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Pastors see black men cautious about talking about abortion policy

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Phoenix pastor the Rev. Warren H. Stewart Sr. has had countless discussions this election season with other black men about the economy, criminal justice, immigration and other issues dominating the political scene of their key swing state of Arizona. But never abortion.

“They’re about justice. They’re about Donald Trump potentially reversing all the gains of the civil rights movement. They’re not about abortion,” Stewart said.

That’s in stark contrast to what was said throughout the campaign, when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris courted voters who supported abortion rights, while Trump and his surrogates courted voters who opposed abortion.

While black men have traditionally supported Democrats, one dominant narrative is that they will not be enthusiastic about Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee. They make up nearly 7% of the electorate, in line with a Pew Research Center evaluation, and this yr, a number of thousand votes in Arizona, Pennsylvania and other swing states could determine the race.

Democratic U.S. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina stays concerned that Trump’s hypermasculine campaign style is driving black male voters who feel underrepresented in mainstream politics away from the Democratic Party. Clyburn is attempting to counter that trend.

President Joe Biden (R) and Pastor Dr. J. Louis Felton pray during a church service at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

After his dismal debate performance fueled concerns about his age, Biden, 81, has also been attempting to shore up his loyal base, appearing recently on the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia and elsewhere across the state to dispel lingering questions and rumors.

“I have never been more optimistic about the future of America, quite frankly, if we stick together,” Biden said, addressing the gang in a brief speech that mentioned Harris but didn’t mention abortion rights.

Among black clergy, few are higher placed to evaluate Biden’s character and suitability than Bishop Reginald T. Jackson.

Jackson, 70, the 132nd bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was a key organizer of Biden’s first U.S. Senate campaign in 1972. He first saw the candidate’s shortcomings up close as a student at Delaware State University.

“All this stuttering? It’s nothing new,” Jackson said from his home in Atlanta.

Jackson said Biden’s recent mishaps throughout the debate and subsequent news conferences shouldn’t deter him from boasting about his support for historically black colleges and his administration’s support for minority-owned small businesses.

“It’s almost as if the president’s accomplishments are treated as some kind of state secret,” Jackson said.

When it involves abortion, Jackson believes the federal government shouldn’t interfere in a choice that’s best left to the girl and her doctor, and says he’s pleased with the way in which the Biden campaign is handling the problem.

For the past half-century, abortion has remained a contentious issue in black Protestant churches, fraught with questions of sexuality and gender that their Christian community has historically grappled with.

In interviews, black church leaders have acknowledged that the church has not all the time been adept at talking about human sexuality, a trait they share with their mainline Protestant counterparts. In “Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics,” creator R. Marie Griffith, a professor of humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, argues that caution about discussing sex — and opposing their deeply held views on women’s sexuality specifically — lies at the foundation of lots of essentially the most divisive political issues.

One black pastor, Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, has been outspoken about his support for abortion access, especially during his 2022 re-election campaign.

But Warren Stewart, who leads First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix, wishes Biden and Harris hadn’t talked a lot about abortion, whilst he dismissed the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe as a “political gift.” He believes abortion must be legal only in cases where the lifetime of the person giving birth is in peril.

Others disagree. Pastor Leslie D. Callahan, the primary woman to pastor a church in Philadelphia historical St. Paul Baptist Church said all men, no matter race, must determine what bodily functions they would really like the federal government to regulate. Black women have highest maternal mortality rate within the USA, in line with 2022 CDC Report.

“If you didn’t have bodily autonomy, what freedom would you have?” she asked.

She stressed that Biden, who supports protecting access to abortion, is just not being called upon to resign from the presidency, only to resign from the campaign.

“If he’s fit to govern, I don’t see why he’s not fit to run,” Callahan said. “If you’re going to examine Biden, examine his presidency and his policies. If you’re going to examine fitness, there has to be a consistent and equal examination of the fitness of his opponent.”

A row of voting machines with American flags and the words "Vote" written on them
(Adobe Stock Images)

As Trump tries to court black voters, about 7 in 10 black adults still have an overall unfavorable view of him, in line with an AP evaluation of two consecutive polls conducted in June by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But that number has fallen by 20 percentage points for the reason that start of 2021.

While Trump campaign officials have said black men could also be more receptive to his message, black men and girls feel similarly about him.

