Utah's Minority GOP Candidates Break the Mold, Stand Firm on Their Conservative Beliefs

A growing number of minority candidates in Utah are running as Republicans despite conventional political wisdom that suggests minority communities lean left. These conservative minority candidates, including Latinos Ignacio Valdez and Rod Hall and biracial candidate Cari Bartholomew, argue that the Republican Party aligns with their beliefs and values. They believe that conservative principles of self-reliance and educational choice can resonate among Black and other minority communities. While some of these candidates have faced backlash from their communities, they remain steadfast in their political affiliations. They argue that the Republican Party represents law and order, entrepreneurship, and prosperity, which are values that are important to many minority communities. The rise of conservative minority candidates in Utah demonstrates a shifting political landscape and challenges traditional assumptions about minority voter preferences.

Breaking Barriers: Angela Alsobrooks Aims to Become Maryland's First Black Senator

In a historic campaign for the Senate, Angela Alsobrooks aims to become Maryland's first Black senator and the second woman to represent the state. Alsobrooks, a Democrat, has already shattered barriers by becoming the first Black woman to hold the role of executive of Prince George's County in 2018. She emphasizes the importance of racial and gender representation in government, particularly regarding issues such as abortion rights. Her opponent, Representative David Trone, has spent over $55 million of his own money on the race, making it Maryland's most expensive Senate primary ever. Alsobrooks has garnered support from many members of Maryland's congressional delegation and other prominent Black women. She will face former Republican governor Larry Hogan in the general election.

BAACWHI: Empowering San Francisco's Black/African American Communities for Health and Wellness

The Black/African American Community Wellness and Health Initiative (BAACWHI) in San Francisco aims to create healthier and thriving Black/African American communities. They offer a range of inclusive and free services and activities provided by community-based organizations. Some highlights include:

• Bayview YMCA African American Holistic Wellness Program: Provides individual counseling, support groups, educational workshops, cultural events, and movement classes.
• Booker T Washington Community Service Center: Offers educational, recreational, housing, vocational training, foster care advocacy, and senior support.
• Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness: Works to eliminate health inequities in marginalized communities through education, advocacy, and holistic health services.

The initiative also provides resources such as the 2018 Black/African American Report, which highlights data and interventions for addressing health disparities, and the San Francisco Community Health Needs Assessment 2022, which identifies priority issues affecting health in the city. Additionally, the BAACWHI collaborates with organizations like UCSF Black Health Initiative and focuses on health equity in the Bayview Hunters Point Community. Overall, the BAACWHI is dedicated to improving the well-being of the Black/African American community in San Francisco.

Senate Considers Honoring Black Wall Street: Could This Be a Turning Point for Justice?

The Senate is considering a bipartisan bill to grant national monument status to Greenwood, Oklahoma, also known as "Black Wall Street," after it was burned to ashes in a race massacre in 1921. The bill, introduced by Sens. Cory Booker and James Lankford, has gained bipartisan support and descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre met with lawmakers to advocate for the monument status. The national monument designation is hoped to help revitalize the area after the devastating event. There are two remaining survivors of the massacre, Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle. In 2021, they testified in front of the Senate about their experiences and called for reparations and acknowledgment. The Historic Greenwood District Black Wall Street National Monument Coalition has urged Congress to act quickly on the effort.

Black Voters Hold the Key to Democrats' Success in the White House

In this article, Adrienne Jones discusses the importance of black voters to the Democratic Party and their role in keeping the White House. Here are some highlights from the article:

• Black voters played a crucial role in Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, particularly in states like Georgia where his margin of victory was slim.
• However, there are concerns that support from black voters, especially men and those without college degrees, may be wavering.
• Recent laws, such as Georgia's Senate Bill 2020, have been criticized for suppressing the black vote and may impact voter turnout in future elections.
• Some students and faculty at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), like Morehouse College, have protested President Biden's planned visit due to disagreements with his policies.
• Jones suggests that instead of revoking invitations, students should engage in high-profile discussions with the administration to advocate for changes in policies affecting black and brown communities.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of black voters and the need for continued engagement and dialogue to address their concerns and ensure their support for the Democratic Party.

The Southern Truth: How Communism Shaped the Struggle for Freedom in the South

In an article published in the Black Agenda Report, Tea Troutman and Sherronda J. Brown discuss the recent push by southern states, led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, to teach students about "the evils and dangers" of communism. They argue that this is not about favoring communism over other subjects, but rather a tool of indoctrination and a strategy to quell movements for freedom, justice, and equality. Understanding the history of (anti-)communism in the American South reveals how it has been used by the white supremacist governance structure to impede social justice movements. The article highlights the interconnectedness of the political histories of the South's freedom struggles with communism. It also brings attention to the oppressive legislation and social policies advanced by southern states, including book bans, censorship, repression of protests, and reproductive unfreedom. The authors argue that studying the truths about communism also means studying the ugliest parts of Southern history. Ultimately, they assert that there is no Southern culture of resistance without communist politics and struggle.

