Activism

Black Rage is Justified – Statement from the Brotherhood of Elders Network

Published

4 years ago

June 9, 2020

Brotherhood of Elders Network

“To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious, is to be in a rage almost all the time.” James Baldwin

“We revolt simply because, for many reasons, we can no longer breathe” Franz Fanon

We embrace the rage. The knee on George Floyd’s neck symbolizes the historic weight on the neck of the black community for our entire history in this land. It must be lifted, or we all perish. We feel the pain expressed across the nation given our lived experiences of racism, economic disinvestment, failed health care systems, joblessness, disparate impacts of covid-19, and disparate impacts of the criminal justice system. We express our outrage at the blatant racism and act of murder and other violence against Black people by law enforcement. We condemn the federal, state and local officials who, through their silence and inaction, condone these acts of terror against our community. It is time for immediate and substantial action to shift away from the current culture of policing to meaningful, community-based safety and well-being strategies.

Police in Minneapolis murdered George Floyd just for being black and denied him human dignity. The same is true for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Tony McDade in Tallahassee, and Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia; as well as countless others. Too many of us, no matter our race, gender, or unique identity, struggle everyday with the violence of our society that serves the rich and privileged at the expense of the struggling workers.

The violence generated by the economic, political, social and cultural institutional racism against our community caused the reactions in the streets. We fully support our activist family and friends who are waging a principled demonstration of the pent-up anger we all feel. In the Spirit of John Brown, we applaud the solidarity of antiracist white people in our struggle. We stand with all who fight for change. While we do not seek to promote the violence, looting and other activities that can undermine the message that Black Lives really do Matter, We are committed to the belief that if there is no Justice, there will be no Peace. Our demand is for justice—true justice – justice for George Floyd and all victims of police violence, health and economic justice, educational equity and economic and housing justice. We commit a renewed energy and resources to demand accountability and to the removal of obstacles to change policies, institutions, or change individuals.

To our young people, we understand your distrust of government and law enforcement. We stand with you to change this system of unequal justice. We know that judges represent as much a part of the inequities in the justice system as District Attorneys, City Attorneys, law enforcement and lawyers. Systemic change is required.

As an intergenerational network of men of African descent, we are working hard to bring the world we want to see into being. We have organized a response to the COVID pandemic in Oakland over the last month and created a fund to provide resources to our most vulnerable family members. We have partnered with City officials to support the creation of an effective Department of Violence Prevention.

Lastly, a major tool in this transformation is the Oakland Police Commission which finds itself at a crossroads. We have engaged the debate and won’t give up until this vehicle for accountability is working at its highest level for us. To be successful in their duties, it requires the trust of the Oakland Community; the appropriate number of qualified trained staff; and complete autonomy from Oakland’s elected officials, administration and Police Department. The current debate on making changes to the Commission are critical to their mission of overseeing the policies and practices to meet the national standards of constitutional policing. We are determined to create a humane “use of force” policy and practice for the Oakland Police Department; to eliminate biased policing in the Oakland Police department and the Sheriff’s Department, to strengthen the Citizen Police Review Agency, and elect a District Attorney that prosecutes police violations of citizens’ rights, and elect a sheriff that protects the rights of our community.

Join us in our work. Join us in this fight. Join us in the larger movement for Black lives.

The Brotherhood of Elders Network is an intergenerational network of men of African descent based in Oakland California whose mission is to foster environments where Black males are empowered to flourish.

www.brotherhoodofelders.net

Brotherhood of Elders Network

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Activism

Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

19 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.

Published

20 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Cecil Williams, civil rights activist and social justice leader was the head pastor of San Francisco’s non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church.

By California Black Media

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.