The Greene County Democrat

Author: greenecodemocratcom

  • Newswire: Soul and R&B mourn loss of Roberta Flack. Gwen McCrae and Jerry Butler

    Roberta Flack, Jerry Butler and Gwen McCrae

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose smooth vocals and intimate style made her a defining artist of the 1970s, died Monday at her home surrounded by family. She was 88. Her publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed the news in a statement. Flack revealed in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which had taken away her ability to sing.
    Her death came just one day after the passing of soul-funk singer Gwen McCrae, who died Sunday at 81. McCrae, best known for hits like “Rockin’ Chair” and “Funky Sensation,” was celebrated for her enduring influence on soul and disco music. It also came just days after three-time Grammy nominee and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Butler, a premier soul singer of the 1960s, died at 85.
    Butler, known as “Ice Man,” had numerous hits including “For Your Precious Love,” and “Make It Easy on Yourself.” Butler’s niece, Yolanda Goff, told The Associated Press that Butler died of Parkinson’s disease at his home in Chicago.

     

    Roberta Flack: A Life in Music

    Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was raised in Arlington, Virginia, where her musical roots were cultivated at the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Flack began piano lessons at nine and earned a full scholarship to Howard University at 15. She initially studied piano before switching to voice. She graduated at 19 and later taught music and English in North Carolina after her father’s death.
    In Washington, D.C., Flack balanced teaching with nightclub performances, captivating audiences at local venues like Mr. Henry’s on Capitol Hill. Her breakthrough came when jazz pianist Les McCann discovered her and arranged an audition with Atlantic Records. Her 1969 debut album First Take initially received little attention until Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. Released as a single in 1972, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and earned Flack her first Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

    Flack’s success soared with her 1973 recording of “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” which became her signature hit. The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her two Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. With the win, Flack became the first artist to earn consecutive Record of the Year awards.

    Her partnership with Donny Hathaway produced hits like “Where Is the Love,” which won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. She continued her chart success with “Feel Like Makin’ Love” in 1974, making her the first female vocalist to top the Hot 100 in three consecutive years. Flack’s later collaborations with Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest yielded popular tracks like “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” and “Set the Night to Music.”
    Throughout her career, Flack advocated for artist rights and founded the Roberta Flack School of Music, providing free music education to underprivileged youth. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and performed for Nelson Mandela that same year. Flack is survived by her son, musician Bernard Wright.
    Gwen McCrae: Soul and Disco Legacy

    Gwen McCrae, celebrated for her rich voice and lasting impact on the disco and soul music scenes, died Sunday at 81. A statement from her official brand account called her passing “more bad news” for the music world and acknowledged how fans “are still jamming to ‘Rockin’ Chair’ all these years later.”Born Gwen Mosley in Pensacola, Florida, McCrae began singing in church choirs before meeting George McCrae, whom she married in 1963. The couple performed as a duo and signed with Henry Stone’s Alston label. By 1970, McCrae had achieved early success with “Lead Me On.” In 1972, she released “Always On My Mind,” a song later popularized by artists including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and the Pet Shop Boys.
    Her biggest commercial success came in 1975 with “Rockin’ Chair,” which topped the R&B chart and reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. While the single remains her most widely recognized hit, many fans and DJs remember her for the 1981 club favorite “Funky Sensation,” which has endured as a dancefloor staple. McCrae’s career spanned decades, and her other notable songs included “Keep the Fire Burning.” Despite her accomplishments, she often spoke about the lack of recognition and fair compensation for Black artists of her era.

    After suffering a stroke in 2012 that left her partially paralyzed, McCrae retired from performing. Her daughter, Leah McCrae, carries on the family’s musical legacy as a solo artist and member of the group Daughters of Soul.

  • Eutaw City Council approves raises for Mayor and Council

    At its regular meeting on February 13, 2025, the Eutaw City Council agreed to approve Ordinance 2025-2, which raises the monthly stipend of the Mayor and City Council members, effective when the newly elected officials take seats after the August 2025 elections, probably in November 2025.

    The ordinance provides for an increase in the stipend for City Council members from $300 per month to $ 800 per month. The stipend for the Mayor is increased from $ 23,000 a year to $26,000 ($2,166.67 per month).
    All five councilmembers voted in favor of the ordinance. Mayor Johnson voted against the increase, saying, “I feel the raise is too much especially when we are having financial difficulties and cannot give a raise to our employees.”

