Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
|
|
1. Vice President Harris: The Light of America’s Promise Will Long Burn Bright
4 MINUTE READ
What You Need to Know:
Vice President Kamala Harris may not have been the perfect candidate, but neither was her opponent. What she was, what she is, is the best example of our time. She is the woman my mother told me I had to be to survive in this world, not just good, but better, best.
Kamala Harris, a daughter of immigrants from foreign lands, a proud alum and member of a historically Black university and sorority, stepped up to help her boss and her country when they needed her.
With little time, just over 100 days, backed by a campaign staff not of her choosing, she ran for her life in an effort to help our lives.
Weeping may endure for more than a night, but it is the profound hope of yours truly that the memories of the joy of this woman and her campaign brought, will live on this morning and many more to come. Thank you, Madame Vice President. This is the transcript of her speech delivered on the campus of her Alma Mater, Howard University, Wednesday afternoon:
Kamala Harris:
“Good afternoon. Thank you all, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. So let me say, and I love you back. And I love you back. So let me say, my heart is full today. My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve. The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright. As long as we never give up, and as long as we keep fighting.
To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Doctor Biden, thank you for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know your service to our nation will continue. And to my extraordinary team, to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves, to the poll workers and the local election officials, I thank you, I thank you all.
Look, I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future. And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.
Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with president-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power. A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny. And anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it.
At the same time, in our nation, we owe loyalty, not to a president or a party, but to the Constitution of the United States, and loyalty to our conscience and to our God. My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. The fight, the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation. The ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up. I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspiration is where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do. We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence. And America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld. And we will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square. And we will also wage it in quieter ways, in how we live our lives, by treating one another with kindness and respect, by looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neighbor, by always using our strength to lift people up, to fight for the dignity that all people deserve.
The fight for our freedom will take hard work. But like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work, and the fight for our country is always worth it. It is always worth it. To the young people who are watching, it is, I love you. To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be okay. On the campaign, I would often say when we fight, we win. But here’s the thing. Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is don’t ever give up, don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. You have power and don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before. You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world.
And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together. Look, many of you know, I started out as a prosecutor, and throughout my career I saw people at some of the worst times in their lives, people who had suffered great harm and great pain and yet found within themselves the strength and the courage and the resolve to take the stand, to take a stand, to fight for justice, to fight for themselves, to fight for others. So let their courage be our inspiration. Let their determination be our charge.
And I’ll close with this. There’s an adage an historian once called a law of history, true of every society across the ages. The adage is only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America. I thank you all, may God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. I thank you all.”
(SOURCE: GLOBAL NEWS) |
2. Hurricane Rafael Barrels Toward Cuba 3 MINUTE READ What You Need to Know:
Hurricane Rafael barreled toward Cuba on Wednesday, forecast to make landfall in western Cuba as a major Category 3 hurricane that forecasters warn could bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash floods.
Thousands of people in the west of the island were evacuated as a prevention measure before Rafael was expected to slam into Cuba on Wednesday after dumping rain on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.
Classes and public transport were suspended on parts of the island as authorities issued an alarm for the incoming weather for the west of the country. Workers secured buildings and cleaned up garbage along Havana’s coastline in preparation for floods.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” warned the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Rafael — currently classified as a Category 2 hurricane — was located about 60 miles (95 kilometers) east-southeast of the Isle of Youth and around 130 miles (205 kilometers) south-southeast of Havana Wednesday. It had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) and was moving northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), according to the center.
Forecasters expected the storm to later weaken over Cuba before emerging in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane.
Cubans have already been struggling with blackouts while recovering from another hurricane two weeks ago that killed at least six people in the eastern part of the island.
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, offering departure flights to non-essential staff and American citizens, and advising others to “reconsider travel to Cuba due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Rafael.”
On Tuesday morning, the Cuban Civil Defense called on Cubans to prepare as soon as possible, because when the storm makes landfall “it’s important to stay where you are.”
A hurricane warning was in effect on Wednesday for a portion of the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Ciego de Avila, as well as the lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and Dry Tortugas.
The storm on Tuesday knocked out power in parts of Jamaica and unleashed flooding and landslides. The Jamaica Public Service, the island’s electricity provider, said in a statement late Tuesday that impassable roads were preventing crews from restoring power in some areas.
Meanwhile, crews in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac were expected to fan out early Wednesday to assess damage after a direct hit late Tuesday.
(SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS) |
PHOTO: BLACK HEALTH MATTERS |
3. Build a Better Diabetes Diet
1 MINUTE READ
What You Need to Know:
A diabetes diet means eating the healthiest foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular mealtimes. It’s a healthy-eating plan naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Key elements are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In fact, a diabetes diet is the best eating plan for most everyone. It is especially good for African Americans, who have high rates of type 2 diabetes. We are twice as likely to develop the disease and to die from it as white Americans.
Why do you need to develop a healthy-eating plan? If you have diabetes or prediabetes, your doctor will likely recommend that you see a dietitian to help you develop a healthy-eating plan. The plan helps you control your blood sugar, manage your weight and control heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high blood fats.
When you eat extra calories and fat, your body creates an undesirable rise in blood glucose. If blood glucose isn’t kept in check, it can lead to serious problems, such as a high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) that, if persistent, may lead to long-term complications, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage.
(READ MORE) (SOURCE: BLACK HEALTH MATTERS) |
4. Where Do We Go From Here?
CONTRIBUTED BY COY MALONE 2 MINUTE READ What You Need to Know:
We put in a good fight.
We educated everyone on what the outcome of this election means.
We gave real-time examples of the consequences suffered due to policies implemented.
And yet, people STILL voted for Donald Trump.
