The USDA has halted several million dollar’s worth of food deliveries to waiting food banks as a part of another cost-cutting measure by the overly aggressive cost-cutting Trump administration. If I refuse to pay my phone, bill it doesn’t mean I’m saving money; it means I’m neglecting my responsibilities, and for months, Trump and his wayward band of sycophants have been cutting vital programs but always seem to have money for Trump’s golf outings. As it stands, Trump’s golf trips have cost U.S. taxpayers some $18 million since he was sworn into office. Well now, Politico is reporting that the Agriculture Department has stopped “millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food banks without explanation, according to food bank leaders in six states.” According to the news site, the USDA had already allotted $500 million to six food banks for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and now, that money has been canceled.
From Politico: The halting of these deliveries, first reported by POLITICO, comes after the Agriculture Department separately axed two other food programs, ending more than $1 billion in planned federal spending for schools and food banks to purchase from local farmers.
USDA did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The collective cuts are expected to make it more difficult for food banks to meet families’ needs, with food prices now 20 percent higher than they were in 2020, food bank leaders say.
“I certainly look at our lines and look at our shelves and say we need some relief,” said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, which also reported canceled deliveries with no indication they would resume. A delivery of 500,000 pounds of food to the Central California Food Bank, which would have lasted from April through July and cost $850,000, has been stopped. Jean Rykaczewski, Executive Director of the West Alabama Food Bank in Tuscaloosa, Alabama affirmed that several USDA programs providing food for her clients had been cancelled. She said, “we are raising funds from other sources so we can still buy produce from local farmers to distribute at our food bank.” Cathy Kanefsky, president of the Food Bank of Delaware, told Politico “that between 20 to 24 full truckloads of food were canceled for the next four months.” As usual, the Trump administration is simply taking money meant to feed people going through difficult times so they can spend it someplace else. The irony is that $148 million of the allotted $500 million was to be spent with farmers to buy “dairy products, eggs, blueberries and more.” “USDA has not yet announced plans to move forward with the canceled food orders,” the email from Feeding America sent to its food bank networks read, Politico reports. “We believe the best approach is for network members to work through state agencies to obtain clarification from USDA.” But if the states could afford to feed those in need, they wouldn’t need federal help. “We can try to figure out how to make up the gaps, which is a hard lift, or ultimately there’s less food on the table,” Chad Morrison, president of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Food Bank, told Politico.
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, issued a sharp rebuke of the current administration’s handling of sensitive national security matters following recent reports that high-level officials used encrypted messaging apps to discuss active military operations.
“If what is reported is true, it certainly suggests they are engaged in outright, recklessly irresponsible behaviors,” Chukwu said in a telephone interview with BlackPressUSA.com. “This could be a direct threat to our national security.”
American Oversight, a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog dedicated to transparency and accountability, is monitoring the situation closely. Chukwu expressed serious concern over the administration’s apparent lack of oversight and protocols in protecting classified information, particularly the use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal to communicate sensitive war plans.
“This should never have happened in the first instance,” Chukwu said. “They’re using encrypted messaging apps in a way to conceal information from the public, and the only reason we even know about it is because they accidentally included a journalist, with the Atlantic Magazine,—who thankfully did the right thing by informing the public.”
Chukwu noted that as many as 18 senior officials were reportedly involved in these discussions, which she described as “incredibly unusual, highly unusual, unprecedented.”
She warned that the misuse of encrypted platforms for high-level national security conversations creates a vulnerability that foreign actors could exploit.
“There have been state-backed hackers who are trying to access information,” Chukwu explained. “If a single bad actor is able to get access, that certainly compromises our national security. Their secrecy does nothing to protect our country—it endangers us by keeping critical and sensitive decisions off the record and out of reach from oversight.”
Chukwu also criticized what she called a broader erosion of oversight mechanisms. “We have a Congress that refuses to act. We have an administration that has done everything in its power to gut all oversight mechanisms,” she said. “That’s why organizations like American Oversight are more important than ever. Without transparency, there can be no accountability.”
She connected the current administration’s behavior to previous failures related to national security, referencing the ongoing legal battle over access to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents during his first term.
“Right now, American Oversight has a lawsuit seeking records related to Volume Two of the Jack Smith special counsel report,” Chukwu said. “We’ve been blocked from accessing those records because Judge Aileen Cannon refuses to lift her order. The Trump-era DOJ has made it clear that they never wanted that report to see the light of day.”
