Top Ten Black News Stories of 2023

(Baltimore, MD) It was a year when people felt less concerned about a pandemic and a return to normalcy. I can tell you there is a mood in the country where African-Americans are confident, concerned, shaking, and quietly nervous. No, the great recession didn’t have any energy, nor did the prosperity promise come true. There were glimmers of hope and yet there was this sense of foreboding we couldn’t shake.

War, as we know it isn’t confined to the places we know. In many instances, it showed up in a lot of places we didn’t know. As always, it’s tough to narrow the list to ten topics. This year is no different we had a tie at number six so we have a 6a.

If you go back to many of my list you will see I make sure to take a global view and an American view of stories with high impact. I don’t expect you to agree. It’s a part of this exercise to challenge you to re-think the year and what had an impact. Be pissed, but be smart. Those who would like to rearrange the chairs on the Titanic are coming for you. They want you to be ignorant and distracted by the moment.

10. Coup de tat’s in Africa – The overthrow of an aging dictator/presidents and unresponsive leaders is fertile ground for unrest on the continent of Africa. The latest to join this growing list of overthrows of government is Niger and Guinea.  

 Gen. Abdourahamne  Tiani, Interim Leader Niger

Adding to these overthrows was the Wagner Mercenary Group under the control of Russia Anarchist Yevgeny Prigozhin. A rough operator who had an army for you, if you were willing to pay. He came to the aid of elements in Africa that had resources (smuggled diamonds).

Prigozhin, may have over played his hand when he went after the generals of Russian President Vladimir Putin fighting in Ukraine. He called for a mobilization of his forces to march on Moscow. In the words of the series, “The Wire.” “If you come for the king, you bet not miss.”

The mercenary was killed in a plane crash on his way back to Russia.

9. Byron Allen’s  Media Empire – Allen Media Group (AMG), celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The media empire he has amassed is varied and a force to be reckoned with by the powers that be. This year he added HBCU-GO. The brainchild of my good friend, Curtis Symonds. The areas he’s moving into means he gets a unique entry into business deals he wouldn’t be considered for in the past. Allen just offered 3.5 billion dollars to buy BET. I know he is not finished. Black entrepreneurs in media have always pushed the envelope (Roland Martin, Doni Glover and many more). I challenge those who own these properties to prove they can figure out a way to create news content, make it profitable, and accessible. “Am I pipe dreaming?” 

8. HBCU Enrollment – For the last three years many of the nation’s HBCU’s have seen record enrollment. The good news, a number of schools are attracting some of the brightest students and still offer those who need a chance the opportunity to get one. In some states, the additional cash has allowed them to offer in-demand classes. The downside, the schools are bursting at the stems. Lastly, the schools are being targeted by rough elements, with a number of them reporting shootings. Things are about to get tougher.

7. Athletic Comebacks – There is always a danger when you play certain sports. Football is controlled aggression. On a Monday Night, January 2, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio the Buffalo Bills squared off against the Bengals. The national televised game was watched by millions. Bill’s Safety Damar Hamlin had a collision with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first half.

It appeared to be a routine play, except when Hamlin stood up he crumbled to the ground. As staff went to assist he was administered CPR. The players, the crowd and national audience was stunned. Hamlin was taken to a local hospital. The game was canceled  and the player spent a week in the cardiac unit in Cincinnati. He was released and came back to Buffalo. Hamlin became an inspiration and vowed to comeback. Hamlin presented the training staff that saved his life the 2023 ESPY’s Pat Tilman Award.

6. Stretching Stories for the Big and Small Screen – At the beginning of the year I attended a screening of “Chevalier.” An interesting take on the composer, Joseph Bologne. The mullato slave who comes of age at the end of the French Renaissance. He takes up fencing and violin. He becomes a composer in high society with Queen Marie Antoinette as his patron. When he is shunned by the aristocracy of France he becomes the darling of the French Revolution. His story is like a number of films which were released this year. Unknown heroes who got their treatment on big and small screens (Rustin, the story of Baynard Rustin.). A number of releases late in the year show promise,  American Fiction, and Origin. There are a number of movies that will gross major box office dollars such as: The Color Purple, The Equalizer 3 and Creed III.