What were their reasons? Lower food and gas prices, stimulus checks, and an economic plan supposedly making us all richer.
So, money is more important than Amber Thurman and other birthing mothers who need life-saving medical treatment during a birth complication?
What more do we have to do as Black people to finally get others to understand that the next four years we’re about to endure will not be ok for our community?
I am FLOORED at the number of people who are celebrating a convicted felon becoming president while simultaneously ridiculing other convicted felons for their crimes and mocking them for not having any say in politics.
God doesn't makes mistakes, but people do.
I just had a Black man tell me that he voted for Trump because he's not a woman and he's never been to jail, so none of Trump's policies affects him. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!
How do we recover from this? What do we do if most of the freedoms, rights, and provisions we fought for are lost? We continue fighting. We continue advocating. We continue to vote in every election.
In the meantime, I suggest you all utilize every benefit that was given during Biden’s administration before it’s undone. For example, if you still have student loan payments, get them forgiven now!
I’m creating my own economic plan. I’m saving money and making investments. I’m sticking to my holistic approach to my healthcare needs as a woman. If I decide to have a child, I will consider giving birth in another state or country, should my rights as a woman be revoked.
The risk is too great to sit back and roll with the punches. I will continue advocating, but I will also prepare for a rainy day. By the looks of it, we have 1,460 of those days to get through. |
5. The Hidden Mental Health Crisis: Psychological and Mental Health Impacts of the Changing Climate 2 MINUTE READ What You Need to Know:
There is broad recognition that our nation is facing a mental health crisis, but what is less widely recognized is the definitive role a changing climate is playing in creating and exacerbating this crisis. Recently, the southeastern United States has endured two catastrophic hurricanes. On September 26, Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, struck the U.S., leaving hundreds dead and causing over $30 billion in damage. Just weeks later, Hurricane Milton followed as a Category 3, and despite being weaker, the devastation was massive; at least 17 people died.
Storms of this magnitude have not always been a regular occurrence. A 2022 Time article points out that between 1972 and 2022, only nine Category 4 or 5 hurricanes struck the U.S. mainland. However, six of those occurred between 2017 and 2022 — a clear sign that these storms are becoming more frequent, fueled by rising ocean and atmospheric temperatures.
The changing climate is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental crisis but as a severe threat to human well-being — and notably mental health. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, people across the world experience heightened psychological stress. Whether it's anxiety about an uncertain future or trauma from extreme weather events, the mental health impacts of climate change are profound and far-reaching, but rarely discussed.
(SOURCE: FORBES) |
1 MINUTE READ What You Need to Know: In the world of fitness, few forms of exercise are as universally effective as Pilates. Full-body Pilates, as the name suggests, involves engaging the entire body to create a balanced, powerful, and flexible physique. It’s an accessible workout that offers both beginners and advanced practitioners a holistic approach to fitness that can be easily adapted to any fitness level.
The Benefits of Full-Body Pilates
1. Improves Core Strength and Stability
One of the primary goals of Pilates is to develop a strong core, which includes not just the abdominal muscles but also the deeper stabilizing muscles around the spine and pelvis. A strong core stabilizes the body, supports posture, and protects the lower back from injury. This foundational strength is essential for maintaining stability in both daily movements and athletic activities.
2. Enhances Flexibility and Mobility
Full-body Pilates emphasizes slow, controlled stretches and movements that lengthen muscles and improve flexibility. Unlike traditional stretching, which can sometimes cause muscle strain, Pilates stretches the body gently and gradually, increasing both mobility and flexibility. Over time, increased flexibility can lead to better posture, reduced pain, and a lower risk of injury.
Try the full body pilates workout at BlkandFit.com.
(SOURCE: BLKANDFIT.COM) |
The Black Stuntmen’s Association was formed in the late ’60’s as a rebuttal to the racial discrimination faced by stuntmen and stuntwomen of color during the time. Sitting president of the BSA Willie Harris and the surviving members of the Association have been recognized for their pioneering efforts in the stunt work industry.
Bill Cosby helped spearhead the prominence of Black stuntmen during his time on the hit series I Spy after refusing to allow a white stuntman “painted down” to appear Black as his stunt double. Shortly after, Harris and fellow founding members, the late Edward Smith, Alex Brown, and Henry Kingi formed the BSA in 1967.
The BSA’s mission most certainly paved the way for Black stuntmen and stuntwomen to enter the lucrative world of stunt work. Harris recalled in several interviews that despite Hollywood’s liberal reputation, barriers still existed. Harris and his compatriots persisted, and eventually found their footing in the industry.
(READ MORE)
(SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB) |
A long-shuttered administration building at struggling Knoxville College, a historically Black institution, was destroyed in a fire Monday night, officials said.
There were no injuries in the blaze, which erupted at around 8:30 p.m. ET on the campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, which has had its buildings boarded up to prevent break-ins and fires, Knoxville Assistant Fire Chief Mark Wilbanks said.
“This building’s probably in excess of 100 years old. It has completely collapsed and is a total loss,” Wilbanks said at the scene of the fire, video from NBC affiliate WBIR of Knoxville showed.
The cause of the fire was not known Monday night, he said.
Knoxville College is a small HBCU, or historically Black college or university, founded in 1875. (READ MORE)
(SOURCE: NBC NEWS) |
🎁 Sybil's Birthday Shoutouts Thursday, November 7, 2024 First Black Female Neurosurgeon
Dr. Alexa Canady
Hair Stylist, TV Personality Derek J
Actor, Singer Algee Smith
Actress Dara Reneé
Actor Chris Tavarez
Actress, Host Lisa Canning
We Remember:
Theater Director Ellen Stewart,
born 1919
|
|
|
|