Black men’s view of Biden isn’t overwhelmingly positive either. An evaluation of the poll found that about half of black men have a somewhat or very positive view of Biden — in comparison with about 7 in 10 black women — and about 4 in 10 black men view the president negatively.

Pastor Otis Moss Jr., retired pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, certainly one of the biggest and most distinguished black churches in Ohio, is anxious about Trump’s position, saying the previous president is anxious about protecting life before birth but not after.

“The human rights of women, of women, should not be violated by someone else’s political ideology,” Moss said.

Vice President Harris, a member of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, addressed her religious beliefs during her March visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota, the primary by a sitting president or vp.

“You don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government shouldn’t tell women what to do with their bodies,” Harris said.

“She will consult her priest, pastor, rabbi, imam if she wants to. But does the government have the right to tell her what she can and cannot do with her body?”

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Individual pastoral care is more appropriate than government policy to assist women and families make difficult and complex medical decisions, including abortion, Callahan said. Many times, she said, persons are deciding between two difficult alternatives—neither is perfect.

“The last thing that needs to be considered in your decision is whether you can find a doctor who is willing to take any risks to help you achieve physical, mental and emotional health,” she said.

This election season, Planned Parenthood’s advocacy and political organizations are working to interact, educate and mobilize black men, in addition to other demographic groups. Lead organizer Jamesa Bailey, director of black campaigns at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said their internal data suggests that after they learn about the stakes within the presidential election on abortion, they’re 3 times more prone to educate one other voter — and so they usually tend to plan to vote.

Combining the problem of protected and legal access to abortion — African Americans are greater than twice as prone to die during childbirth, and it has been well documented that tests says states with essentially the most restrictive abortion barriers have the best maternal mortality rates for black women — Black America’s Maternal Health Crisis has proven to be “very strong,” Bailey said, adding that could be why she has seen a “significant increase” in support from clergy and faith groups across the country.

By introducing themselves as religious leaders of their communities in nearly two dozen states, she said, they sought to make a daring latest statement as a community through their presence: that their faith in God doesn’t conflict with their belief in a girl’s right to decide on.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Politics and Current

Biden will meet with Trump over a White House tradition that Trump broke four years ago

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Joe Biden, Donald Trump, theGrio.com

President-elect Donald Trump, the forty seventh latest president of the United States of America, will meet with President Joe Biden within the Oval Office on Wednesday as a part of the tradition of a peaceful transition of power on the White House.

The peaceful transfer of power dates back to 1801, when the president of the outgoing administration transferred power to the brand new administration and the opposing political party. At that time, the nation’s second president, John Adams, peacefully handed over the presidency to Thomas Jefferson.

But on Wednesday morning, President Biden will offer Trump something he couldn’t afford after being elected in 2020: a meeting with the present president within the White House Oval Office.

This 12 months, then-President Trump falsely accused Democrats of stealing the presidential election from him so as to install former Vice President Biden because the forty sixth president of the United States.

Trump’s vice chairman, Mike Pence, selected to follow the Constitution and certify the outcomes of the 2020 election, declaring Biden the winner of the Electoral College – against Trump’s wishes. As a results of President Trump’s election lies, which included encouraging his voters to “fight like hell” or “they won’t have a country anymore,” a mob of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol constructing after attending Trump’s “Stop the Steal” conference. ” so January 6, 2021

For Trump, the tradition of outgoing and incoming presidents is ironic because, as president-elect, he needed to face then-President Barack Obama during his meeting within the Oval Office to rejoice the approaching peaceful transition. The meeting got here after Trump fiercely attacked Obama and his Democratic presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton, in 2016.

Trump and Obama met within the Oval Office on November 16, 2018. The two politicians had never met in person before, which was very true after the rancorous and racist presidential campaign.

To the dismay of Black Americans and Democrats, Trump softly launched his presidential bid based on the racist claim that Obama was not a U.S. citizen. In this fashion, based on critics, Trump desired to delegitimize Obama’s historic victory within the 2008 presidential election.

During the planned and expected meeting, Obama was then described as “presidential” and “professional,” putting aside his hatred of the campaign and meeting with Trump for about 90 minutes, well longer than the scheduled time. The discussion on the agenda included various topics intended to assist the brand new president achieve a peaceful transfer of power.