    The Council also received a report from their Financial Adviser,Ralph Liverman.  In his report, Liverman says to wait with any pay increase to employees until after March 31, which is the midway point of the fiscal year. “At that point, you will have a good estimate of general fund revenues and expenditures and can better decide on employee raises,” said Liverman.
    He also comments on plans to raise the stipends paid to councilmembers and the mayor, saying he does not agree to the amount of the raises and warns the council that voters are outraged and may take out their anger at the increases in the next election. Liverman also points to several reserve funds that have not been funded since the beginning of the calendar year.

    The Council voted not to approve a travel reimbursement for Assistant Police Chief William Smith for a trip to an FBI training in Rushton, Louisiana in January. The Council was concerned that Smith went on the trip, in a city vehicle, without prior approval. The Council also questioned whether the trip was ‘mandatory’. Mayor Johnson said she authorized Smith to go on short notice because she felt the trip was mandatory and would help strength the city’s law enforcement capacity. Smith was not there to defend his actions and request for reimbursement. Councilman Woodruff said, “We have to make an example of staff who do not follow our policies and instructions. This trip was not authorized in a city vehicle, and we are not sure if it was a mandatory training.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Tabled actions on filling vacancies on the Zoning Board, Cemetery Committee and the Airport Authority Board.
    • Referred Verna Nickson’s zoning issue to City Attorney Zane Willingham for resolution.
    • Accepted for review a report from AVENU Insights and Analytics on their work in collecting sales taxes and Business license fees for the city.
    • Approved travel for Sha’Kelvia Spencer and Joe Powell to attend a clerks training in Point Clear on April 23-25; also approved annual dues to the AAMCA for the two clerks.
    • Approved annual dues for the Municipal Court Clerks and Magistrates Association.
    • Approved quote from Henley’s Air Quality Control for heat pump systems and multi-zone damper system for City Hall.
    • Approved payment of n claim of $2,162.76 from Banks and Company for replacement of front window.
    • Tabled consideration of Ordinance 2025-3 granting a non-exclusive franchise for Fiber Utility Network Inc. to provide middle mile broadband service to the City of Eutaw.
    • Approved request from Nicholas and Akira Spencer for streetlight near their home at 415 Eatman Avenue.
    • Approved $1,000 to support the Police Ball and $500 for two tables for the BBCF Sneaker Ball, from DARE funds.
    • Approved payment of bills.

    Mayor Johnson said that she could not do her job without the support of God, the City Council, her staff of dedicated workers and the citizens of the city.

    Council member Valerie Watkins asked when the ditch behind Roebuck Avenue would be scheduled for repair because it floods when it rains. The Mayor said it was on the repair list and staff had looked at it.

    Councilmembers reported on their trip to Montgomery for an “advocacy day with the Legislature. They reported on various topics including Medicaid Expansion and other steps to help hospitals stay open.

  • Newswire: Black journalists, activists condemn MSNBC for firing Joy Reid

    MSNBC host Joy Reid

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    MSNBC has parted ways with Joy Reid, marking the departure of another prominent Black woman from the network. Reid joins Rashida Jones, the first Black woman to head a major cable news network, along with Melissa Harris-Perry and Tiffany Cross. All four women brought critical, unapologetic perspectives on race, politics, and power—voices that many believe are being systematically eliminated.

    Bobby Henry, chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), called Reid’s removal unacceptable and urged immediate action.
    “As Chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I stand in unwavering solidarity with Joy Reid and the impactful legacy of The ReidOut,” Henry said. “Joy’s voice has been a beacon of truth, justice, and empowerment for our community, and now is the time for us to show up for her. I urge you to join us—together, we will lift our voices, strategize, and continue to support those who champion our stories. Our collective strength is our greatest asset—let’s stand united for Joy and for the future of Black journalism. The Black Press of America and Black-owned media is needed now just as we were almost 200 years ago.”
    Reid’s departure has drawn immediate criticism from viewers, journalists, and activists. Kevin Simmons, a supporter of The ReidOut, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The racists are rejoicing” after MSNBC announced the show’s cancellation. “The ReidOut had a great run. Joy will be okay. Crazy this announcement comes after she just won two NAACP awards last night.”
    Justice Correspondent Elie Mystal called Reid irreplaceable. “I owe the television part of my career to Joy Reid, as do so many other Black voices y’all never would have heard of if not for her,” Mystal wrote. “And that’s why she’s gone. They can treat Black folks as interchangeable, but everybody Black knows that Joy was indispensable.”
    Many have pointed out that while MSNBC cuts ties with Reid, the network keeps shows like Morning Joe, whose hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski reportedly visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his 2016 victory. The decision to retain programming aligned with political power while eliminating Black voices critical of that power is being viewed as deliberate.
    MSNBC’s move comes as Trump continues targeting the press. He has filed a lawsuit against 60 Minutes, claiming the program manipulated an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump also ordered federal agencies to cancel subscriptions to major outlets, including The New York Times, Politico, and Reuters, cutting public employees off from independent news sources. He has praised Fox News as his administration’s “official” media outlet, further tightening control over the information pipeline.
    Trump has declared that only the president can decide what is lawful—a statement more in line with authoritarianism than constitutional democracy.
    Henry, the NNPA chairman, said the Black community must remain vigilant. “Our collective strength is our greatest asset,” he said. “Let’s stand united for Joy and for the future of Black journalism.”

