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Caribbean Americans ‘Rally For Kamala’: Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tatyana Ali Lead Nationwide Call for Support for Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign – Essence

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 25: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on the 88th National Convention of the American Federation of Teachers on July 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The American Federation of Teachers is the primary union to endorse Harris for president since her campaign was announced. (Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

In a robust show of unity, a whole bunch of Caribbean Americans, including Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali, a Jamaican-American congresswoman Yvette Clarkeand congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett U.S. Virgin Islands, rallied to support Kamala Harris for president.

Harris for President Virtual Event: Caribbean Americans National call” held in August, united people across the United States and the Caribbean, demonstrating the Caribbean diaspora’s deep influence and growing political influence within the upcoming elections. It marked the start of a bigger effort called “Rally for Kamala”Caribbean-American campaign to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the following President of the United States. The campaign also works to extend voter registration, education and protection.

“We are here tonight to recognize our collective strength and unwavering support for Kamala Harris,” said Marlon Hill, a Miami attorney who helped organize the community call together with other members of the Caribbean-American Collective, including Karen Andre, Kyra Stephenson-Valley and Shurland Oliver.

“This rally is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Caribbean-American community and our commitment to ensuring our voices are heard and our votes matter in this crucial election,” he added.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2019 American Community Survey The vibrant Caribbean community within the United States is made up of greater than 8.5 million individuals who were born within the Caribbean or have ancestors within the region. Despite their significant presence, the Caribbean diaspora often stays an neglected voting bloc. Yet their contributions each within the U.S. and of their homelands are undeniable, and their voices are increasingly being heard on the political stage, advocating for greater recognition and influence.

The event began with a passionate speech by Ralph, a proud Jamaican-American, who called on the Caribbean community to make their voices heard. “We, too, stand up and fight for social justice. Our unique heritage and vibrant spirits embody the diversity that strengthens our nation,” Ralph declared. She highlighted the joy and hope ignited by Kamala Harris, stating, “No one could have imagined the fire of hope that this Caribbean American, Kamala Harris, has ignited in all of us.”

Ralph urged everyone to register to vote and engage their communities within the electoral process. “Talk to everyone because right now we have a great opportunity to shape the future of this country,” she said. She emphasized the importance of supporting a frontrunner who understands the worth of diversity, equity and inclusion. “Together we can create a future where every voice is heard, every community is empowered and every dream is within reach.” Ralph concluded with a famous Jamaican proverb: “We are small, but we are tallawah. (That means we may be small, but we are strong, powerful and we can do anything.) Let’s make Kamala Harris our president. Yes, man, we need some rice and peas in the White House.”

In a candid and compelling speech, Ali proudly shared her heritage and expressed her unwavering support for Vice President Harris. Ali, who’s of Afro-Panamanian and Indo-Trinidadian descent, emphasized the importance of her heritage and the unity of Caribbean Americans in this important election.

“I’m a proud Black and Indian Caribbean American. My mother is Afro-Panamanian with roots in St. Vincent and Barbados, and my father is Indo-Trinidadian-American. She emphasized the importance of constructing coalitions and substance over division, aligning her values ​​with Harris.

She praised Harris’ commitment to reproductive rights and advocacy for black maternal health, noting her role as an original co-sponsor The Momnibus Act“This stack of legislation must be passed to save lives, especially those of Black women, Native American women and women living in rural areas. In the White House, she expanded Medicaid coverage to include the postpartum period and created new safety standards for hospital labor rooms.”

As a mother of two young black boys, Ali expressed her desire for a greater future for all children. She highlighted Harris’ work on gun reform, climate change laws and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. “Kamala Harris is taking action. She has been the tiebreaker 33 times, more than any vice president in the last 200 years,” she noted.

Politicians also took to the virtual stage to rally support for Vice President Harris. Rep. Clarke, who’s of Jamaican descent, spoke passionately in regards to the have to unite Caribbean Americans, emphasizing the importance of a decisive victory, calling on the community to get deeply involved and providing Harris with the financial resources to succeed in every eligible voter.