She said that transparency in that report could help illuminate a pattern of disregard for national security protocols, both past and present.
Finally, Chukwu addressed a lingering question sparked by the most recent breach: If a journalist can be accidentally looped into discussions about war planning, can the public trust this administration to safeguard national security?
“That is a question Americans should be very concerned about,” Chukwu said. “The reckless disregard and the lack of concern that was shown by adding a journalist to a message chain containing highly sensitive, potentially classified information suggest that Americans should not trust this administration with highly classified in
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its shifting DEI policies.
Separate but powerful actions from Black-led organizations and faith leaders have intensified pressure on the company. Rev. Jamal Bryant launched a national Target Fast, calling for continued community mobilization. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the NAACP initiated public education and selective buying campaigns. While distinct in approach, the collective efforts have amplified scrutiny and economic consequences for Target. “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard,” said Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”
Early data from analytics firms Placer.ai and Numerator confirms a decline in consumer support. Numerator found that Black and Hispanic households are reducing their visits to Target at the highest rates. Placer.ai reported that on the national blackout day last month, Target saw an 11 percent decline in store traffic compared to average Friday visits. Since the company’s January 24 DEI reversal, Placer.ai data shows Target’s overall foot traffic has fallen every week. In contrast, Costco has gained ground. The warehouse chain rejected a shareholder proposal to weaken its diversity programs and stayed firm in its DEI stance. Analysts say Costco’s consistency and longstanding commitment to high wages and strong employee benefits may attract consumers frustrated with Target’s retreat. Costco’s shares have outperformed those of Walmart and Target over the same period. Walmart has also seen a dip in foot traffic, though not as sharp as Target. While grassroots boycotts are not always financially damaging in the long term, Target’s situation may prove different. “Boycotts put a ‘negative spotlight’ on the company that can have reputational consequences,” Brayden King, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, told Forbes. He noted that consumer trust, closely tied to corporate reputation, plays a critical role in shopping habits. In addition to its woes, Target issued a string of recalls in 2025 involving products sold on shelves due to undeclared allergens and injury hazards. Affected items included Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, Dorel Safety 1st Comfort Ride and Magic Squad child car seats, Nuby stroller fans, Baby Joy highchairs, Chomps beef and turkey sticks, and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix. Rev. Bryant said Target Fast has now mobilized more than 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their products from Target. He urged continued focus and unity in holding the company accountable. “It is critical that Black people can’t afford to get A.D.D; we can’t taper off and lose synergy. It’s important that people stay the course and keep amplifying our voices because it is being heard from Wall Street to Main Street,” Bryant said. He added, “No, I’m now committed and grateful.”
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Editor’s Note: The Publishers of the Democrat, after reading this article, decided to contact people and organizations in Greene County to join this protest to resist the policies and actions of the Trump Administration. We are suggesting a picket line in front of the Eutaw Post Office on Saturday, April 5 from 10;00 AM to Noon. Join us, bring your own sign. Call 205-372-3373 or 205-657-0273 with suggestions and for more information.
Tens of thousands of people in the United States and around the world are preparing to take to the streets on Saturday, April 5, in what organizers are calling the largest single day of protest since Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term. With more than 600 events planned across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and multiple international cities, the message is unified and urgent: Hands off our rights, our resources, and our democracy. In London, demonstrators will gather in Trafalgar Square from 3 to 5 p.m. BST, joining the movement alongside Americans, Canadians, Brits, and others from around the world. “They’re threatening to invade Canada, Greenland, and Panama—and daring the world to stop them. Well, this is the world saying NO,” organizers said. “This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.” Back in the United States, the centerpiece protest is scheduled for Washington, D.C., where thousands are expected to convene at the Washington Monument at noon for a massive rally on the National Mall. Organizers say the protests are a response to Trump and congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut essential programs like healthcare, Social Security, public education, and civil rights protections—moves that have sparked nationwide outrage. “This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies,” organizers in D.C. said. “Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.” Demonstrations are planned from coast to coast in cities including Buffalo, New York; Columbus, Georgia; Hollywood, Florida; Guilford, Connecticut; York, Pennsylvania; Ames, Iowa; Conroe, Texas; and throughout California, where organizers are uniting for large-scale actions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. From early morning rallies to afternoon marches, the protests will take many forms—town halls, digital campaigns, and street demonstrations—all grounded in a commitment to nonviolent resistance. Organizers say the April 5 movement builds on growing frustration with the Trump administration’s agenda. The Crowd Counting Consortium reported over 2,085 protests nationwide in February 2025, a sharp rise from the 937 recorded in February 2017. During a recent week-long congressional recess, more than 500 events were held across the country, often in districts where elected officials avoided meeting constituents. At the core of the message is a defense of everyday Americans and the systems they depend on. “We stand with people of color and all those being stripped of their basic human and civil rights,” Buffalo organizers stated. “We stand with our educational institutions, and the countless faculty, researchers, and students that are being subjected to arbitrary political litmus tests, uncertainty, and censorship in their work.” From London to Los Angeles, from the National Mall to Niagara Square, April 5 is shaping up to be a defining day of resistance against what demonstrators call an authoritarian power grab that threatens the very fabric of democracy. “We’re not waiting for someone to save us,” D.C. organizers said. “We’re taking action ourselves.”