  • Newswire : Civil Rights Groups sue Trump Administration over Anti-Equity Executive Orders

    Protestors supporting DEI

    By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit today challenging three executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to the groups, the orders threaten civil rights and the ability of organizations to provide vital social and health services. The lawsuit—National Urban League v. Trump—was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It claims that the orders violate the First and Fifth Amendments by targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA) programs, and transgender rights.

    The organizations involved, including the National Urban League (NUL), National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), and AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC), argue that the orders “severely limit organizations’ ability to provide critical services” such as HIV treatment, fair housing support, and employment assistance. These restrictions, they say, disproportionately harm people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those living with HIV.
    Orders in Question

    The lawsuit targets three executive orders signed by President Trump on January 20 and 21:
    Executive Order No. 14151 – Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing
    Executive Order No. 14168 – Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government
    Executive Order No. 14173 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

    Together, these orders terminate equity-related grants and ban federally funded entities from engaging in DEIA efforts or acknowledging transgender identities. Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of LDF described the orders as “unconstitutional attacks on historically marginalized communities,” adding that they “perpetuate false stereotypes and undermine multiracial democracy.” Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director, Jose Abrigo, called the policies “dangerous and dehumanizing,” emphasizing their potential to “put lives at risk” by defunding health services vital to marginalized groups.
    Impact on Communities

    Marc H. Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League, noted that NUL programs have placed over a quarter-million people in jobs over the past decade, often with federal support. “This assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion is discriminatory at best and institutionalized economic oppression at its worst,”
    Morial stated. John Peller, President & CEO of AFC, warned that the orders could impede efforts to combat the HIV epidemic. “We must be able to prioritize Black, Latine, LGBTQ+ people, and transgender women in our work. These executive orders would prohibit us from doing that critical and lifesaving work,” he said. Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the NFHA, described the orders as “chaotic and illegal,” arguing that they dismantle longstanding fair housing protections. “The President cannot undo the Constitution or take away our rights with a signature,” Rice asserted.
    Legal Claims and Relief Sought

    The plaintiffs contend that the executive orders infringe on their free speech by censoring DEIA-related communications, violating due process through vague prohibitions, and discriminating against marginalized groups. They seek declaratory and injunctive relief to halt enforcement of the orders. “These orders drip with contempt for transgender people,” Abrigo said. “Defunding organizations that support marginalized communities punishes them for striving to improve lives.”
    The lawsuit also argued that there are broader consequences of the administration’s actions. “Beyond spreading inaccurate, divisive rhetoric, these orders tie the hands of organizations providing critical services,” Nelson stated. “We stand with our clients to ensure these unconstitutional orders are struck down.”
    A Call to Protect Civil Rights

    Executive orders and lawsuits have come as concerns soar about the rollback of civil rights protections. “Fair housing and equal opportunity are national policies of the United States,” Rice said. “Any effort to divide and treat people unfairly contradicts our founding principles.” The organizations are urging swift judicial intervention to prevent further harm to vulnerable communities. “We cannot allow decades of civil rights progress to be erased,” Nelson declared. For many, the stakes are personal. Will, an AFC program participant living with HIV, shared, “As someone who has relied on these services, I am deeply concerned about what’s at risk if we can’t name the issues our people face.”

