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COMMENTARY: A Metro Car Photo Became a Portrait of Trump’s America

SEATTLE MEDIUM — A Reuters photo, taken by Cheney Orr, of a lone Black woman on a Metro train has become a prominent image of America’s 250th birthday celebration. The woman was seated in a train car filled with nearly a dozen identically dressed white men wearing khakis, navy shirts, baseball caps, sunglasses, and face masks. The men were members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front.
The post COMMENTARY: A Metro Car Photo Became a Portrait of Trump’s America appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Joseph Williams

The most revealing image of America’s 250th birthday celebration wasn’t the fireworks bursting over the National Mall, colonial reenactors in Boston, or the military flyovers that filled Washington, D.C.’s skies. It was a Reuters photo, shot by Cheney Orr, of a lone Black woman on public transportation.

Riding the Metro, Washington’s subway system, the as-yet-unidentified woman, in a green T-shirt, was sitting in a train car crowded with nearly a dozen identically dressed white men wearing khakis, navy shirts, baseball caps, sunglasses, and face masks.

With members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front filling the train car around her, she stared ahead, her expression frozen somewhere on a grid between practiced indifference, quiet calculation, anger, and fear.

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The image Orr captured raced around social media because millions of Americans saw it and instantly understood what they were looking at: a hate group out in public, retelling an old American story about Black trauma, in modern costume.

Echoes of History

For Black Americans, the photograph was painfully familiar.

It echoed the images of Elizabeth Eckford, a Black teenager, hounded by an angry white mob in Little Rock, and Ruby Bridges, a Black child, walking past screaming segregationists into a New Orleans elementary school. Uncut racism against Black women and girls, on full display.

Now, we have a photo of a Black woman juxtaposed against looming masked white nationalists, as if a century of American racial history had folded in on itself.

From the Ku Klux Klan to the White Citizens Council to the Proud Boys, every generation has produced its own version of organized white intimidation. The uniforms change. The slogans evolve. The technology improves. But the underlying message, plainly and unequivocally told by white men, remains remarkably consistent: We belong here. You are merely tolerated.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Patriot Front wraps itself in the language of patriotism while promoting its white nationalist vision of America. Members marched through Washington carrying American and Confederate imagery beneath chants of “Reclaim America,” presenting themselves as defenders of the nation’s founding ideals — even as their movement traces its roots to the aftermath of the fatal 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally.

Yet perhaps the most striking detail wasn’t they carried or chanted. It was what they hid.

America’s original patriots signed their names. The Klan hid beneath hoods. Patriot Front wraps itself in the flag while hiding behind masks.

Every face concealed, every distinguishing feature erased. Every member rendered indistinguishable from the next. It is unsettling, by design, and is not a new tradition in America.

The Klan understood more than a century ago that anonymity is its own weapon. White robes and pointed hoods, while theatrical, protected identities, denied victims the ability to identify attackers and insulated participants from social and legal accountability.

The masks transformed ordinary men into an anonymous mob.

Terror Without Consequence

History remembers those tactics well. In the 1920s, tens of thousands of robed, hooded Klansmen marched openly through Washington, D.C., demonstrating that white supremacy was not a small cadre confined to Southern back roads but a political movement comfortably at home in the nation’s capital. Masked “night riders” menaced rural Black communities in the South under cover of darkness to instill terror without consequence.

A century later, the wardrobe has changed, from white robes to tactical khakis. The strategy has not.

Patriot Front claims it represents courage, tradition, and American patriotism. Yet it is difficult to square that claim with the effort its members make to avoid being recognized. And their appearance on July 4 in a subway car headed to the National Mall is a contradiction that’s impossible to ignore.

The men who signed the Declaration of Independence pledged, in their words, “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Whatever else history says about them, they publicly attached their names to beliefs they considered worth dying for.

Patriot Front members invoke the founders while refusing to identify themselves. If they believe their cause is righteous — that it represents the true America — why the masks?

Unsettling Image

It’s because they know that openly embracing white supremacy carries consequences. Employers notice. So do neighbors, friends, family. So the white men in matching outfits hide behind the symbolism of public strength without accepting the personal cost of public conviction. That tension is part of what makes the Metro photograph so unsettling.

The woman at its center did not choose to become a symbol; she simply wanted to get somewhere on the subway. The millions of people who saw her recognized her discomfort. But Black Americans understood the emotional arithmetic written on her face: if you’re outnumbered and perceive danger, stay calm, avoid attention, get home safely.

The photo compresses centuries of the Black experience into a single subway car. One Black woman sits alone while a movement that claims to love America conceals its identity.

The Metro photograph is unsettling because it reveals insecurity masquerading as strength. America’s original patriots signed their names. The Klan hid beneath hoods. Patriot Front wraps itself in the flag while hiding behind masks.

For all its talk of reclaiming America, its members seem unwilling to claim their own beliefs.

Based on reporting by Seattle Medium.

The post COMMENTARY: A Metro Car Photo Became a Portrait of Trump’s America appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

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