I want to note the passing of two actors. Andre Braugher stared as Detective Frank Pemberton in the David Simons series Homicide: Life on the Streets based in Baltimore. Pemberton was a thinking mans cop. If you were in “the box” (interrogation room) with him, it was brutal.  The Shakespearean Actor was a part of the ensemble, which starred in the movie “Glory.” Many will know him as Captain Raymond Holt in the Fox/NBC police comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He lost his battle with lung cancer according to his publicists.

One of the actors who portrayed a character on The Wire also died this year.

Lance Reddick, who played Captain Cedric Daniels in The Wire was a native of Baltimore. The 60-year-old appeared in more than a dozen films and shows during his 25-year acting career

 Actor Michael K. Williams played th role of OMAR, a gay drug dealer who avenged the death of his “shorty” was remembered this year by the Baltimore Orioles. When Orioles closer Felix Bautista took to the field they played the haunting whistling of “The farmer in dell.” In The Wire that let everyone know, someone was going to die. 

6a. Hip-Hop at 50 – I was there at the beginning when a group of my New York friends showed up at a party and began rapping over me remixing “Good Times.” This is circa 1978. I was not impressed, but I am not a fool and watched as rapping became a new genre. It wasn’t just rapping, it was mixing, break dancing, fashion, graffiti, and culture. The term “Hip-Hop” may have started in New York but is a worldwide phenomenon fifty years later. Don’t let anyone tell you it was readily accepted. It kicked, screamed, and pissed people off in the early days. A number of outlets have missed the point. This is a historical and necessary inflection point, “we will take what you discarded and create something new.” Now, you are welcome to insert your favorite hip- hop artist/song.

5. Urban Violence – Living in an urban area isn’t easy. Crime has been on this list many times. In the 80’s, driving the criminal activity was “CRACK.” By the nineties it was heroin with a move to lace it with Fentanyl (deadly consequences) by 2000’s.

This time there is a single component which seems to link urban crime in each city, youthful offenders. The crimes are all over the place. Carjacking’s, “purge“ like activity (Philly) breaking into stories, and gang activity (West Coast) to rob high end stories and resell to an underground market.

I know for a fact, many those who are into this type of activity live(d) in a dysfunctional home(s). Some would call this the “Crack Baby Generation.” There is a sense amongst this group no one sees them, nor cares how they function. There are no silver bullets. 

4. Racial Attacks at the Ballot Box- A Supreme Court decision to decertify a congressional map drawn by the Alabama legislature was welcomed. Allen v. Milligan case decision gave hope to plaintiffs. It ruled maps passed by the Republican legislature had to be re-drawn. The courts eventually stepped in drawing a map giving the state’s African-American population in Alabama more representation in congress.

A number of southern states with Republican majorities are having their maps challenged. This has emboldened those who want to go backward. It is scary the arguments being put forward. The idea is simple, limit the electorate. 

3. Beyoncé – No I did not see Beyoncé live, but I have seen her three-hour movie, The Renaissance, on the event. This year Beyoncé’s Worldwide Tour is the new standard (no slight to Taylor Swift). So let me give you some observations:

·         The Bee Hive is real: These die-hard fans get it. Mrs. Shawn Carter is what she exclaims. “I’m a boss!!!.”

·         The remainder of the audience has always been in her corner, but their enthusiasm is different. They’ll tell you, “I see myself in her.” This drills down on one’s authentic self, uncompromised, and they see a glass half empty with future possibilities.

·         So let’s add a new tittle, Documentarian. She’s not the first to do it, but has mastered the ability to take you around the world.

I won’t get any brownie points for this but, there was cultist-like attitude about those who were there for the concert. You know all the words, the choreography, and the songs move you. Lastly, I expect “B” to challenge herself with a new project which might not be music.

