Commentary

COMMENTARY: #FirstThem Has Many Detractors, but Supporters want to ‘Stay on Code’

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Still, supporters argue that those reporting on #FirstThem need to “stay on code” because they say that many of the organizations behind those movements have racially tailored their agenda, and the mission of #FirstThem is to counter those who focus on race when targeting alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct.

Published

7 years ago

February 6, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The #FirstThem movement has gained a lot of support, particularly among Twitter users who continue to highlight what they see as a wave of corporate-sponsored movements created under the narrative of addressing sexual misconduct, particularly in the entertainment industry.

However, in noting that the #MeToo movement has meet a crackling of backlash, an Oct. 29, 2018, New York Times analysis revealed that since the New Yorker Magazine investigation that outed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein as an alleged predator two years ago, at least 200 prominent men have lost their jobs after public allegations of sexual harassment.

A few, including Weinstein, face criminal charges, while at least 920 accusers have come forward to say that a powerful and/or prominent man subjected them to sexual mistreatment.

Nearly half of the men who have been replaced in their positions were succeed by women, according to the analysis.

Still, supporters argue that those reporting on #FirstThem need to “stay on code” because they say that many of the organizations behind those movements have racially tailored their agenda, and the mission of #FirstThem is to counter those who focus on race when targeting alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct.

#FirstThem has also received some pushback from Tarana Burke and others that believe that the movement has wrongly targeted some white stars.

“While I agree completely with the premise here, I am compelled to speak out on behalf of someone I know is wrongly named,” Bob Ezrin wrote in an email response to a recent NNPA Newswire story about #FirstThem.

In the 1970s there was a group of underaged girls ranging from 13 to 17 called the “Baby Groupies” who were allegedly molested by several notable rock musicians like David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Marc Bolan, Alice Cooper, Robert Plant and Iggy Pop.#FirstThem pic.twitter.com/IbOzyruLlb
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) January 19, 2019

“Alice Cooper has been my friend and creative partner for nearly 50 years and, aside from being a devout Christian and committed monogamist, he’s also the most decent man I know,” Ezrin continued in response to a January 19^th Tweet that implied that Cooper, among other rock stars of the same era, was involved in activity with underage girls.

Indeed, Cooper proved to be the only celebrity named by the #FirstThem movement in which NNPA Newswire could find no previous allegations of misconduct.

“The stage persona is just that,” Ezrin said of Cooper. “In all the years we have known each other, I have only ever seen Alice with two women: his wife Sheryl and before that, his girlfriend Cindy Laing. That’s it,” he said.

And, while supporters said it’s wrong to say #FirstThem founder Tariq Nasheed defended R. Kelly and the late Michael Jackson, Nasheed, a media personality who has a large presence on social media, has issued numerous tweets denouncing those who have shone a spotlight on Kelly and Jackson.

In a Jan. 28 tweet, Nasheed wrote:

“Shout out to the Jackson family for their strength. It’s painful to see a Black family having to endure these attacks, by a white supremacist-driven movement to take the focus off white predators. Targeting a deceased Black man with vicious lies is disheartening.”

While Nasheed may not have technically defended Kelly or Jackson, it can be argued that he is certainly guilty of what-aboutism: pointing out the alleged misdeeds of whites instead of also acknowledging those same deeds when they are perpetrated by blacks.

In a Jan. 15 tweet regarding R. Kelly, Nasheed wrote: “The media wants to keep using #RKelly as a smokescreen, but they stay quiet on actors like Don Johnson who was openly dating Melanie Griffith when she was 14 and he was 22.”

Nasheed may have been reacting to an article about Griffith on the site, NinjaJournalist, which stated, “At only 14 years of age, Griffith started seeing actor Don Johnson, who was 22-years-old at the time. Their romance became a heavily criticized one in the media, especially when it was exposed that Don had such a negative influence on the woman he would marry four years after meeting her.”

In another tweet on Jan. 17 about Kelly, Nasheed said the “people keep focusing on R. Kelly and there are literally sexual predators – monsters – out there.”

Mostly, though, Nasheed and those in the #FirstThem movement say they make sure that the hundreds of accused sexual predators from the dominant – or white – society, who work in the entertainment industry, will not be conveniently skipped over in order to target entertainers based on race.

“We will ensure that the focus will be on them first,” the founders wrote on their website.

It is why Nasheed has taken issue with Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, and others.

Following a planned rally by LGBTQ and other organizations to show solidarity with actor and entertainer Jussie Smollett who was viciously attacked late last month, Nasheed wondered in a Jan. 30 tweet:

“Why are all these rallies about violence towards Black LGBT people being held, and no one is talking about the dead gay Black men found in the home of Ed Buck,” after for the second time in two years, Los Angeles detectives in January found a man dead inside Buck’s apartment.

