Looking to 2024
The VP nominees made their way to the debate stage last week and they both did a really good job of showing what their campaigns were all about: Harris/Walz for Israel, and Trump/Vance for disinformation.
Donnie & Elon Musk put their little MAGA bromance on full display at a recent rally and that was just the start. The real billionaire (Musk) will hit the campaign trail for the fake billionaire (Trump) in the days leading up to the election.
A Haitian nonprofit is coming for Donald Trump and JD Vance over those harmful, racist, and false rumors they’ve been spreading about Haitian immigrants. While a panel of judges in Springfield, Ohio has initially found no cause for arrest, the city prosecutor’s office will also consider whether charges can be filed.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
One year into Israel’s genocide on Palestinians and all of the nonstop work the Biden administration claimed they were doing returned no ceasefire and some hostages remain in Gaza. For the $18B they’ve given Israel in military aid over the past year, where is the influence they claim to have over their ally?
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and in the face of Hurricane Milton, FEMA has warned that their well will likely run dry before hurricane season is over.
Thought the US was sitting out the fighting between Israel & Lebanon? Think again. In addition to providing funding, the US military has over 40K troops stationed in the Middle East ready to fight Israel’s enemies in Lebanon, Iran, Yemen & elsewhere.
Congress, What’s Good
Congress’ least favorite group project—funding the government—rolled around a few weeks ago and they actually did better than they’ve done in the past. What do we mean by that? They got a short-term deal done 5 days before the deadline rather than 5 hours before. Guess nobody wanted to play around with Election Day being 27 days away.
After feeling satisfied that the bare minimum was accomplished again, everyone went back home to campaign for themselves and/or their colleagues before voters hit the polls. It doesn’t matter that this is a busy hurricane season, that FEMA warned they’re low on funds, or that the stopgap bill didn’t include as much funding as FEMA requested. House Speaker Mike Johnson thinks grinning the people’s faces for their votes is more important than calling Congress back to the Hill to ensure FEMA has funding to help those of us who’ll need it.
Our elected officials…gotta love ‘em.
Social Justice Round Up
A chemical plant specializing in pool and spa water care in Conyers, Georgia caught fire and required residents to shelter in place for roughly a week. The Atlanta suburb that’s about 70% Black has experienced 3 fires from this very same lab over the last 20 years. Something ain’t right.
California said if affirmative action is out, so is paying a couple mill to get little Timmy who failed home room into college. A recent law will make the Golden State the 5th nationwide to ban legacy admissions at private universities starting in 2025. Public schools are exempt from this law because the practice was already prohibited on those campuses.
3 of the 5 police officers involved in Tyre Nichols’ 2023 death have been found guilty of witness tampering and face up to 20 years in prison. While sentencing for this specific conviction will take place in January, all 5 Memphis PD officers will face second-degree murder charges in connection to Tyre’s murder at a future, undetermined date.
What the Health
Communities rebuilding after Hurricane Helene must also grapple with the risks associated with contaminated water and mold. Eager to help? Here are some organizations currently accepting donations to aid in their relief efforts.
Here goes the government getting in people’s uteruses again:
The SCOTUS declined to hear an appeal from the Biden administration, which sought to require Texas hospitals to perform emergency abortions as a lifesaving tactic for mothers. While Texas’ near-total ban of abortions says it allows for emergency abortions, the parameters are unclear, leaving doctors unsure of how to proceed in such instances without subjecting themselves to legal consequences.
Georgia’s supreme court also reinstated its 6-week abortion ban. Women in the state are again barred from receiving abortions before many may even realize they’re pregnant.
Flu season is upon us, and we all know COVID outbreaks stay right around the corner. If you’re the type to be up to date with your COVID boosters and flu vaccines, here’s a guideline for getting your shots this season.
Around the Diaspora
African domestics facing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are unable to flee as many are in the country under a legal forced labor framework (yes…modern day slavery). As some Lebanese families evacuated for their safety, they instructed their domestic workers to stay in harm’s way and watch over the home. Some families have even taken their domestics’ passports to ensure they cannot leave the country. Even when people are facing death and destruction, their anti-Blackness is top priority. That’s a damn shame.
Nearly 1 in 5 children in Haiti are facing acute hunger and roughly 5M people (half of the nation’s population) are struggling to feed themselves regularly. The violence in the county has also driven up inflation. Now Haitians can expect to spend up to 70% of their income on food.
A report found that Jamaican teachers recruited to teach in the UK are paid thousands of pounds less than their British counterparts.
Our Black Jobs & Our Black Money
Trying to make sure your money is right at your current job or during salary negotiations for a new role? This tech recruiter says he knows of the perfect tool to do just that and it’s better than Google. It’s called Perplexity.ai.
Culture that Pops
Ta-Nehisi Coates is doing the good work and pissing off white liberals who refuse to acknowledge why the struggles of Black community and Palestinians have a lot in common.
HBCU homecoming season is upon us. Here are 5 things to consider as you prepare for a weekend of fellowship, culture, and vibes.
We all knew it was coming: LeBron & Bronny James have officially made history as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
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