2. Assault on Minority Business and Marginalization of anything Black – If you haven’t heard of the Fearless Fund get ready to be incensed by a court case which could end all help to minority businesses. There is a legal attempt to stop the Fearless Fund from running the Strivers Grant Contest in the Small Business Administration. The grant holds a contest which awards $20,000 to businesses that are at least 51% owned by Black women, among other requirements. Based in Atlanta, it’s given opportunity to women own businesses especially the Black ones.

Edward Blum, the conservative activist behind the two college admissions cases which struck down Affirmative Action in college admissions, has several pending lawsuits targeting private-sector DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs based on the ruling in admissions. Blum and his cohorts are raising millions of dollars to target the SBA.

“What does Edward Blum have to fear?” said CBC Chair, Congressman Steve Horsford (D) Nevada. The numbers from the Venture Capitalist, a group which tracks investment, sheds light on what’s at stake. In 2018, this group showed  $130 billon dollars was given to new American businesses. Of that total only 2.2 percent was given to female companies and less than 1% was given to women color according to Forbes Magazine and the Fearless Fund.

This demonization is real. If somehow the SCOTUS can revisit this issue there is a likelihood it could translate to groups who are currently marginalized and choke off funding underserved communities.

So let me cut to the chase. What I heard from the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Chairman, Congressman Horsford did not give me confidence at the CBC’s approach. I believe CBC which has had a clarion call since its beginning to improve Black Business in America needs shock therapy.

1. Sickle Cell Treatment – I learn of this disease from my mom’s friend who lost two very young children to sickle cell. Recently, the promise of CRISPR was made real. The treatment, called exa-cel and made by the companies Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics, edits a gene involved in red blood cell shape and function. The doctors who created CRISPR won the Noble Peace Prize. This new therapy will reshape some of medicines daunting challenges. I know there were a number of medical problems which could have leaped-frogged sickle cell disease. Early therapies showed promise in trials and now Black families have hope.  

Charles F. Robinson, III

C3 Media

 

Person of the Year 2023

This year there are a pair of individuals who deserve this award, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the mother/daughter duo were Atlanta election workers. They were accused of voter election fraud in 2016 by Rudi Giuliani. This year they sued the former Mayor of New York. Giuliani admitted he lied in the civil suit.

Shellacked Again

Baltimore – There are nightmares and then there are re-occurring nightmares, but why do they come during the mid-term elections. I’m guessing this is being mumbled by President Obama on the day after the Republicans cleaned his clock in the House of Representatives, the Senate and in Governors seats. These mid-term elections have left the Democratic President with few options to push his agenda. The electorate has sent a clear message, “get something done.”

The members of the GOP aren’t crowing but, is there an opening? Here a few of the questions that will need to be answered. Will gridlock be the order of the day or will veto overrides settle the scores? Should we expect mischief with a lame duck session? Is it time to get even?

So what happened? Some predicted the outcome and some didn’t see this coming? First a history lesson, the president of the presiding party often looses seats in congress in a mid-term election. The President can help minimize these losses but, a number of candidates did not want the president nor did they want to be seen with him. WOW.

There has been narrative since the President’s initial election by the GOP to thwart his efforts. His political mandate was short lived. He became the Republican Party’s “boogie man.” It was illustrated in Tea Party rallies and mantra’s like “he wasn’t born in the United States; he’s a communist…ect.

The President has down played his “Blackness.” Sometimes to his advantage and some will say to his detriment. “I am not the Black President; I am the President of United States.” Black comics have mocked this sentiment (Key and Peele, and SNL).  Some suggest this is playing the “race card.” Leaders of the U.S. must walk a fine line.

In his post election address the President did not cower instead he reiterated a message he has said on several occasions, “The American people want us to get the job done.” He acknowledged his status a “lame duck.” He acknowledged the winners but, also noted “the 2/3’s of American who didn’t vote.” Claiming the “the bully pulpit” he up the ante for those looking for a conciliator in chief, “As President I have unique position.” He knows those in the GOP have a deep anger for his views, and more importantly his policies. There will be some give on ideas but, in the African-American community this is the price you pay when you can’t hold the reins of power in other branches of government. “We just got to keep at it.”