Nasheed has called out Burke and #MeToo, and as recently as Jan. 30, noted that “the #MeToo movement has rolled out a new campaign featuring Terry Crews talking about being sexually assaulted and how Black society is somehow complicit.”

But, Nasheed continued: “#MeToo is silent about the white man who sexually assaulted Terry Crews.”

Nasheed also posted Burke’s response in which she asks: “Why is it my job to go after white men?”

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 6 – 12, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of may 6 – 12, 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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On the Frontlines of Hate: NAACP Links Victims to Critical Support

The NAACP CA/HI has a long and well-established record of supporting victims of discrimination and hate crimes — providing critical referrals and, when necessary, direct assistance through legal advocacy and other forms of support. Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2026

Oakland Post

NAACP members at a recent advocacy day in Sacramento urging lawmakers to protect voting rights. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

By Joe Kocurek
California Black Media

The California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP (CA/HI NAACP) has expanded its efforts to respond to rising hate incidents and civil rights complaints across California, supported in part by funding from California’s Stop the Hate Program

Through that grant, NAACP CA/HI has strengthened its ability to connect individuals experiencing hate or discrimination with critical resources. This includes referring those who file complaints to the CA vs Hate hotline, a statewide, non-emergency hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal created to help counter a more than 50% increase in reported hate crimes in California between 2020 and 2024. The system helps ensure incidents are documented, and victims are guided toward appropriate support.

LaJuana Bivens says the work of NAACP is as urgent as ever. Photo by Regina Wilson, California Black Media.

LaJuana Bivens, who has served in a number of roles within the NAACP, said California has seen an increase in civil rights violations and hate-related incidents.

“We have 52 branches, and they are constantly receiving complaints,” she said. “So, without the Stop the Hate, we would not be able to refer those cases up to attorneys at the state level. A lot of the people would not have had an opportunity to be heard.”

Carmen-Nicole Cox helps survivors of hate with their legal options. Photo courtesy of Carmen-Nicole Cox.

Carmen-Nicole Cox, an attorney who works with NAACP CA/HI – as a part of California’s Stop the Hate Program – provides legal consultation to victims of hate incidents and discrimination through her legal practice, the Cox Firm for Law and Policy.

She said the complaints she receives span a wide range of issues.

“People are having home builders and landlords refusing to provide repairs, a student was denied promotion in an academic program, and targeted scrutiny at work,” she said. “It’s typically employment; it’s housing; it’s education.

“We’ll meet and they’ll share their experiences,” she said. “And then I make assessments about possible legal claims.”

According to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), nearly 1,200 reports of hate against minority groups were submitted in 2024 through the CA vs Hate hotline and online portal for non-emergency incidents.

While the California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP, which has tens of thousands of members, does not directly investigate hate incidents or crimes, it plays a key role in connecting victims to the state’s reporting systems and support services.

Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Bivens recently traveled to Sacramento to speak with state lawmakers about voting rights during an advocacy day event hosted by the organization.

“It’s just so hard for communities of color to be up to date because of all of the confusing information coming from the federal level,” she said. “I love our great state of California because here it is possible to vote by mail and to vote early.

“And I’m seeing that trying to be eroded. So, I’m here to urge continued support for vote by mail and early voting.”

When Texas moved to redraw congressional districts in ways critics said would dilute minority voting strength, NAACP CA/HI supported the passage of Proposition 50 in California. The organization also intervened in United States v. Shirley Weber, where federal officials sought access to unredacted California voter records, including Social Security numbers, raising concerns about misuse and voter intimidation.

Cultivating the advocacy and leaderships of young people is central to NAACP’s mission to fight racism and dismantle inequality. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

A federal district court dismissed that case in January 2026.

The organization’s current work builds on a long history of civil rights advocacy. Today, Bivens says, the organization’s mission remains as urgent as ever.

“We are the oldest, boldest, most feared Civil Rights organization,” Bivens said. “What we do every day is fight for better housing, education, economic development and political inclusion. We take it on because there are just so many people who need that support.

“You would be amazed that our phones ring every single day.”

Get Support After Hate:

California vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hotline and online portal offering confidential support for hate crimes and incidents. Victims and witnesses can get help anonymously by calling 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. PT, or online at any time. Anonymous. Confidential. No Police. No ICE.

This story was produced in partnership with CA vs Hate. Join them for the first-ever CA Civil Rights Summit on May 11. More information at www.cavshate.org/summit.