Congresswoman Clarke highlighted the numerous contributions of Caribbean Americans to U.S. democracy and their commitment to nurturing relationships that profit each the United States and Caribbean nations. She also highlighted Vice President Harris’ work on women’s health and her leadership in addressing critical issues resembling immigration reform and climate change.

LaNiesha Dawson, deputy political director for Harris for President, shared the campaign’s successes, including raising greater than $200 million and signing up 170,000 volunteers in 11 days. “Our coalition is made up of women, Latinos, students, progressives, seniors, Native Americans, black voters and others. This is a campaign for everyone.”

Dawson emphasized the necessity for authentic and honest outreach across the country, calling on everyone to affix the hassle. “As Vice President Harris said, now is the time. We are the underdogs in this race, but we can make sure every voice is heard with your support.”

Congresswoman Plaskett, D-U.S. Virgin Islands, called for a coordinated voter registration effort, especially during September, which is Voter Registration Month.

“We need to make sure that we are involved in ongoing voter registration and national registration. Voter registration month is in September. We need to plan all kinds of activities in our local community to find every person who is not registered and register them to vote,” she said.

Highlighting the critical role of Caribbean Americans, Plaskett highlighted the profound contributions of each American democracy and their local communities. “Caribbean Americans have been key contributors to this democracy for years, for generations, to make sure that our voices are heard and that we are doing what is in the best interest of not only the communities that we live in here in the United States, but that we are building relationships that will improve the lives of those who live in our hemisphere, and that means all of our Caribbean nations,” the congresswoman added.

Dr. Stacy Grant, The twenty sixth International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., can also be a proud Jamaican American. She has passionately urged young people to exercise their right to vote. As a frontrunner of the nonpartisan organization, she has emphasized that while they don’t tell members how or who to vote for, they strongly encourage all to take part in the democratic process and make their voices heard.

“We are very clear about what needs to be done with young voices… those who are 17 and soon to be 18, those who are 18 and older, are discouraged by the noise in the world. We need to let them know that this is not the time to sit and say, ‘No, I don’t want to be disturbed; this is already set up.’ That is a lie. We need every voice, every one to register, every one to go to the polls and every one to be educated on the issues that matter to us,” she said.

She emphasized the importance of this election, framing it as a fight for democracy, equality and access for all. “This is what this fight is about,” she declared. “It’s about our democracy; it’s about protecting the rights of all people, equality and access for all. This is not a time to sit back and watch from the sidelines. Everyone needs to be involved in moving forward, educating and mobilizing what it means to vote in this election.”

Other notable speakers included Paula Madison, a key member of Vice President Harris’ campaign finance committee since 2010; Congressman Maxwell FrostAfro-Cuban Representative from Florida’s tenth District and Member of Congress Adriano Espaillatafirst Dominican-American to serve within the U.S. House of Representatives; representing New York’s thirteenth congressional district.

The national call also served as a fundraising platform, with attendees encouraged to donate to Harris’ campaign. Organizers stressed that financial support was crucial to amplifying Harris’ message and securing victory within the upcoming election.

Ralph emphasized Vice President Harris’ profound importance to the Caribbean community all over the world, stating, “We support a leader who embodies the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and contributions that Caribbean Americans bring to our nation. Our voices, dreams, and resilience help make the United States a land of opportunity and promise for all.”

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

8 times Kamala Harris gave us beauty inspiration – the essence

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Preparing for work in an office can seem very limiting. We need to be sweet and never be considered over the top. Still, we shouldn’t surrender on our well-being simply because we’re up to this point. But for inspiration, we will turn to Kamala Harris, who seems to have all of it discovered in the beauty department. Her elegant sense of fashion, makeup and hairstyle never appear to wane. No matter how intense things get in the office, Harris will at all times be visible.

In the spirit of supporting our VP, below are our favourite office-ready looks from Harris.