Fear and Loathing

Following a “bloodbath” like this there is a lot of “Monday Morning Quarterbacking.” The lack of an engaged electorate played out to perfection. The results show those participating in 2014 election were whiter and older. The Democratic Party has been hard press to connect with this group since Jimmy Carter. They have used Social Security to rally the group and scare tactics about Medicaid to mobilize. Guess what the Republicans have paid attention and co-opted these ideas.

Even though Obama was not on the ballot, the GOP used his name often. The President’s poll numbers don’t help and a series of activities

(VA screw-ups, Emergence of ISIL, and Ebola) created a perfect storm which reinforces this perception.

Activities on the ground in several states where efforts to create voter identification were successful sent a message to Black voters, “they don’t want us to participate.” It energized some Black voters but unlike in Presidential years Black votes for Obama top 90%. Add women, young, Latino, and college students they swamp an older electorate. The problem is when there isn't a Presidential race. You can use data tricks but, the ground game is where winners are made.

Once again the GOP is not playing catch up in this aspect as of electioneering. Lastly, the GOP has stayed on message. It has forced out extreme candidates and found the answers to positions which didn’t play well with the voters.  

Lastly, a number of so called “Blue Dog Democrats” in Southern states have seen their constituency flip to Republicans. Obama is the “boogie man” to them. A lot of them see a country that is changing and doesn’t see them as a credible participant in the process. This has “pissed them off.” Code words from politicians are signals which question the legitimacy, the mandate, and the veracity of this President. So what are these “Blue Dog Democrats” to do? Run against the President. Ads from this political groups talked more about how they voted against the President’s policies than trumpeting what the policies have done. Sorry, this is a recipe for disaster. Also isn’t it disingenuous to ask for the political funding but smack the hand of the person who is giving it to you. Holding on to this last rung in the South is Senator Mary Landrieu. She will have a run off in January of 2015 to determine if she returns or is vanquished. She admits this will be tough. She conceded the President isn’t popular in Louisiana and it has aracial tone (finally a piece of honesty). The GOP will likely continue to make this about Obama. How do you counter? I’ll leave that to professionals to work out.

What’s Next?

 From where I’m sitting, “What does this President have to lose?” Change and Hope was the mantra. In reality it came with Division and Confrontation. The National Review in an editorial suggested Republicans continue push confrontation and not work with the President. Another two years of nothing? In my Clint Eastwood voice, “go ahead and make my day.”

This changing landscape has possibilities, problems and course corrections. Let me start with possibilities. The Black electorate is not monolithic but it has been the solid rock of the President’s base. It will be up for grabs in the next Presidential cycle. This summer I invited Renice Prebius to National Association of Black Journalist Conference in Boston. He was adamant “Charles, we can’t be a White Southern Party…we must go to Black, Brown, and communities of color and make the argument for our candidates.”

Conversely, some of the power structure within the Democratic Party asks, “Where this constituency will go?” The lock of Democratic Party on Black voters may not fade anytime soon. There is a marriage of convenience for those at the top of the group to continue this winning strategy. However, where is a national view of peeling off the lock of the White Voters who see the GOP as their party.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has three new GOP members including the first female GOP member Rep. Mia Love. “Many naysayers said Utah would not elect Black Republican LDS woman to Congress.”). Look the CBC must either recognize there are different strands of Black Politicians whose political viewpoints aren’t compatible.  Lastly, don’t be afraid to form new alliances, create dialogue when there isn’t any, and don’t be forced into a corner even if it’s the POTUS.

Like her counterpart in the Senate Tim Scott she has downplayed her race in the outcome of her election (So why did she say

The bench of the Black Democratics is weak. I have seen a lot of young people volunteering and getting jobs. What I am not seeing is a passing of the baton. You ask these newly minted folks for help. You asked them to help you to understand social media. You created to new task-forces for them to work on including their passions i.e. music, social interaction etc… Is now the time to get out of the way? I know failure at this level is big, but tell me anyone who made it to the top who hasn’t failed.

In two years a number of people will be talking about how they help elected the first Black President. After that time frame the question will be, Will there ever be another Black President?