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Up to the Job: How San Francisco’s PRC Is Providing Work Opportunities That Turn Into Lasting Stability

Each year, PRC serves more than 5,000 clients through a wide range of programs. These include housing navigation, legal advocacy to ensure access to health and public benefits, supportive housing, job and life-skills training, and residential treatment programs.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Black Leadership Council (BLC) Advocacy Day in Sacramento. BLC works to advance meaningful change through policy engagement to unlock the full potential of Black and low-income communities. Photo courtesy of PRC.

By Joe Kocurek, California Black Media

Seville Christian arrived in San Francisco in the 1990s from Kansas City, Mo., a transgender woman coming from a time and place still hostile to who she was.

San Francisco offered a deeper LGBTQ+ history and a more visible community of people like her, but even in a city known for acceptance, building a stable life from scratch was no small task.

After arriving in the city, she turned to Positive Resource Center (PRC) looking for work — and for a foothold — in a new place.

“PRC gave me my first job,” Christian said. “A simple gig — passing out magazines at the San Francisco Pride Parade.”

That first opportunity marked the beginning of a decades-long relationship with PRC, one that has seen Christian grow from client to valued employee, and eventually to policy fellow.

“Today, I’ve been with PRC for 27 years, going on 28,” she said.

Seville Christian’s decades-long relationship with PRC includes as a client, fellow and beloved employee. Photo courtesy of PRC.

Helping people access employment and build sustainable careers has been a cornerstone of PRC’s mission since its inception nearly four decades ago. In its most recent annual impact report, PRC served 443 clients through workforce development services, including career counseling, educational programs, hands-on training, and job search assistance. The average wage earned by PRC clients is $26.48 per hour — approximately 38% above San Francisco’s minimum wage.

To advance this work, organizations like PRC have benefited from funding through California’s Stop the Hate Program, which provides direct support to community-based organizations leading anti-hate initiatives.

Christian’s path was not without challenges. During some rocky years, she experienced periods of housing instability and struggled with addiction. Through PRC, she enrolled in a life-skills program that emphasized using her own lived experience as a means of helping others. The program helped set her on a path toward completing an associate’s degree and ultimately launching a career in case management.

“Today, whether someone is new to the city or has lived here their whole life, I know how to help them navigate to where they need to be,” Christian said.

Members of PRC’s Black Leadership Council meet with a lawmaker in Sacramento. Photo courtesy of PRC.

While PRC was founded to serve people living with HIV, its mission has expanded over the decades to meet the needs of people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those facing mental health and substance use challenges.

According to PRC’s Chief of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Tasha Henneman, some of the organization’s earliest programs remain as vital today as they were at the start.

“Our emergency financial assistance program helped more than 1,200 people this year pay rent, cover medical bills, and keep the lights on,” Henneman said. “And over 1,400 people reached out for legal advocacy, resulting in more than $2.5 million in retroactive benefits unlocked.”

Beyond direct services, PRC is deeply committed to community empowerment and policy change. Programs such as the Black Leadership Council support community leaders in advocating for systemic reform, while the Black Trans Initiative focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by Black transgender individuals.

A recent study from the Williams Institute highlighted findings that 71% of transgender homicide victims in the U.S. between 2010 and 2021 were Black and that nearly a third of the transgender homicides during that period were confirmed or suspected hate crimes.

PRC’s direct and indirect services can be a lifeline for people experiencing hate and are an example of the resources people can get connected with through the state’s CA vs Hate hotline.

PRC is now also producing a film project that centers the lived experiences of Black trans clients, including individuals like Christian.

PRC welcomed guests to their annual Open House in April, an evening dedicated to connection, reflection, and learning more about the programs and people working every day to support San Franciscans experiencing housing instability, unemployment, and behavioral health challenges. Photo courtesy of PRC.

“Our film highlights the health journeys and lived experiences of some of PRC’s Black trans clients,” Henneman said. “Our goal is to give voice, visibility, and agency to the participants — and to bring their stories, both harrowing and inspirational, to policymakers and the broader public.”

The film, expected to be released later this year, is directed by Yule Caise, with assistant director Zarina Codes, a Black transgender San Francisco resident.

Today, Christian continues her relationship with PRC as an ambassador, reflecting on a journey that began with a single job opportunity and grew into a lifelong commitment to service.

“Sometimes I’ll be riding the bus or standing in a grocery store, and someone will come up to me from a women’s shelter,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, Miss Seville, I just want to thank you. You really helped me with what I was dealing with.’”

She paused, smiling.

“And in those moments,” Christian said, “I think to myself, “Well!.”

A single word that sums up pride in a journey to find the best in herself.

Get Support After Hate:

This story was produced in partnership with CA vs Hate. Join them for the first-ever CA Civil Rights Summit on May 11, 2026. More information at www.cavshate.org/summit.