No makeup Makeup

We’re used to Harris doing every part in her power to look glamorous. However, he often keeps every part to a minimum. The vice chairman’s face is nearly fresh, with some eyeliner and mascara.

Lip gloss

Who said lip gloss is just too much for the office? Harris gives us a unique perspective by rocking mocha gloss. The makeup stands out beautifully, but Harris’ smile will at all times be the better part of this makeup look.

Vintage Glam

Harris proves that she has at all times cared about her beauty. For example, her graduation look embodied ’80s chic with daring pink lipstick and blush.

Glam Pride

Harris made a loud and colourful appearance at the pride ceremony. She applied a peach blush to the tops of her cheeks, which is a rare occurrence as she often sticks to a neutral makeup palette. The updo with side-swept bangs also caught attention.

Explosion Queen

Can we take a moment to understand this explosion? Yes, beauty is all about makeup, but what brings all of it together is an incredible hairstyle. Highlights, layers and reflections are *chef’s kiss.*

Eyeliner goals

Eyeliner is at all times a key ingredient in Harris’ makeup. She often uses a skinny pencil to emphasise the shape of her eyes.

Signing in style

The vice chairman announced her run for president during the class. In addition to the all-black suit and fresh makeup, she also opted for neutral makeup with a touch of eye shadow. This is her signature makeup that might be remembered for a lifetime.

Mocha makeup

As Harris gazed out at the crowd of hundreds of Americans, she wore classic mocha makeup. The TikTok trend combines browns and neutral tones to create a balanced glow.

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

Stephen A. Smith fumes at Oprah and Michelle Obama, accusing them of making voters feel like they don’t ‘necessary’

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Stephen A. Smith Blames Oprah, Michelle Obama for Kamala Harris Loss; Did Celeb Endorsements Actually Hurt the Democrat?

Let the electoral blame game begin.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has he solid his vote within the post-election ritual of pointing to someone or something as the explanation a candidate lost, pointing to Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.

On Wednesday on his podcast “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith said the media mogul and former first lady set an exclusionary tone that turned off men (Trump’s most credible voting bloc).

Stephen A. Smith blames Oprah and Michelle Obama for the loss of Kamala Harris; Have celebrity endorsements actually hurt Democrats?
Left: Stephen A. Smith; Bottom right: Oprah Winfrey; Top right: Michelle Obama

“If we don’t agree with you, are we against you?” Smith said, referencing the media mogul and former first lady’s speeches. “What do you think the men thought about this? So we must do what you tell us; otherwise we are against you? Did you think it worked? Do you know anything about most men? Do you think this will work?”

Oprah and Michelle O. are among the many long list of celebrities who’ve endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris. She had on her side the most well-liked artists within the country (Beyonce and Taylor Swift), essentially the most famous athlete (LeBron James) and two of essentially the most famous actors (George Clooney and Harrison Ford). Stars from the past (Madonna and Bruce Springsteen) and current (Charli xcx and Lizzo) declared their support for Harris.

But together they were all fair sermon for the choirsaid Seth Abramovitch, senior author at the Hollywood Reporter.

“Oprah, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Ariana Grande – these are artists whose audiences (black, female, liberal, queer) were already willing to vote for Kamala,” he told The Guardian.

Swift, popular with each country and pop fans, appears to be an outlier, Abramovich said, but her influence was negligible amongst two demographic groups which have shifted significantly toward Trump.

Of course, the identical may be said about famous Trump supporters. Women of color, part of the demographic most proof against the previous and future commander-in-chief, weren’t about to be influenced by the likes of Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood.

Left or right, famously, they rarely, if ever, move the counter together with voters.

“In the academic literature,” said Professor Margaretha Bentley of Arizona State University, who has studied Swift’s cultural impact, “research has shown that while celebrity endorsements can increase civic engagement and voter registration, it has not been proven to have a direct impact on the way people make voting decisions.”