Angela Alsobrooks Makes History in Maryland Primary, Set to Take on Larry Hogan in Senate Race

Angela D. Alsobrooks, the projected winner of Maryland's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, is set to face popular former governor Larry Hogan (R) in November. Alsobrooks, who overcame low statewide name recognition and a well-funded opponent, is expected to help determine the balance of power in the chamber. If she wins the general election, she will become the first Black person to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and the fourth Black woman to join the chamber. Here are some highlights from the article:

• Alsobrooks, 53, was the first Black woman to be elected county state's attorney and later county executive.
• She captured 54 percent of the vote in the primary.
• Alsobrooks was born and raised in Prince George's County.
• She is expected to be a strong contender against Hogan.
• Alsobrooks has the potential to make history if elected.

Black Women Are Breaking Barriers and Shaking Up the GOP Party

A group of Black women representing the Republican Party were featured on a new podcast series called The Switch Up to discuss their experiences in a space dominated by white men. Kimberly Klacik and Roxy Ndebumadu, two of the podcast guests, shared their journeys into politics and their hopes of bringing diversity and change to the Republican Party. Ndebumadu, who was elected as the youngest and first African-American woman to serve as Bowie District 4 Councilmember in Maryland, explained that she was inspired to run for office by her mentor's suggestion. Klacik, a conservative radio talk show host, announced her second campaign for Congress in February 2024. While most Black women in politics align with Democratic values, Ndebumadu believes that her family values align with the Republican party, but acknowledges the need for actions to back up the party's words in order to gain trust from the Black community.

Trump Tops Biden: New Poll Shows He Would Win US Election Today

According to a recent poll by the New York Times-Siena, if the US election were held today, Donald Trump would win against President Joe Biden. Trump is leading in key swing states that played a decisive role in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Highlights from the article include:

• Trump leads Biden in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia.
• Biden is losing support from young voters, black men, and Hispanic voters.
• Eighty percent of voters believe Biden is too old to serve a second term.
• The top issues affecting the election are inflation and immigration, which are seen as favorable for Trump.
• Trump's sensational trial in Manhattan and his extreme behavior have not affected his support.
• The upcoming inflection points in the election are the verdict of Trump's trial and potential foreign policy crises for Biden.
• Trump's advantage may be his claim of keeping the US out of war during his presidency.

Overall, this poll indicates that if the US election were held today, Trump would come out as the winner.

Breaking the Mold: GOP Rep. Aims to Win Black Voters with Cognac and Cigars

In an effort to reach out to Black voters, particularly Black men, Texas Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt is spearheading an initiative called "Congress, Cognac, and Cigars." The series of events will invite Black men living in minority-majority cities in swing states to hear how Republicans will address issues that matter to all Americans. This comes as recent polls show a decline in support for President Biden among minority voters, with Trump leading in five of the six key battleground states. Hunt believes that the Republican Party needs to "fish where the fish are" and engage with the Black community directly. He argues that Trump's popularity with Black men, which reached 18.2% in 2020, demonstrates the potential for the GOP to win over this traditionally Democratic constituency. Hunt and other Republicans hope that expanding the party's reach and engaging with communities traditionally overlooked by the GOP will allow them to make inroads with Black voters.

Alsobrooks and Hogan Win Maryland Senate Primaries: What It Means for the November Election

The Associated Press has declared Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican former Governor Larry Hogan the winners in their respective primaries for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. Here are some highlights from the AP's race calls:
• Alsobrooks would be the first Black U.S. senator in Maryland's history if she wins in November.
• In the Democratic primary, Alsobrooks was leading U.S. Rep. David Trone by almost 9 percentage points when the AP called the race. She had a big statewide lead over Trone in votes cast on primary day and a narrow lead among votes cast by mail or in person before primary day.
• In the Republican primary, Hogan led former state Rep. Robin Ficker by about 67% to 25% when the AP declared him the winner. Hogan more than doubled Ficker's performance in central and western Maryland, as well as on the Eastern Shore.

Still Elusive After 70 Years: Unresolved Questions Surrounding Brown v. Board of Education

The article reflects on the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ordered the desegregation of American schools. It argues that while the decision was a triumph in its time, many of the legal and policy questions it raised remain unresolved today.

Some of the issues raised include the extent to which school districts can consider students' race in order to create diverse schools and classrooms, and whether practices such as voluntary affinity groups for Black students violate federal law. The article notes that the Supreme Court has never provided clear guidance on why segregation violates the Constitution or what schools must do to comply with the Brown decision.

The article also explores the different interpretations of Brown, such as the colorblind/limited intervention approach that prohibits the use of racial classifications and the racial isolation/equal opportunity approach that seeks to eliminate racial isolation and provide equal educational opportunity.

Overall, the article argues that the best way to honor Brown is to focus on concrete steps that have been shown to improve the quality of education for minority students, rather than engaging in ideological debates about the true meaning of the decision.