Activism

Opinion – ‘I Can’t Breathe’ COVID-19 in Prison

Published

4 years ago

July 8, 2020

I can’t breathe is more than just a statement. It’s a living reality, both literally and figuratively.

Literally it’s the actuality that you can’t breathe due to some form of physical restraint being applied which causes suffocation.

Figuratively it applies to an oppressed people existing in America who are not able to receive justice or equality.

Which is an essential component of life.

Racial discrimination can suffocate because it denies the life-sustaining necessities.

The “I can’t breathe” plea emphatically summarizes the nature and composition of suffering and denial figuratively.

A translation of the “I can’t breathe” chant signifies what a depressed people under the weight of tyranny oppression must endure.

People ridden with discriminatory treatment, disguised as racial justice, are dying daily as a direct result of not being able to breathe in a toxic polluted atmosphere of inhumane conditions.

But, to be fair, Black people are not the only targeted minorities shackled with the inability to breathe freely.

Other people of color also find themselves the subjects of repugnant treatment as Blacks are and have been the pre-eminent victims of racist behavior.

Racism permeates every element in life and gives breath to hateful suffering associated with day to day survival.

“I can’t Breathe” is an American narrative detailing an ongoing tactic approval of accepted silent practices that besmirch and degrade people of color

The damages of racism, done over time, undeniably cripples and destroys racial harmony.

Until I can’t breathe is vehemently replaced with, I can breathe America will continue to be the epicenter of race-based exclusion and dehumanizing practices against people who don’t share the racial genetics of most of the population that doesn’t look like them in America and around the world.

It is time for people to stand up and take “I can’t breathe” to its final resting place.

COVID-19

The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching implications in prison-like it has been on a worldwide basis.

Here in the prison complex of San Quentin, social distancing as it is designed by the medical experts is a meaningless concept and practice and, therefore, structurally because of cells and cellmates it is virtually impossible to implement.

For several months the practice of transferring inmates from prison to prison was halted in order to stop the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, but then apparently.

Someone in the front offices gave the okay to transfer inmates to San Quentin where no inmates had the virus even though it was reported that a few staff members had tested positive.

The logic of sending hundreds of inmates from another prison that experienced several deaths and multiple cases of positive virus tests is still baffling because it put all of us at San Quentin at risk.

Already dozens have been exposed with many showing symptoms. They are being placed in quarantine and possibly contaminating others in their immediate surroundings.

I have learned that many prisoners and some staff have died in the statewide prison system. These facts should be of concern to the public-at-large because any efforts toward the containment of the virus in this very close environment seem futile at best.

And since prisons release many of the inmates who have varying sentences, on a staggered basis, they will return home to many communities throughout the state, and it is ludicrous to think that some of them won’t be carrying the virus.

In order to decide, the entire prison population needs to be tested, because many could be asymptomatic.

Many inmates have underlying health issues which means aggressive action is required to minimize death and contamination.

The notion that if we separate inmates and move them around from place to place will minimize the spread is risky to us here and to the outside public as well.

COVID-19 has revealed that we are all truly in this situation together.

Without the combined efforts of everyone, we will lose this battle against the virus.

This health crisis struggle is a twenty-first-century Armageddon on several levels. On June 12 they started testing staff, which is a good sign. I will continue to report on the status of COVID-19.

May God bless us all.

Richard Johnson K- 53293

3 W.2

San Quentin, CA. 94974

Since the article was received, the family of Richard Johnson contacted The Post News Group to confirm Johnson tested positive for COVID-19.

Richard Johnson

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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

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Shutterstock

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

1 day 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.