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WATCH: Unanswered Questions Around The National Guard Shooting

Career US Navy terrorism intelligence collector, code breaker, and interrogator with wide-ranging field and combat experience in the Middle East, South West Asia, and Africa and New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Nance join Make It Plain with Rev. Mark Thompson to discuss the case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the individual suspected of shooting Sarah Beckstrom […]

Published

9 months ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

Career US Navy terrorism intelligence collector, code breaker, and interrogator with wide-ranging field and combat experience in the Middle East, South West Asia, and Africa and New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Nance join Make It Plain with Rev. Mark Thompson to discuss the case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the individual suspected of shooting Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, both uniformed members of the West Virginia National Guard on November 26.

“My first thought was…I knew it was gonna start a conspiracy theory. It’s just the way, the nature of the game. People don’t understand how intelligence and intelligence processes work,” said Nance.

“The first question anyone should ask, and a counter-terrorism perspective is how did this individual transport himself from a place of origin, which is his home, let’s assume in Washington state to Washington, DC If it was a vehicle, where’s the vehicle?”

Nance further considered the implications if the suspect traveled by air, questioning the protocol followed with a weapon:

“Or if he flew, how did he fly with a handgun? Did he check it in? Did he obey all the laws?”

Nance underscored the necessity of these questions to piece together the suspect’s actions and motives, emphasizing that these logistics could provide critical insights into the event.

He said, “His method of transporting himself to Washington DC is a critical question.” These questions remain crucial as they may reveal more about the suspect’s intentions and the broader circumstances of the shooting.

Nance brought attention to the challenge of piecing together the intent behind the actions of the accused, highlighting the mental state and situational pressures that might have led to the tragedy.

Nance also provided insights into the workings of “zero units,” of which Lakanwal was a member, explaining their vital role under the control of the CIA for direct action operations.

“These were units…who would come under the control of the CIA and do more direct actions without having to use all the resources of a special forces team,” he said.

Delving deep into the psychological impact on individuals involved in such intense environments, Nance emphasized the potential for PTSD, particularly upon transitioning from military zones to civilian life. He discussed where refugees, particularly those from conflict zones like Afghanistan and Vietnam, are placed within the U.S. Nance questioned the logic behind settling people in environments far removed from what they are accustomed to, suggesting instead that support systems and familiarity could aid better assimilation and mental well-being.

He emphasized how America’s systemic racism can affect immigrants.

“America is a racist country. I mean, we are literally living in a cesspool, a tsunami of, of white anger, resentment, racism that is affecting every American,” Nance said.

Nance explained the perplexing choices often made in resettling refugees, pointing out that immigrants are sometimes placed in areas starkly different from their home environments. He shared that when Somali refugees were brought to the U.S., they were resettled in Minneapolis, a location drastically different from their native climate and culture.

“It’s like we want to put them in places where they will be forced to adjust to the American dream in an extreme that they’re not used to,” he said.

Watch the full interview:

[This post contains video, click to play]

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

7 days ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.