  • Newswire : Target caught in DEI crossfire as lawsuits, boycotts, and actions mount

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Target Corporation, which recently scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, is facing financial consequences, community backlash, and new legal challenges from both sides of the political spectrum. The retail giant’s decision to retreat from its DEI commitments and Pride Month merchandise has drawn conservative-led lawsuits while also fueling boycotts and economic pressure from civil rights groups.
    Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and America First Legal, founded by President Trump adviser Stephen Miller, have filed a lawsuit against Target. The suit, brought on behalf of a Florida board overseeing state pensions, alleges the company failed to disclose the financial risks associated with its DEI programs and 2023 Pride Month collection. The legal action is the latest in a wave of conservative attacks on corporate diversity efforts, aligning with former President Donald Trump’s push to dismantle DEI policies in both government and private sectors.
    At the same time, Target’s DEI retreat has provoked backlashes from civil rights groups, Democratic leaders, and even the heirs of one of Target’s founders, who argue that diversity is good business and should not be abandoned under political pressure. The company’s decision to reduce minority hiring targets and discontinue reports to diversity-focused organizations led to an 8.7% drop in its stock value. Data from Placer.ai shows store traffic decreased by 4% following Trump’s executive order banning federal DEI initiatives, with an additional 9% decline the following week. Walmart experienced a dip of less than 3% during the same period.
    In Minneapolis—Target’s headquarters and the city where George Floyd’s murder sparked national protests—civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong urged consumers to boycott the retailer. “We thought Target would stand firm in its values,” Armstrong told reporters at a news conference. “Instead, they bowed to the Trump administration. We will not step back.”
    Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the company should be held accountable for turning its back on DEI. “If you were moved by George Floyd’s murder to seek justice, it’s time to boycott Target,” Hussein told PBS.
    The boycott movement has gained traction, with local Black Lives Matter chapters participating in events where activists cut up their Target credit cards. Organizers have encouraged consumers to shop at companies like Costco, which recently reaffirmed its DEI commitments.
    The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, and civil rights organizations like the NAACP have launched campaigns to inform Black consumers about corporate retreats from diversity initiatives. “Black Americans spend $2 trillion annually. We must reconsider supporting businesses that disregard our contributions,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. vowed that the Black Press would hold corporations accountable. “We will not be silent while corporations reverse progress that directly affects Black communities,” Henry asserted.
    Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, has called for a 40-day “economic fast” targeting Target. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant stated during an appearance on Let It Be Known. “We’re focusing on Target first because of their broken promises to our community.” The campaign, which coincides with Lent, has drawn over 50,000 participants within a week at targetfast.org.

    Target now finds itself under pressure from both conservative and progressive forces. After previously positioning itself as a leader in corporate diversity, the company has been forced into a balancing act that has left it vulnerable on all sides.
    “We encourage you to spend your money where you’re respected, support Black-owned businesses, and demand businesses prioritize people over profit,” said Keisha Bross, financial strategist at the NAACP.

  • Newswire : Trump’s Trade War hits Black America hardest as tariffs drive up costs