Homes of Maurice Fulgham, Delois Morrow and Spiver Gordon on CR 181
According to Mr. Hodges Smith, Director of Greene County Emergency Management Administration, the National Weather Service recorded a F1 Tornado damaged multiple homes and other structures and property in the Mantua community, Saturday March 15, 2025. Smith stated that the Red Cross is in the area to provide immediate assistance to individuals affected by the storm. “I am sending in my data to the State Officials who will determine if there is sufficient damage in our community to issue a FEMA Declaration, but that assessment can take weeks,” he said.
Photo No. 1 (cutline) : John Zippert, Co-publisher of the Greene County Democrat and Chair of the Board of the Greene County Health Sysytem speaks about healthcare issues at
Photo No.2 (Cutline). From right to left: Allison Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice; Faya Touré, American civil rights activist and lawyer; John Zippert, board chair of Greene County Hospital/Greene County Health System; Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP; Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).; Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families; Juan Proaño, chief executive officer of the League of United Latin American Citizens; Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center; and Martha Morgan, professor emerita of law at the University of Alabama School of Law.
As our nation commemorated the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, national and state leaders, civil rights organizations, and community advocates convened in Selma, Alabama, for a powerful and urgent discussion about protecting democracy and advancing civil rights in the face of unprecedented threats.
The event, “Saving Democracy: Our Civil Rights Strategies for this Unprecedented Moment,” was co-hosted by Hank Sanders and Faya Rose Touré (The Bridge Crossing Jubilee), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and a coalition of national and local organizations. The convening reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to defending democracy and mobilizing against voter suppression, attacks on civil rights, and systemic barriers to justice.
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: “As we confront an onslaught of attacks from our own federal government on the very civil and human rights it is obligated to protect and uphold, we are working united and unwavering against the attacks on our freedom and potential. This regime is abusing power — violating laws and dismantling its role as a shield — to turn the government into a weapon against us. They are stripping resources from our schools, our health care, and kids who can’t afford college, all while trying to discourage us from using our voice to make demands of the government.
These efforts to erase our progress and dismantle our civil rights are direct attacks on our power to shape our future and ensure opportunities for our families. The promised land is not a promise, and democracy is a demand. Real power starts in our communities. When we organize locally, build coalitions, and mobilize for change, we create the foundation for national progress. Our coalition knows this is a fight for the promise of America and a multiracial democracy that works for all of us, not just a powerful few. Just as those who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge 60 years ago showed us, when we organize and join together, we can face anything. Our coalition will continue that fight until freedom is won.”
Hank Sanders, Founder of the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee: “We have to know our strengths if we are to engage effectively in this great struggle to maintain and improve this imperfect democracy. We know that we have been through greater struggles with less resources and triumphed. We must remember that we are not just in a terrible storm but going through the storm. There is something better on the other side. Know your strengths!”
Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center: “At a time when our nation’s president incredulously tries to undo baseline civil rights protections and stoke fear in anyone fighting for justice, it is critical we double down on our commitment to gender and racial equality. We must not turn our backs on decades of progress secured by people who risked their lives fighting for equality, freedom and a fair shot for all. Diversity, equity and inclusion are not dirty words — and we will continue to challenge a president desperate to normalize racism and misogyny throughout his administration.”
Derrick Johnson, president & chief executive officer of the NAACP: “Selma is a physical reminder of the history that must inform our future. No matter who occupies the Oval Office or holds the gavel on Capitol Hill, the NAACP will not accept regression as our reality. I was proud to stand alongside our colleagues in the fight for civil rights to remind us that race is merely a tool to distract from the perils of power, hungriness, and greed. We cannot be distracted. We must remain determined. Let’s continue the work to ensure democracy truly works for everybody.”
