and Jewish communities has evolved, with the Black Lives Matter movement forming an alliance with Palestinian activists. 🔍 Recent polling shows that Black Americans are less likely to support Israel's treatment of Palestinians compared to White Americans. As Ford pushes to revive the center, she faces the challenge of raising funds and building relationships to foster unity between the two communities. 🌈✡️

Uncovering the Untold Stories: This Week in Black History, April 24-30, 2024

This article provides a summary of significant events in black history that occurred from April 24-30. Here are some highlights:

• In 1867, the first national meeting of the Ku Klux Klan took place 💀, marking the beginning of a wave of terror and violence against African Americans that would last for 70 years.
• In 1944, the United Negro College Fund was incorporated 🎓, providing thousands of scholarships and educational support to African American students.
• On April 25, 1918, Jazz singing legend Ella Fitzgerald was born 🎵. Despite growing up in poverty, she became one of the most celebrated singers of her time.
• On April 26, 1886, the "mother of the Blues" Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was born 🎶. She was the first person to sing the Blues in minstrel shows and coached the iconic Bessie Smith.
• In 1994, South Africa held its first all-race elections 🇿🇦, bringing an end to 300 years of white minority rule and electing Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president.
• On April 28, 1967, the World Boxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission withdrew recognition of Muhammad Ali as world heavyweight champion due to his opposition to the Vietnam War ✊.
• The Los Angeles riots began on April 29, 1992 🔥, after four white police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, leading to widespread violence and destruction.
• On April 30, 711 AD, Tarik the Moor invaded Spain 🏰, establishing Moorish domination. Despite some dispute over his race, he was described as having "brown skin and wooly hair."
• In 1828, Shaka, the great Zulu king, was killed ☠️. His military strategies kept European imperialism at bay and established Zulu dominance in Southern Africa.

These events highlight significant moments in black history and the achievements, struggles, and resilience of African Americans throughout the years.

The Black Tax: How the US Stole $600 Billion from African Americans

In a new book titled "Black Tax: How the US Stole $600 Billion from African Americans," University of Virginia professor Andrew W. Kahrl argues that the US tax system has been weaponized against Black Americans for over a century. 🔍💰

The book highlights stories like that of Anthony Fleming and J.R. Rooks, who founded the town of Edmonson, Arkansas in the early 1900s as a place for Black Americans to have access to land ownership. However, despite their efforts, tax policies and practices prevented many Black Americans from accumulating and maintaining wealth. 🔒🚫

Some highlights from the article include:

• The book explores how tax policies and practices have disproportionately burdened Black Americans, contributing to economic inequality. 👥🏦💔
• It discusses the historical context of a racist tax system and how it has impacted Black communities. 📚🕰️🌍
• The author argues that the US government has intentionally hindered Black wealth accumulation through tax policies that target Black individuals and communities. 🎯💵🚧
• The book calls for a reevaluation and reform of the tax system to address these racial disparities. ✅💪🌟

Overall, the book sheds light on the ways in which the US tax system has perpetuated economic inequality and hindered Black Americans' ability to accumulate and maintain wealth. 💡🔓💸

TikTok Faces the Clock: Will the Popular App Survive or Face a Ban?

The latest issue of Capital B's newsletter, Everything's Political, covers a range of topics including the future of TikTok ⏰, the passing of black arts pioneer Faith Ringgold 🎨, a key race in Pennsylvania 🗳️, and more. The newsletter explains that TikTok may face a ban in the US if its China-based parent company does not sell the app within 270 days, which could have a significant impact on black users who rely on the platform for financial opportunities 💔💼. The passing of Faith Ringgold, an influential visual artist, is also highlighted, with her work and legacy explored. The newsletter also discusses the recent reelection of U.S. Rep. Summer Lee in Pennsylvania and the potential passing of the "Minnesota Voting Rights Act" in Minnesota 🌟🗳️. Finally, independent presidential candidate Cornel West and his running mate, Melina Abdullah, are mentioned, with their bid for the White House discussed. 🇺🇸📚

Black Voters Matter Hosts Empowering Talk on Medicaid Expansion in Jackson

📢 Black Voters Matter and the American Cancer Society American Cancer Network recently hosted a discussion on Medicaid expansion at St. Matthew M.B. Church in Jackson, Mississippi. The event emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and political participation in addressing healthcare disparities and promoting health equity. The conversation urged attendees to contact their state lawmakers about expanding Medicaid and highlighted the need for their voices to be heard in the decision-making process. Currently, Mississippi is one of 10 states that has not adopted Medicaid expansion, despite the potential benefits of decreasing the number of uninsured individuals and alleviating financial burdens on hospitals. Lawmakers in the state are currently negotiating different proposals for Medicaid expansion, with the goal of reaching a compromise before the legislative session ends. However, even if an agreement is reached, the expansion bill would likely face a veto from Governor Tate Reeves. 🏛️💼

Breaking Down Project 2025: How the Movement Threatens Black Equality

A right-wing think tank called the Heritage Foundation has spearheaded a transition plan called Project 2025, which aims to roll back civil rights policies that have benefited Black Americans. The plan would be implemented if Donald Trump were to recapture the White House for the Republican Party. The agenda includes strategies to erode policies that have supported economic opportunities for Black Americans and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that have emerged since the murder of George Floyd. The plan covers various areas, including education, health care, abortion, LGBTQ issues, civil rights, and climate. Notably, the rollbacks proposed by Project 2025 would disproportionately harm Black Americans, reinforcing the belief that the conservative movement is invested in "normalizing white supremacy." 😡

The article highlights some key elements of the plan, including its impact on education, health care, LGBTQ rights, and voting rights. It also provides a recap of President Trump's presidency and his approach to issues affecting Black Americans. 😮

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Donald Payne Jr. passes away, leaving a void in Congress

New Jersey Democratic Representative Donald Payne Jr. has passed away at the age of 64. 😢 Speaker Mike Johnson announced the news, expressing sadness over the loss. Payne had been hospitalized earlier in the month after suffering from complications related to his diabetes. 🏥 He had served in Congress since 2012, winning a special election to succeed his father, who was the first Black congressman from New Jersey. Payne was known for his involvement with health-related caucuses and his work on introducing legislation. 👨‍⚕️ He served on various congressional committees and was the ranking member of a subcommittee for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. With Payne's passing, Democrats will have 212 members in the House, giving Speaker Johnson a narrow two-vote margin on party-line votes. 🏛️💙🔴