While President Biden is extending presidential courtesy to Trump’s latest but familiar White House transition team, sources say there may be bad blood there. Once again through the 2024 election cycle, Trump used racist and slander tactics against his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 10: US President Barack Obama (right) shakes hands with President-elect Donald Trump (left) after a meeting within the Oval Office on November 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. Trump is scheduled to meet with members of the Republican Party’s congressional leadership on Capitol Hill this evening. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

During his first appearance on the Oval with President Obama, next to whom a bronze bust of Martin Luther King Jr. stands on the best side of the hearth, Trump told the press within the room: “It was a meeting that was supposed to last maybe 10 or 15 minutes and we were just getting to know each other.” “.

The New York native continued: “We have never met. That’s why I have great respect for it.”

“The meeting lasted almost an hour and a half, and for my part it could have lasted for much longer. We really discussed a lot of various situations,” Trump said on the time.

Trump, clearly impressed and in need of help dealing with his latest job within the White House – which former first lady Michelle Obama famously described as a “dark job” when prodding him at this 12 months’s DNC conference – told reporters: “I’m looking forward to being with the president in the long run, including with an advisor.”

As Democrats and others attempt to shake off the collective depression attributable to Harris’ stunning loss to Trump, many are looking forward to what to anticipate from a second Trump administration.

Trump's victory creates uncertainty for borrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness

In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won the favored vote and the Electoral College – the primary Republican to achieve this since 2004. Trump received barely more electoral votes than within the last election, giving him a bonus. But the primary obstacle for Democrats was voter turnout, as apathy among the many party appeared to rear its head.

Regardless of the end result, Johnson offered hope to the country, stating: “We have to keep pushing and hoping.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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A Washington police officer who shot a black man with his hands in the air over a stop sign, then dragged his body and slammed it into the ground, remains on the force despite an $8 million payout to his family

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The city of Lakewood, Washington, has reached an agreement with the family of a 26-year-old black man who was shot thrice by an officer who claimed he was acting in self-defense.

He said Joquin died on May 1, 2020, after Officer Michael Wiley stopped him for running a stop sign. The $8 million settlement announced last week is coming to an end federal civil rights lawsuit Joquin’s parents filed a criticism against the officer, who claimed their son had lunged for a gun lying on the floor of his vehicle.

According to the lawsuit, Wiley approached Joquin’s automobile with a gun drawn and told him, “Shut up or you’ll get shot.” The lawsuit states that Joquin, as Wiley requested, had his hands up when he was shot. After the shooting, Wiley allegedly pulled Joquin out of the automobile and “threw him to the ground.”

The police killing of Said Joquin led to protests in Lakewood, Washington. (Photos: YouTube screenshot/KING 5 Seattle)

Wiley was involved in one other expensive suit v. Lakewood in 2017. He was one in every of three officers found by a jury answerable for the death of one other young black man, Leonard Thomas, for a record $15.1 million. A post-trial settlement was reached in exchange for $13 million and a promise not to appeal.

Thomas was holding his 4-year-old son when he was shot in the stomach by a Lakewood SWAT sniper. Wiley reportedly announced “Jackpot!” Testimony shows he spoke on the police radio after Thomas was shot and later praised his colleague for taking the “million-dollar f–king shot,” according to trial testimony. Thomas bled to death, begging cops not to take his boy.

Evidence from Thomas’ trial “revealed that Wiley was an exceptionally aggressive officer who had an insufficient understanding of the use of force, was willing to use weapons, explosives and unnecessary force, and who demonstrated a striking lack of concern for life,” Joquin filed the family’s lawsuit.

Wiley remains in service. Joquin’s lawsuit alleged that Lakewood police were “unreasonable and reckless” in continuing to employ him regardless that a jury in Thomas found that he had violated the victim’s civil rights.

A previous attempt to dismiss Joquin’s lawsuit was blocked by the US District Judge David Estudillo. Wiley, the judge wrote in his August order, had a “documented history of using force against people he helped detain.”

He said there was enough evidence for the jury to find that “Joquin did not engage in furtive or threatening behavior during the encounter.”

Dawn Kortner, Joquin’s mother, he said in a 2021 interview, she never believed Wiley’s account.

“I feel like it’s overkill,” Kortner said. “He took steps he shouldn’t have taken. I believe he was too aggressive and I would like him to be held accountable for what he did. He shouldn’t receive a pension and sit at home and enjoy his children when we will not enjoy Said.

Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office Attorney Mary Robnett declined to press charges against Wiley for Joquin’s death.

In a letter to Lakewood Police Chief Mike Zaro, Robnett cited Joquin’s “unpredictable and dangerous behavior” in running a stop sign in front of police on a busy road. She also concluded that bullet trajectory evidence showed that Joquin didn’t raise his hands when Wiley shot him.

Wiley was also cleared for internal examination.

In a statement, Lakewood officials said: “Any life cut short is a tragedy and we can only imagine the suffering and pain they experience. The decision to reach an agreement was made with the best outcome for all parties involved in mind.”

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Without Kamala Harris in the White House, Democrats are turning to Hakeem Jeffries

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As Democrats proceed to lick their wounds following Kamala Harris’ stunning defeat to President-elect Donald Trump, all eyes are on Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), whose party in Congress has little likelihood of regaining the majority in the House of Representatives.

If Democrats manage to win the House, it’s going to give the party its only hope of slowing Trump’s agenda. Jeffries, a 54-year-old congressman from Brooklyn, New York, also became Speaker of the House, making history as the first African American to hold the position, just two steps of separation in the line of presidential succession.

As Donald Trump begins to appoint members of his second administration’s Cabinet to be tasked with implementing his agenda – which incorporates proposed mass deportations, the elimination of racial equity programs and big cuts in federal spending – Democrats’ ability to play defense will probably be crucial to mitigating this. , which they see as potentially critical blows to vulnerable communities.

Democrats view Jeffries, the current House minority leader, as a key leader of the party, especially if his caucus can gain a majority. This would involve the commission’s control – which incorporates significant subpoena power – and shaping the federal budget. At the very least, it might enable Democrats to force Republicans to make concessions where possible.

As a six-term congressman known for sticking to his word, Jeffries is a respected and admired politician in the Democratic Party.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 21: U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) departs after speaking on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Payne said Jeffries, who represents a “generational turn” in the party, “has shown that he is a truly gifted communicator and communicator.” He added: “He has some different skill sets that other Democrats may not be able to. And I think that’s something that Democrats will really benefit from.

Payne continued if elected Speaker of the House, “(Jeffries) will become the most important Democrat in the country with any power. She is essentially taking over the mantle that Nancy Pelosi took on when she was re-elevated to speaker during Trump’s first presidency.”

But Payne cautioned that even when Democrats manage to amass a razor-thin majority in the House, it’s going to still be an uphill battle.

He noted that the caucus will include many Democrats “from districts where Donald Trump is popular.” “You still have to hold together a club that will come under cross-pressure from Donald Trump, who is more popular than he was four and eight years ago.”

At this point, Plaskett noted that Democrats would want to take a leaf out of her book as a member of Congress representing a U.S. territory.

“I have limited voting rights, so I understand what it means to punch above your weight,” said Plaskett, who said that being a political minority in Congress requires “cooperating with members of the Democratic caucus, as well as the Republican caucus when it is advantageous to do so for the interests of (our) voters.”

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Democrats also see an incredible opportunity to strengthen Black political power in Washington with the elevation of Hakeem Jeffries.

“Him coming out as a black man from Brooklyn and being a major foil for Donald Trump — I think that’s important at a time like this,” Payne said.

But Congressman Clyburn cautions that Jeffries must overcome a few of the challenges Harris faced as the first woman and first person of color to function vice chairman.

“It’s a big burden that needs a lot of help to carry,” said the lawmaker who served as House majority whip and deputy Democratic leader.

“Kamala Harris suffered for this reason. I took it upon myself to check many individuals who kept telling me that she wasn’t this and he or she wasn’t that, she didn’t do that and he or she didn’t try this,” he recalled. “I’d ask them what number of women have been vice presidents before? She took office two months before you criticized her conduct.

As the first speaker of the Black House, Clyburn had doubts that Jeffries could be “allowed to get his sea legs… to master this job from day one.”

Seawright, the Democratic strategist, said Jeffries won’t only be speaker of the House but additionally leader of the entire national party, which he believes must “rebound, learn and grow as the next election cycles approach” in 2025 and 2026. The role Jeffries will play will probably be crucial “whether we win a majority or not.”

After the devastating defeat in the 2024 election, Seawright said Jeffries and other Democratic Party leaders need to rethink their message to voters.


Headshot by Gerren Keith Gaynor

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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