Juan Proaño, chief executive officer of the League of United Latin American Citizens(LULAC): “LULAC’s fight for voting rights and immigrant justice is a fight for our democracy. On the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, we’re reminded that the same forces that once attacked Black Americans’ votes now target the Latino vote and vilify immigrants. LULAC stands strong, ensuring minority voices and power are felt in every election. We will not stand by as ICE and Border Patrol invade our schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The SAVE Act and attacks on sensitive locations are tools of intimidation meant to silence us. We will not back down. We’ll fight these policies in court, protest in the streets, and hold those responsible accountable. Our right to vote, learn, earn, heal, and pray is non-negotiable. The time to act is now.”
Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families: “The ability to access high quality, affordable health care shapes every aspect of our lives, from our physical wellbeing to our economic security to our sense of personal freedom and dignity. Yet, the Trump administration is systematically attacking our health care system by enacting massive cuts to federal agencies, making it harder to collect information on health disparities, targeting programs like Medicaid that provide care to those in greatest need, and undermining abortion access. Our calls to action — to consistently make clear that health care is a civil rights issue; lift up the stories of the people who are harmed when they cannot access much-needed care; push policymakers to mandate the collection of data that can show racial, gender, and other disparities and to make infrastructure investments for more health care facilities; and proclaim that health care should never be treated as a precious resource that is only available to the privileged and the wealthy.”
Martha Morgan, professor emerita of law at the University of Alabama School of Law and member of the steering committee of SOS (Saving OurSelves Movement for Justice and Democracy): “In Alabama, the attacks on democracy and justice are ongoing and groups like SOS are issuing calls to action to continue defending our rights in the field of education. In 2024, the Republican controlled legislature enacted laws aimed at the heart of both higher education and K-12. First, it banned public funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and restricted the teaching of so-called ‘divisive concepts’ at all public colleges and universities. Public colleges and universities responded by ending or recasting their DEI programs and closing campus spaces for student groups. The ACLU of Alabama and the Legal Defense Fund have filed a lawsuit on behalf of several courageous professors and students at University of Alabama campuses, and the NAACP and the legal battle is underway. A second 2024 law guts funding for K-12 education by allowing families to receive $7,000 to send their children to private school and $2,000 for children who are homeschooled.”
John Zippert, board chair of the Greene County Health System in Eutaw, Alabama and SOS Steering Committee member: “For the past ten years we have been struggling with the Governor and the Alabama Legislature to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to 300,000 low-income working people. Now our small rural hospital, nursing home and physician’s clinic faces the Trump Administration’s plan to cut $880 billion from Medicaid. This will further reduce our facility’s income. Every one of the 38 people we currently have in our Nursing Home is supported by Medicaid. Will we have to put these aging Americans, Black and White, into the streets? A reduction in the Medicaid and Medicare already low reimbursements will likely force us to close our facility, creating greater healthcare hardships for rural people in our communities.”
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
The Greene County Board of Education met in regular session Monday, March 17, 2025 with all members present except Ms. Carrie Dancy. Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones began his report to the board with a summary of the recent Financial/Budget Presentation shared at the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) Annual Spring Conference held in Florence, AL, February 27-28, 2025. Board President Leo Branch and board member Robert Davis also attended the conference.
Dr. Jones noted that the invitation from AASB was an opportunity to showcase the team work that is needed to operate a school system, especially the financial component. “A key component is building relationships and trust in budgeting and finances, Dr. Jones said.
The presentation, entitled Proactive vs Reactive Budgeting – Navigating Financial Stability Post-ESSER, contained the following elements:
* Proactive budgeting requires proper planning, staying in control of resources. Reactive budgeting is responding to events or problems as they occur, often in a crisis.
Necessary to focus on the importance of controlling funds for long-term benefits.
Building relationships and trust in budgeting and finances. “ Our District prioritizes involvement with all stakeholders when developing a budget and maintaining financial health, he said.
Superintendent Jones’ report showed that the school district received over $9 million in ESSER Funds from 2022-2024. The final funds expired September 30, 2024 with the district utilizing the entire amount to upgrade curriculum tools including additional instructional staff for intervention and providing smart boards and hotspots for students; upgrading facilities including a new HVÅÇ system for Robert Brown Middle School and providing students with air conditioned buses. Jones said that many benefits were gained from ESSER Funding, but the District now focuses on a sustainable future.
