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Democrats Silent as Trump’s Authoritarian Grip Tightens, Leaving Supporters Outraged

NNPA NEWSWIRE — For many loyal Democratic voters, the past month has been a slap in the face. As Trump and his enablers work to dismantle civil rights protections, former President Joe Biden walked out of the White House without a clear strategy to protect Black Americans, Latinos, women, and other marginalized communities.

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Except for outspoken lawmakers Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Democrats have remained frustratingly silent as Donald Trump solidifies his grip on power. Despite his administration’s policies, a government funding freeze, and his allies pushing the racist and oppressive Project 2025 agenda onto Americans, Democratic leadership has offered no real response. For many loyal Democratic voters, the past month has been a slap in the face. As Trump and his enablers work to dismantle civil rights protections, former President Joe Biden walked out of the White House without a clear strategy to protect Black Americans, Latinos, women, and other marginalized communities. Instead, Biden’s departure sent a chilling message: You’re on your own. His silence and that of other complacent individuals have left many questioning the Democratic Party’s willingness to fight, with some likening it to abandoning its base to a modern-day Jim Crow era.

Yet, even with Trump’s administration moving rapidly to disenfranchise millions, Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have barely mustered a public outcry. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which boasts a record number of members this session, has been equally absent. With Trump’s allies openly threatening democracy, Black Americans and other marginalized groups expected their elected leaders to take an aggressive stand. Instead, they’ve been met with silence and inaction. What’s particularly infuriating to many is that the warnings about Trump’s return to power were clear. His policies were openly laid out, and his intentions were never hidden. The Supreme Court ruling that provided him with immunity also extended to Biden while he was still in office. Unlike Republicans, Biden and the Democrats chose not to use it. Some legal scholars argued that, based on the authority provided by the Court and the Constitution, Biden could have declared that the nation was facing a clear and present danger. With a strong legal team and a split Congress, he could have denied Trump the office, at least temporarily, while the courts sorted it out.

Instead, Biden, Bill Clinton, and especially Barack Obama attended Trump’s inauguration. That decision has fueled even more outrage among African Americans, who now feel utterly abandoned by a party they have historically supported.

Jeffries posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 29:

“The illegal GOP funding freeze ends Medicaid as we know it, throws children off of Head Start, and starves seniors who rely on Meals on Wheels. Extreme MAGA Republicans support this scheme to rip off hardworking American families. House Democrats will Stop the Steal.” The post offered no concrete plan to counter Trump’s policies. It also failed to address the direct attacks on African Americans, even after Trump’s press secretary publicly signaled to journalist April Ryan of Black Press USA that the federal government would not recognize Black History Month.

That exchange further infuriated Black voters, particularly given their longstanding loyalty to the Democratic Party. But the frustration boiled over when Professor Hassan Kwame Jeffries, a self-described longtime Democrat and podcast host, dismissed concerns about Democratic inaction. He posted on X:

“I’m seeing a lot of this, all versions of the same question: what’s the Democrats’ plan to deal with # Trump’s madness?? The plan was vote for #Harris. You said no to the plan.” Rather than galvanizing support, Jeffries’ dismissive tone only alienated those who had backed former Vice President Kamala Harris. His post sparked widespread anger.

X user Ariana Jasmine expressed the growing outrage among those who supported Democrats, demanding action:

“The nation is falling apart, please for the love of god say or DO SOMETHING!!!”

Another user, @ArchangeAntoine, responded bluntly to Jeffries:

“Weak statement! You are discounting the millions of people who said yes. Now again, what the fck is their plan?”*

Despite Trump signing pardons for January 6 rioters and his allies openly embracing white nationalism, many 2028 Democratic hopefuls have remained silent. According to Politico, the shift in strategy is deliberate. Instead of directly challenging Trump’s authoritarian rule, Democratic leaders are focused on biding their time, avoiding “outrage cycles,” and looking for bipartisan opportunities. The article notes:

“Just a few thousand showed up to protest Trump’s inauguration.”

This is a sharp departure from 2017 when millions mobilized against Trump’s first term. Democrats appear paralyzed, unwilling to take the kind of resistance-driven approach that once defined their opposition to Trump. Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow spoke openly about the inaction, telling Politico:

“My advice is, call it out, be blunt, but don’t shriek about it.”

Meanwhile, Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez stand alone in calling out Trump’s attacks on Black Americans and marginalized communities. Despite their growing influence and millions of social media followers, Democratic leadership continues to ignore them.

The outrage over the party’s silence is growing. X user @WintersPolitics captured the frustration:

“Am I the only one who is mad as hell that AOC and Jasmine Crockett are seemingly the only members of the Democratic Party who are using their platforms to speak out against Trump and MAGA, the oligarchy?”

With Trump moving swiftly to consolidate power, the Democratic strategy of “hope” and “pray” appears to be failing. The party’s reluctance to fight back has left its most loyal supporters feeling abandoned—and many believe Democrats may never recover from this betrayal.

Stacy M. Brown

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#NNPA BlackPress

Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.