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs—25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China—has sent shockwaves through global markets, sparking retaliatory measures from trade partners and raising concerns about the economic strain on American consumers. But for Black Americans, already facing disproportionate financial burdens, the fallout could be devastating.
    “Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!),” Trump said in a statement. “But we will Make America Great Again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid.”
    For many in Black communities, the cost of that “pain” is far from abstract. Chaniqua Jones, a schoolteacher in New York, is already struggling with budget cuts in her district. “First, consider that most of our students struggle with basic necessities like food and shelter, and many tell us that if they can’t work, they can’t eat,” she said. “That and reduced school budgets that we’re already dealing with will hurt more because, something to remember, we can only use one vendor that the Department of Education approves for supplies, and that vendor can charge anything they want, including, if they choose, as much as $10 for a pencil.”
    Jones’ concerns are echoed by business owners, truck drivers, and families who will feel the effects of higher prices in ways the White House appears to have ignored. Jonathan Dolphin, a truck driver from Pennsylvania, sees the changes already. “The trucking industry isn’t the same anymore,” he said. “Hauling heavier loads doesn’t pay us more, and the brokers still charge higher rates. Those people who voted for Trump now have to see how idiotic that was.”
    Fuel prices are among the biggest concerns for working-class Black Americans. Canada, the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S., is now facing a 10% tariff on energy exports. Gas prices in some parts of the country are expected to rise by 30 to 70 cents per gallon, disproportionately impacting on lower-income families who spend a higher percentage of their income on transportation.
    George McKenzie, a wildlife photographer in Florida, has already seen gas prices climbing. “I’m honestly worried about the price of gas and food going up,” he said. “As someone who travels frequently for work, any increase in fuel costs directly affects my livelihood.”
    Existing disparities in Black communities compound the economic damage from the tariffs. The median household income for African Americans in 2023 was $52,860—well below the national median of $74,580. The racial wealth gap, exacerbated by decades of discriminatory housing and employment policies, means Black families have fewer financial reserves to absorb rising costs.
    The tariffs also threaten the already fragile food security in Black communities. The U.S. imports 63% of its vegetables and 47% of its fruits and nuts from Mexico, and tariffs could push grocery prices even higher. Many predominantly Black neighborhoods already struggle with food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food. Higher food costs could worsen the crisis.
    “It’s already expensive to eat healthy where I live,” said Alicia Brown, a 28-year-old mother of two in Chicago’s South Side. “A gallon of milk is already $5. If they start charging more for fresh produce, people are going to have to make tough choices between food and rent.”
    The auto industry, another key economic driver, is also set to take a hit. In 2023, the U.S. imported $69 billion worth of cars and light trucks from Mexico and $37 billion from Canada. Ford F-Series pickups and Mustang sports coupes rely on engines manufactured in Canada. Tariffs on auto parts will drive up costs, adding an estimated $3,000 to the price of some vehicles.
    For Black auto workers in cities like Detroit and Atlanta, job security is now in question. Many automakers are considering layoffs or plant closures if production costs soar. “We’re looking at a repeat of what happened in 2018 when Trump’s first tariffs led to layoffs,” said Maurice Richardson, a 58-year-old autoworker in Michigan. “Except this time, it’s going to be worse.”
    The trade war has already drawn strong pushback from U.S. allies. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump’s move “short-sighted and reckless,” adding, “If he thinks Canada will just sit back and accept these tariffs without response, he is gravely mistaken.” Canada has announced its own retaliatory measures, imposing a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods.
    Mexico, meanwhile, has slammed Trump’s justification for the tariffs, with President Claudia Sheinbaum calling it “an unjustified economic attack.” Mexico has signaled it may retaliate with tariffs on American exports, including corn and soybeans—moves that would further impact U.S. farmers and lead to even higher grocery prices.
    China, the third nation targeted by Trump’s new tariffs, has also vowed to take action. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, warning that “the U.S. has chosen a path of confrontation that will hurt American workers more than anyone else.”
    In Washington, Congress’s response has been swift. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the tariffs. “It would be nice if Donald Trump could start focusing on getting the prices down instead of making them go up,” Schumer stated.
    “All tariffs are not created equal. Donald Trump is aiming his new tariffs at Mexico, Canada, and China, but they will likely hit Americans in their wallets. I am concerned these new tariffs will further drive-up costs for American consumers.”
    The senate leader continued: “We should be focused on going hard against competitors who rig the game, like China, rather than attacking our allies. If these tariffs go into full effect, they will raise prices for everything from groceries to cars, to gas, making it even harder for middle-class families to just get by.”
    The economic storm created by Trump’s trade war is already brewing. The U.S. economy saw inflation drop from its peak in 2022, but analysts now predict a sharp reversal, with costs climbing for everyday necessities. African Americans, who have historically been left behind in economic recoveries, are likely to bear the brunt of the damage.
    “This is what happens when policy is made without thinking about the people who will be most affected,” said Dr. Jamal Reed, a District of Columbia-based economist. “This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s an economic disaster waiting to happen.”

  • Newswire : NFL drops ‘End Racism’ from Super Bowl field, Bows to Trump’s anti-DEI Agenda

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    The NFL has confirmed that it will remove the phrase “End Racism” from the end zones at Caesars Superdome ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, replacing it with the neutral “Choose Love.

    ” The move comes as Donald Trump and his allies escalate attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and major corporations—including the NFL—bend to right-wing pressure. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy defended the decision, claiming the change was tied to recent national tragedies, including wildfires in California, the terrorist attack in New Orleans, and fatal plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

    “‘Choose Love’ is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in Southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia,” McCarthy said.