Dr. Jones also gave an overview of the ACAP Practice Test in Reading and Math for the 4th through 8th grades. The practice test indicate instructional areas teachers and administrators must focus on to assure students’ improvement and success. The ACAP Test are scheduled for April.
CSFO Marquita Lennon provided the Financial Snapshot for the period ending February 28, 2025. The operating reserves totaled 7.98 months and the cash reserves totaled 7.70 months. All bank accounts have been reconciled. The general fund budget totaled $8,120,338.91. (This reconciles to the summary cash report). Accounts payable check register totaled $389,641.42; Payroll register totaled $939,400.36, with the combined ending fund balanced totaling $8,424,516.40. In local revenues, property taxes totaled $71,136.85; sales taxes $97,201.68; other taxes $12,641.27; Amendment 743, $60,000. Local revenue totaled $240,979.80.
The board approved on e personnel item recommended by the superintendent- the retirement of Mrs. Angela White, Career and Technical Counselor at Greene County Career Center, effective February 28, 2025.
The following administrative items were approved by the board.
* Permission to sell used district office chairs at $15 each and to dispose of salvage chairs.
* Retroactive approval for March 10, 2025, quote from Uniti Fiber to upgrade and install 49 network switches at EPS and RBMS in the amount of $38,617.31. (FY 2025-2026 E-Rate Mini Bid. Optional equipment not accepted as part of the bid).
* Air travel and overnight stay for chaperones and two students to attend the National DECA Competition in Orlando, FL April 26 – 29, 2025.
* Travel to SREB Conference in New Orleans, July 15-18, 2025, for 10 faculty/staff (to be paid from CCR Grant; 11 faculty/staff to be paid from federal funds.
* Travel for Shamyra Jones to attend JAG National Training Seminar in Louisville, KY, July 14-18, 2025.
* Science textbook adoption (6 years).
* Quote from Savvas Learning Company to purchase science textbooks, Grades K-12 in the amount of $130,790.63 (6-year purchase).
* Permission to sell three Transportation Department vehicles as is by sealed bids
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
* School Calendar 2025 – 2026.
* Contract between the Greene County School system and Alicia Hodge-Scott/Educate to Excellence LLC, to provide special education services to the Greene County School System for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
* FY 2025 Special Education Teacher Supplement per guidelines outlined by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Raised in the Black Belt city of Eutaw, Alabama, Kimberly Atkins built a successful career in accounting and real estate. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with an accounting concentration from Auburn University and an MBA from Auburn University Montgomery. She has over 12 years of accounting experience in both private and government sectors. Kimberly began her entrepreneurial journey in 2017 with the launch of ABT Financial Solutions. The company’s goal is to help clients reach financial freedom through empowering them with financial literacy and independence. In 2020, Kimberly expanded into real estate by starting Dreams to Reality Realty, successfully flipping houses and acquiring rental properties. Her passion lies in restoring old properties and transforming communities. Grounded in faith and supported by family, Kimberly remains dedicated to growing her businesses and uplifting small cities like her hometown. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with loved ones. We proudly recognize Kimberly for her contributions to the community and for paving the way for women after her. Kimberly Atkins is the daughter of Willie and Mattie Atkins of Eutaw. She is a graduate of Greene County High School.
Teresa Atkins
With a strong commitment to preparing students for success, Teresa serves as the Career and Technical Education Director at Greene County Career Center. Under her leadership, the center has expanded hands-on learning opportunities, strengthened industry partnerships, and programs to enhance career readiness. She is passionate about workforce development in rural communities, ensuring students have access to skills training and real-world experiences. In addition to her role in education, Teresa is a multi-business entrepreneur with a deep commitment to family and community. She is actively involved in her family’s business, Uncle Willie’s BBQ Sauce, helping to grow the brand through sales, marketing, and business development. She is also the founder of Broad Horizons Travel, a travel agency offering curated vacations, cruise preparation, and travel consultations while expanding a network of independent travel agents. Faith is central to Teresa’s journey, guiding her work and personal mission. Her passion for faith inspired Journey with God, a brand featuring Christian journals, devotionals, and apparel. She has authored multiple books, including Walking in Purpose: Building a Christ-Centered Business and Worthy & Loved: Embracing Your Singleness While Preparing for Marriage. As a devoted mother to her 8-year-old son, Caleb, Teresa prioritizes faith and family. Through education, entrepreneurship, and faith, Teresa continues to inspire, uplift, and create lasting change in her community. Teresa is a 1998 graduate of Eutaw High School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Alabama A&M University and went on to obtain a Master of Education in Family and Consumer Sciences from Iowa State University. Continuing her pursuit of educational excellence, she earned an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University and is currently enrolled in the doctoral program at Samford University in Educational and Organizational Leadership. Teresa is the daughter of Willie and Mattie Atkins of Eutaw.