When Swift endorsed Harris, she directed followers to this page voting.gov. The website was visited by 405,999 people in 24 hours. However, not everyone was convinced to vote for the previous prosecutor and current vice chairman.

In fact, Swift can have hurt Harris greater than helped. A poll conducted by YouGov shortly after her endorsement found that only 8 percent of voters can be “somewhat” or “much more” more likely to vote for Harris, well below the 20 percent of respondents who said supporting Swift would make them less more likely to vote for a Democrat.

Ashley Spillane of Harvard, who writer a study titled “Celebrities Strengthen Our Culture of Democracy” found that it’s unattainable to quantify whether a celeb endorsement translates into more votes for a candidate.

This is a change from the past. A 2008 poll conducted by Northwestern University found that Oprah’s endorsement of Barack Obama added roughly a million votes to his final tally.

But that was in less divisive times.

Smith argued that it was Oprah’s message, not Oprah herself, that turned off male voters. Her warning on the eve of the election was that a second Trump term would herald an antidemocratic takeover of the United States

“This is something that alienates the electorate, alienates the voter,” Smith said. “Because the freedom you tell them you have, you’re trying to morally confiscate it by letting them know you’re worth nothing if you don’t vote the way we think you should vote.”

“Who will decide on this in the general election?” Smith asked. “In an economy full of inflation, with over 12 million people crossing the border?”

The high-power recommendations also served to substantiate Republicans’ findings that Democrats were an elite party.

“Ultimately, stars price lots of of tens of millions, if not billions, who most American residents imagine are incredibly out of touch with their lifestyle and the standard of it, weren’t going to run away and blame them for doing something different than what their experience says and what they should do with it do,” Smith said.

The people almost certainly to learn from a celeb’s endorsement are the celebrity themselves, says Laurence F. Maslon, an art professor at New York University.

“I think sometimes it’s a way of tying your star to someone who seems to be good for you, and maybe there’s some kind of reflected glory in that,” Maslon said.

British comedian Ricky Gervais probably said it best video – he posted in June wherein he ridiculed overly serious stars who imagine that their political beliefs really matter.

“As a celebrity, I know everything about science and politics, so trust me when I tell you who you should vote for,” Gervais said. “If you don’t vote the right way it will be like a hate crime and it makes me sad and angry so I will leave the country and you don’t want that.”


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

Monique Worrell, one of two Democratic prosecutors ousted by DeSantis in Florida, gets her old job back

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Monique Worrell, Florida, theGrio.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — One of two Democratic state attorneys in Florida who’re Republicans Governor Ron DeSantis removed from office in what opponents said was a political move and won him his old job back from voters.

In the Orlando area, Democrat Monique Worrell on Tuesday defeated Andrew Bain, the candidate DeSantis replaced Worrell with last 12 months and who ran without party affiliation. In the Tampa area, Andrew Warren, who was ousted by DeSantis in 2022, gave approach to Suzy Lopez, a Republican DeSantis selected to exchange a Democrat.

DeSantis said Worrell didn’t prosecute crimes committed by minors and didn’t seek mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes, putting the general public in her Central Florida district in danger. She disputed his claims as false and politically motivated.

Speaking before fans Tuesday night, Worrell dedicated the win to her father, who died unexpectedly last June. “Before he took his last breath, he told me, ‘Go back to your seat,’” she said.

“I want to thank the voters for standing with me and saying, ‘We don’t believe you, Ron DeSantis,’” Worrell said.

DeSantis removed Warren over his signing of the guarantees that it is going to not bring criminal charges against individuals in search of abortion or gender reassignment services or individuals providing abortion or sex reassignment therapy services, and its policy of not prosecuting certain minor offenses.

“I am proud of the race we ran,” Warren said in an announcement Tuesday night. “The best candidate doesn’t always win, especially when the other side cheats by illegally suspending you and then spending millions of dollars lying about you.”

The governor’s office didn’t immediately reply to an emailed inquiry on Wednesday.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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