    The shift comes as Trump prepares to attend the Super Bowl. Since returning to power in January, Trump has aggressively targeted DEI programs, signing an executive order on his first day in office to dismantle diversity initiatives in federal agencies. Last week, following the midair collision of an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., Trump baselessly blamed DEI policies, continuing a pattern of using national tragedies to fuel racist propaganda.
    The NFL’s History of Profiting from Social Justice

    In 2024, approximately 53.5 percent of NFL players and 36.6 percent of assistant coaches were African American. Yet, when racial justice was at the forefront in 2019, the league was at odds with the Movement for Black Lives. To smooth things over, the NFL turned to Jay-Z. That year, after blackballing former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling in protest of police brutality, the NFL announced a partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. The deal gave Roc Nation control over the Super Bowl halftime show, leading to high-profile performances and a star-studded entertainment spectacle each year.
    However, the social justice component of Jay-Z’s partnership has often been forgotten. Critics accused the rapper-turned-mogul of selling out, especially given his history of boycotting corporations he deemed racist. In 1999, Jay-Z refused to attend the Grammys after the award show ignored DMX’s record-breaking success.

    In 2006, he called out luxury brand Cristal for dismissing hip-hop culture and immediately stopped selling the champagne at his 40/40 Club. “It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frédéric Rouzaud, views the ‘hip-hop’ culture as ‘unwelcome attention,’” Jay-Z said at the time,per Decanter magazine. “I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands, including the 40/40 Club, nor in my personal life.”

    Despite Jay-Z’s past activism, many argue his NFL deal did little to advance social justice within the league. In 2022, USA Today’s Mike Freeman wrote, “There isn’t a single, tangible thing you can point to that shows Jay-Z helping with the league’s social justice efforts.”

    The NFL’s Pivot and the Response
    NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s DEI efforts at a press conference Monday, dismissing concerns that the removal of “End Racism” signaled a shift away from diversity. “Our policies have been designed to be well within the law, well within the practice,” Goodell said. “There are no quotas in our system. This is about opening that funnel and bringing the best talent into the NFL.” But critics argue that the NFL is retreating in the face of Trump’s influence. “Guess what @nfl? If you’re against ‘Stop Racism,’ that means you’re FOR… Racism. F–k you and every one of your advertisers,” former ESPN host Keith Olbermann wrote on X.
    Tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the NFL “F…n cowards.”

    Cleveland sports radio host Daryl Ruiter criticized the league’s performative activism, saying, “Sad to see NFL’s performance art, literally on the field, go. Painting slogans on fields was good for business for a bit to show people you at least pretend to care.” NFL reporter Mike Freeman summed up the reaction: “Well, I guess racism is over.”

