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Op-ed: The Promise of America Will Ring True “When We Are All Accepted as Equals”

Published

11 years ago

August 26, 2015

By Ron San Miguel

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States affirms that:

“We the People of the United Sates, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

How does our current state of affairs measure up to the noble intentions of this preamble?

“We the People”: When written in 1787, this statement did not include African slaves, American born slaves, Native-Americans, or even white women. It certainly well should by now, but does it really?

Most African-Americans, Native-Americans, Latino-Americans, and other Americans of color, often feel alienated from the mainstream of US citizens.

It behooves us to ask why, and to find out how we can embrace the rich ethnic and cultural diversity of “We the People” of this country – a country historically made up of immigrants.

“(To) establish Justice”: We are way off the mark here. Ask any mother of a black child, teen, or young adult, if she feels that her child is safe when confronted by the police.

Look at the long history of the killing of Native-Americans by authorities on and off reservations ̶ killings that continue to this very day!

Ask the parents of Latino kids if they fear that harm will come to their children at the hands of the police.

Look at the number of people of color who are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated in this country. In this nation we spend more money building prisons than we do building schools.

Our criminal justice system is simply not ‘just’ ̶ to guarantee justice for all, we desperately need to overhaul the prison industrial complex!

In a fair and transparent process that seeks true justice, the accused is innocent until proven guilty. We need to stop the trial of the “accused” via national media broadcasting, and on social media.

Just like an arrested and indicted individual is supposed to be afforded due process and is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, the same applies to a police officer who is accused of killing an African-American man, woman, or child.

Or a Latino man, woman, or child ̶ or a Native- American man, woman, or child.

Or any color of man, woman, or child. We are all created equal and deserve to be treated as equals!

I offer up thanks and gratitude to the Black Women who attended an intimate circle session.

I attended this summer, where we gathered to discuss the fact that Black Lives Matter. It was a powerful experience of the Catharsis of Rage.

Spontaneously, from within the circle, voices spoke, and hearts were opened up.

There was a tremendous release of pent-up pain from wounded hearts; that which we all carry inside when we see unarmed, young black men (and women) killed by police.

Mainstream media portrays these atrocities as if assaults on young (and old), male and female black lives were something new.

This is not to say that brown and other lives do not matter, but due to recent media attention on excessive force and abuse inflicted upon unarmed black folk, ‘Black Lives Matter’ was the focus of this particular session.

This is not meant to detract from the fact that similar assaults and injustices have been inflicted upon our Latino and Indigenous communities for hundreds of years.

In Black and Brown communities, we know that attacks upon our communities are nothing new.

In this particular event we focused on how Black Lives Matter, because they do; the focus was on Black lives because that is what is currently on the news.

Of course all lives matter, but the heat is on Black lives right now. So to say that Black Lives Matter, in no way implies that others do not!

When we are all accepted as equals, the Noble Preamble will ring true for men and women of all colors. I look forward to seeing that day within my lifetime!

Ron San Miguel, Song Catcher, is an Oakland-based singer/songwriter, His latest album, “Paint Me A Rainbow, “is available now at www.cdbaby.com

It is also available on iTunes, Amazon and Facebook at Ron San Miguel/Music.

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New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill

OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights). File photo.

By California Black Media Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.

Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.

Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.

The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.

Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.

“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”

Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.

“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”

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Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies

OALAND POST — On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi as she left her residence of 13 years to file documents in her case at the Appellate Court. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita Jail.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

By Tanya Dennis

Yesterday, more than 10 Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to take possession of Zakiya Jendayi’s home on behalf of a court-appointed administrator. Jendayi was arrested at the courthouse and transported to Santa Rita Jail around the same time.

Jendayi, who has been embroiled in a probate court battle to retain the inheritance bestowed on her by a longtime friend and colleague who passed away in 2013, had received a notice of eviction last month.

With help from neighbors, friends and clergy, she was able to fend off the eviction from 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland and even obtained a reprieve when her bid to file bankruptcy was approved by a county court.

But Philip Campbell, the court-appointed administrator, had already placed Jendayi’s home in his name in October 2025.

On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi when she left her residence of 13 years to go to the Appellate Court to file documents in her case. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita jail.

Undersheriff April Luckett-Fahini said Jendayi was arrested for “safety reasons.” At this time, it is unknown what charges were used for the arrest.

In Jendayi’s absence, Campbell came to her residence accompanied by deputies, had the property taped off with yellow crime tape, and had the locks changed.

Afterward, Campbell requested a police escort to his car amid several angry neighbors who had been advocating that officials pause the eviction pending Jendayi’s appeal.

“Zakiya Jendayi is a respected Black elder in our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working with Jendayi to prevent her eviction. “It’s outrageous that she was arrested. There needs to be more justice and equity in our probate system.”

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Ask California: Golden State Releases New AI Chatbot

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the prototype as part of the state’s broader effort to use artificial intelligence to make government services easier to access. The launch follows his March 2026 executive order directing state agencies to responsibly implement generative AI while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California has launched AskCA, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help residents find and navigate state and local government services through a single online platform.

Developed by the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, AskCA is designed around major life events rather than individual government agencies. Californians can use the tool to find information about finding a job, starting a business, accessing family services and recovering from disasters.

“When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it,” said Newsom. “We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make the government more efficient, effective, and more engaged.”

The state is now seeking Californians age 18 and older to participate in the pilot and help test and refine AskCA’s responses. Officials said subject matter experts across state governments are helping inform the chatbot’s answers, which are designed to draw from verified government sources and provide actionable information.

The prototype grew out of California’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Early testing included more than 140 fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors, a dozen job seekers and more than 100 general users.

Jeffery Marino, director of the Office of Data and Innovation, said the tool is intended to remove the need for residents to understand how government agencies are organized before they can get help.

“Californians should not have to understand how the government is organized just to get basic help,” Marino said.

AskCA’s technology will also be used in a new job-skills matching feature that the California Department of Human Resources plans to launch Sept. 30 on CalCareers. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and receive potential matches to state job classifications.

The state said the CalCareers pilot will not store personal information or require users to have a CalCareers account. California plans to continue testing AskCA as officials evaluate its accuracy, performance and usefulness before expanding the system.