Whew. Black folks (especially Black women) are mad at the outcome of last week's presidential election and rightfully so. It's time we turn that anger into action and we don't need to depend on anyone, but ourselves.
Where Do We Begin?
A lot of people, particularly in our community, are feeling helpless after Donald Trump’s resounding defeat of Kamala Harris in last Tuesday’s election. Black women and men voted for Harris in overwhelming numbers, but many others who experience some form of oppression, discrimination, or inequality in this country voted in the other direction (hey white women and Latino men).
In our opinion, the solution to the disappointment or despair that many Black folks are feeling is—and has always been—to look inward. The truth is…Kamala Harris, though worlds better than Donald Trump, was never going to save us. Harris, no doubt a historic candidate, largely would have maintained the status quo and it has never been clearer that we need more than that.
From the teachings of Martin and Malcolm, the community-building programs established by the Black Panther Party, and a wealth of knowledge available at our fingertips in the digital age, we already have the framework and the tools we need to push forward.
So. Once we’re done feeling the feels, it’s time to gather our networks, shine a light on each other’s strengths, and make sure that we can survive no matter what.
Election Day Leftovers
It seems pretty likely that the House will maintain its GOP majority, but there are still some races that have not yet been called.
White women for Harris are so embarrassed by their right-leaning sisters that they decided to take the most insignificant action by wearing blue friendship bracelets to show what side they’re on. Surely there was a less performative path that they could have gone down, but are any of us surprised?
Come January, there will be 2 Black women in the Senate for the first time in history: Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
California had a number of progressive measures on their ballot, all of which were rejected by the state’s “liberal” electorate. Golden state voters declined to ban slavery in state prisons, maintain criminal justice reforms that had been on the books for 10 years, and to make it easier for cities to establish rent control.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
“You can’t love your country only when you win,” Joe says to Democrats upset over Trump’s victory.
Will Biden step down and allow VP Harris to become the 47th POTUS? A former aide thinks he should.
Now officially in the lame duck season (the time between Election Day and when the new administration takes office), Joe Biden could go full throttle with holding Israel accountable and giving more aid to Ukraine. It’s unlikely, but some people would like to see him swing big before going home.
46’s immigration program which sought to grant legal status to undocumented spouses of US citizens has been struck down by a federal judge. According to the Trump-appointed judge, Biden does not have the authority to implement such a plan. The White House says it is figuring out how to move forward from here.
Congress, What’s Good
Congress is back on the Hill this week and there are a few things that need to be addressed during the lame duck session: avoiding a government shutdown on December 20, allocating more funding to help rebuild after recent natural disasters, and extending or passing a new Farm Bill, which includes the food stamp program.
On the partisan tip: the Democratic majority in the Senate hopes to accelerate judicial confirmations between now and January, aiming to confirm just as many or more judges than Trump did in his first term. On the other side of the aisle, the GOP is preparing to run Capitol Hill for the next 2 years (we still got midterms, y’all).
On the agenda in this week’s committee meetings:
Establishing earlier processing of FAFSA applications
Preparing for the next pandemic
Social Justice Round Up
The racists were just lying in wait to harass Black folks after their clown & savior won. Some people have reported receiving text messages about them being back on plantations and picking cotton.
A former police officer in Ohio was convicted of murder last week for the murder of Andre Hill, an unarmed Black man in 2020. Facing life in prison, the officer will be sentenced on November 25. While this and the recent ruling against the cop involved in Breonna Taylor’s murder both offer hope, the reelection of Trump and his promise to grant cops immunity makes us question whether these types of convictions will be overturned and if prosecuting officers will become harder than it already is.
DuPont, a chemical manufacturer, was fined $480K for a leak of a hazardous chemical used to make bullet proof vests in Reserve, Louisiana, a predominantly Black community that also happens to be located in Cancer Alley. We’re glad the EPA is doing its job (while it still can), but we really want to know where the money is going if it’s not going towards the healthcare costs of the local residents who already have a high risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
What the Health
With Trump on the way back, millions are at risk of losing the Obamacare subsidies that currently make health insurance more affordable. Medicare may also be privatized and the FDA & CDC are expected to go through wide changes that are concerning to public health officials.
Feeling overwhelmed by it all? Check out 5 good reasons to unplug from social media and the news right now.
Around the Diaspora
Leaders around the Continent question what a Trump victory means for their relations with the United States.
At least there’s one country trying to be on the right side of history when it comes to supporting Palestinians. Belize has publicly condemned Israel for its decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within Palestinian territories. UNRWA has provided humanitarian aid to Palestinians since 1949.
The government of the Cayman Islands has decided to give public sector employees $2K bonuses for Christmas.
Our Black Jobs & Our Black Money
Are you a content creator? Check out these recommendations for how to keep more of your money in your pocket at tax time.
Culture that Pops
Whoopi Goldberg aims to highlight women athletes with the All Women Sports Network. The EGOT winner will launch the new channel in the US this week and has plans for it to be live in up to 65 countries.
Here’s a list of books Black folks/families should buy before they’re banned by white supremacists who don’t want the truth of who they really are to be in print.
Black Archives (who often has us all in our feels on IG) and Lego partnered together to release a new product highlighting Black roller skating culture. Check it out here.
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