  • Newswire : Federal workers sue over mass firings as Trump faces legal battles

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    A coalition of civil servants across nine federal agencies has filed a formal complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, alleging the Trump administration terminated them solely because of their probationary status rather than their performance or conduct. The complaint, the first of its kind, was brought before Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, who was reinstated to his position by a federal court after Trump attempted to remove him.
    The filing follows a directive from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management instructing agencies to identify employees without full civil service protections and conduct mass terminations. The complaint states that the suit will eventually cover additional agencies.
    “The vast majority of the American people—more than 90%—believe that civil servants should be promoted based on their merit, not on loyalty. Yet, the Trump administration is seeking to undermine that value by purging non-partisan career civil servants and prioritizing partisan loyalists,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, which is representing the terminated employees.
    “Our civil servants do everything from keeping our food and medicine safe to securing our borders to improving our communities. We will use all legal tools available to protect them from arbitrary firings designed to politicize our government.” Michelle Bercovici, a partner at the Alden Law Group, which joined Democracy Forward in filing the complaint, called the terminations an “unprecedented and grossly unfair circumvention of the merit principles upon which our civil service is based.”
    “These hard-working employees should have the opportunity to let their work speak for itself,” Bercovici said. Two days before the filing of that complaint, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) and a coalition of labor unions sued the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the mass firings. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, contests the dismissal of probationary employees, a deferred resignation strategy aimed at pressuring workers to leave voluntarily, and large-scale reductions in force that violate federal statutes.
    “The Trump administration’s executive actions to gut the federal workforce are not only illegal but will also have damaging consequences for federal employees and the public services they provide,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “The courts must intervene and hold this administration accountable for violating federal laws before it is too late. Federal workers are your friends and neighbors who have dedicated their careers to serving our country. We cannot let the president disrupt their lives and dismantle critical services relied upon by the American people.”
    The lawsuit also accuses the administration of unlawfully undermining Congress’s authority by eliminating federal agencies and positions authorized by the legislative branch. It calls for a ruling declaring the mass terminations and deferred resignation program unlawful.
    “If this administration and Elon Musk truly wanted to make our government more efficient, they would have taken the time to understand that these actions will only lead to chaos and poor service for the American people,” Erwin said. “Instead, they are illegally targeting federal agencies, their missions, and workers to pay for proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. These efforts hurt middle-class Americans who chose to work in service to the public as federal employees. It is unpatriotic and unacceptable.” New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury added, “We stand with our federal workers and are fighting back.”
    In another case, a broad coalition of higher education leaders, restaurant workers, and the City of Baltimore has filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block Trump’s executive orders dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs. The lawsuit, brought by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), the American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC), and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, argues that the orders have already led to grant freezes, job losses, and forced self-censorship. “The president’s executive orders are unconstitutional and seek to bring extreme harm and devastation to anybody or anything that does not share his exact values,” Scott said. “That kind of thinking within itself is un-American, as we are supposed to be in a melting pot where all beliefs and values are respected.”
    NADOHE President and CEO Paulette Granberry Russell called Trump’s actions “an affront to the values that define our nation.” “Our fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion is a fight for justice, and we will not waver,” Russell said. ROC Interim President Teófilo L. Reyes warned that Trump’s efforts to dismantle workplace protections and DEIA programs are unlawful. “The president seeks to create barriers and perpetuate fear rather than promote diverse talent and a stronger workforce,” Reyes said. “But Trump cannot override decades of legal precedent. The Restaurant Opportunities Centers United and our worker members— the majority of whom are women, people of color, and immigrants—will continue to stand together against this unconstitutional political manipulation.”
    Democracy Forward, representing the plaintiffs, called on the courts to intervene. “The president’s executive orders punish millions of Americans simply because the president does not believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “These executive orders penalize not only academic institutions, workplaces, and the various organizations that advocate on their behalf; they will hurt everyone. Terminating funds for federal grantees will have immediate effects by halting critical research and withholding economic support for programs that make our country stronger and more competitive.”
    Separately, FBI agents who investigated Trump have sued the Justice Department, seeking an immediate halt to the administration’s efforts to compile a list of employees involved in probes of the Jan. 6 attack and Trump’s classified documents case. The agents argue that the list is an act of retaliation meant to intimidate personnel and deter future investigations into Trump’s conduct. “The very act of compiling lists of persons who worked on matters that upset Donald Trump is retaliatory in nature, intended to intimidate FBI agents and other personnel and to discourage them from reporting any future malfeasance by Donald Trump and his agents,” the lawsuit states. The complaint cites the Justice Department’s recent firing of prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith’s team as evidence that Trump’s administration targets those involved in investigations against him.

  • Newswire : 27 religious groups sue Trump administration to protect houses of worship from immigration arrests

    Congregants at First Haitian Evangelical Church of Springfield in Ohio on Jan. 26.Luis Andres Henao / AP file