Lagos, Nigeria, is projected to become the world’s largest city by the end of the century with an estimated population of 100 million people.Ontario Tech University in Canada predicted Lagos could outstrip Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai to become the most densely populated urban area globally. In addition, 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities will be in Africa because of Africa’s high birthrate, and people are seeking tech jobs.Currently, Lagos, home to approximately 20 million residents, holds the title of Africa’s largest city. There are more than 250 ethnic groups in Lagos including the Hausa, Igbo, and Fulani. Small minorities of American, British, East Indian, Chinese, white Zimbabwean, Greek, Syrian, Lebanese and Japanese are also present in the city. In the mid-19th century, many ex-slaves of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban descent and emigrants from Sierra Leone created communities in Lagos, along with ex-slaves from the Americas.Until 1975 it was the capital of Lagos state, and until December 1991 it was the federal capital of Nigeria. Ikeja replaced Lagos as the state capital, and Abuja replaced Lagos as the federal capital. Lagos, however, remained the unofficial seat of many government agencies.
But Lagos has its problems.
Two-thirds of residents in this megacity live below the poverty line of US$1 a day, and it’s estimated that over 70% live in informal settlements. These settlements are prone to evictions because they occupy land that is increasingly becoming targeted for high-value property development projects. As a result, at least 50,000 people have been forcibly evicted from these areas in a violent four-year campaign by Lagos State authorities and police, leaving many dead and tens of thousands homeless.
It’s one thing to say that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives give an unfair advantage to people of color inside organizations; it’s a gross overstep to use DEI as an excuse to purge the existence of notable Black, Hispanic, and veteran women from Arlington National Cemetery — which is exactly what the Trump administration has done. According to MSNBC, the final resting place for some 400,000 soldiers has scrubbed its website of the gravesites of notable “prominent minority veterans, as well as educational pages on the Civil War, African American history and women’s history.” They have also removed all language about diversity and inclusion and placed some pertinent information about extraordinary people of color under different categories that don’t mention race or gender because the Trump administration hates history that makes white people look bad. Seriously, why else would they want to stop teachings on African American history or the Civil Rights Movement, all information that was once on the Arlington cemetery’s web pages until the Trump administration war on DEI? There used to be a section on Black war heroes, and that page is no longer there because god forbid some Black child sees these powerful images and thinks that maybe he could be a pilot or a Marine one day. The cemetery is not entirely at fault. A spokesperson for the Arlington National told the Washington Post that they are just trying to adhere to Donald Trump’s policies after confirming that the webpages of “Notable Graves” of Black, Hispanic, and female veterans were taken down. Because Donald Trump and his brood of white cis-gendered men hate diversity, they hate anyone who doesn’t look like them, and they are working diligently to erase years of progress under the guise of “Making America Great Again,” which is really just a synonym for white. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that he’s getting rid of “wokeness” in the military but showcasing the work of people of color in the Armed Forces isn’t “woke,” unless “wokeness” means people of color (I admit that I don’t know what wokeness means now that it’s been bastardized by MAGA). MSNBC notes that one of Donald Trump’s first firings when taking office was to get rid of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown, a Black man, and one of the most highly decorated officers and replaced him with a white cis-gendered man. He also pushed out “Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the head of the U.S. Navy and the first woman to lead any branch of the armed forces.” Her firing left the armed forces without any 4-star female commanders. Since being confirmed as defense secretary, Hegseth noted that he believes the dumbest phrase in the military is “Our strength is in our diversity.” So clearly he was for a ban on all cultural heritage celebrations, “including Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day,” MSNBC reports. Oh and in case you wanted to clear up any doubt, yes, they are looking to ban trans people from serving in the military. And get this: After scrubbing the Pentagon of some 26,000 images that showed veterans of diverse races and identities, they also took down an image of a World War II B-29 aircraft that dropped the world’s first and only atomic bomb on Hiroshima because it was named “Enola Gay.”