    By The Associated Press

    More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans — ranging from the Episcopal Church and the Union for Reform Judaism to the Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists — filed a federal court lawsuit Tuesday challenging a Trump administration move giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at houses of worship.
    The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services and other valuable church programs. The result, says the suit, infringes on the groups’ religious freedom — namely their ability to minister to migrants, including those in the United States illegally.
    “We have immigrants, refugees, people who are documented and undocumented,” said the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.
    “We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear,” he told The Associated Press. “By joining this lawsuit, we’re seeking the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
    The new lawsuit echoes and expands on some of the arguments made in a similar lawsuit filed Jan. 27 by five Quaker congregations and later joined by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and a Sikh temple. It is currently pending in U.S. District Court in Maryland.
    There was no immediate Trump administration response to the new lawsuit, which names the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies as defendants. However, a memorandum filed Friday by the Department of Justice, opposing the thrust of the Quaker lawsuit, outlined arguments that may also apply to the new lawsuit.
    In essence, the memo contended that the plaintiffs’ request to block the new enforcement policy is based on speculation of hypothetical future harm — and thus is insufficient grounds for issuing an injunction.
    The memo said that immigration enforcement affecting houses of worship had been permitted for decades, and the new policy announced in January simply said that field agents — using “common sense” and “discretion” — could now conduct such operations without pre-approval from a supervisor.
    One part of that memo might not apply to the new lawsuit, as it argued the Quakers and their fellow plaintiffs have no basis for seeking a nationwide injunction against the revised enforcement policy.
    “Any relief in this case should be tailored solely to the named plaintiffs,” said the DOJ memo, contending that any injunction should not apply to other religious organizations.
    The plaintiffs in the new lawsuit represent a vastly larger swath of American worshippers — including more than 1 million followers of Reform Judaism, the estimated 1.5 million Episcopalians in 6,700 congregations nationwide, nearly 1.1 million members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the estimated 1.5 million active members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church — the country’s oldest predominantly Black denomination.
    Among the other plaintiffs are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with more than 3,000 congregations; the Church of the Brethren, with more than 780 congregations; the Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas, encompassing about 1,100 Hispanic Baptist churches; the Friends General Conference, an association of regional Quaker organizations; the Mennonite Church USA, with about 50,000 members; the Unitarian Universalist Association, with more than 1,000 congregations; the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, with more than 500 U.S. congregations; and regional branches of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.
    “The massive scale of the suit will be hard for them to ignore,” said Kelsi Corkran, a lawyer with the Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection who is lead counsel for the lawsuit.
    Prior to the recent Trump administration change, Corkran said immigration agents generally needed a judicial warrant or other special authorization to conduct operations at houses of worship and other “sensitive locations” such as schools and hospitals.
    “Now it’s go anywhere, any time,” she told the AP. “Now they have broad authority to swoop in — they’ve made it very clear they’ll get every undocumented person.”
    She cited a recent incident in which a Honduran man was arrested outside his family’s Atlanta-area church while a service was being held inside.
    The lawsuit includes details from some of the plaintiffs as to how their operations might be affected. The Union for Reform Judaism and the Mennonites, among others, said many of their synagogues and churches host on-site foodbanks, meal programs, homeless shelters and other support services for undocumented people who might now be fearful of participating.
    One of the plaintiffs is the Latino Christian National Network, which seeks to bring together Latino leaders with different traditions and values to collaborate on pressing social issues. The network’s president is the Rev. Carlos Malavé, a pastor of two churches in Virginia, who described to the AP what network members are observing.
    “There is deep-seated fear and distrust of our government,” he said. “People fear going to the store, they are avoiding going to church. … The churches are increasingly doing online services because people fear for the well-being of their families and children.”
    The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which leads the nation’s largest denomination, did not join the lawsuit, though it has criticized Trump’s migration crackdown. On Tuesday, Pope Francis issued a major rebuke to the deportation plan, warning that the forceful removal of people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their inherent dignity and “will end badly.”

  • “Target stores are the first target” NNPA Launches National Public Education and Selective Buying Campaign,

    Washington, DC: The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, has announced the planning and implementation of a national public education and selective buying campaign across the nation in direct response to those corporate entities that have dismantled their respective Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, programs and staffing. NNPA Chairman Emeritus Danny Bakewell Sr. explained, “Now is the time for the Black Press of America once again to emphatically speak and publish truth to power.”

    “We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” stated NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. “The Black Press of America continues to remain on the frontline keeping our families and communities informed and engaged on all the issues that impact our quality of life.”

    At a recent convening of NNPA member publishers and editors, a united resolve was reached that each member publication of the NNPA will begin a national public education campaign coupled with the release of research data on those America companies that are engaging in efforts to sanction racial injustice, inequitable polices, divisive leadership, and economic apartheid in America.

    “We note forthrightly that Black Americans spend $2 trillion dollars annually as consumers of products and services throughout the United States,” NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. emphasized. “We now must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us,” Chavis continued. “This now must come to an end. These contradictions will not go unchallenged by 50 million Black Americans who have struggled for centuries to ensure equality, fairness and inclusion in our nation’s democracy.”

    A selective buying campaign involves exercising the right to select what we spend our money on and who we spend our money with. We are starting with targeting TARGET.

    The following are some of the major American companies that have publicly retreated from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

    TARGET  Lowe’s  John Deere, Walmart  Meta  Tractor Supply, Amazon,  McDonald’s and  Ford

    The Greene County Democrat is a member of the NNPA and prints this notice,  from the Philadelphia Tribune, which has more details on the DEI deniers, as the start of a national campaign to educate the public and encourage a selective buying campaign to withdraw our support from these companies.

    In the interest of fairness, the Democrat prints this list of major companies that have
    decided to continue their ‘diversity equity and inclusion’ initiatives: COSTCO, JPMORGAN CHASE, GOLDMAN SACHS, DELTA AIRLINES, APPLE, MICROSOFT, PINTEREST, and elf Cosmetics.

    We are counting on you our readers to target TARGET, by not buying from them! Tell your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others!