Author: DAMON K JONES
Police Week is an annual observance that pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. It is typically a time for communities to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by their local police officers. However, in Mount Vernon, the police officers chose to boycott Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard’s Police Week celebration as a show of solidarity and protest against ongoing issues within the department. The tension between the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and City Hall under the Mayor’s administration has been growing due to disputes over pay, safety concerns,…
MOUNT VERNON, NY (May 14, 2024) – In a powerful display of solidarity, Pastor Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Wheeler of Mt. Calvary “The Promise Church” and Damon K. Jones, Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine, announce the Peace and Unity Event to be held on May 26, 2024, at 11:30 AM. The event will occur at Mt. Calvary, “The Promise Church,” at 38 South Second Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10550. The Peace and Unity Event aims to unite individuals from various faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, to call for brotherhood, sisterhood, love, peace, unity, and the end of the war. The…
Recent campaign finance data on opensecrets.org reveals that pro-Israel interest groups donated over $21 million to New York politicians between 1990 and 2024. The top 10 recipients, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, received over $1 million from pro-Israel donors. For example, records show that pro-Israel groups donated $21,144,419 to New York politicians between 1990-2024. The top 10 recipients are: But pro-Israel groups are far from the only major donors leveraging campaign cash for political influence. Other special interests include Wall Street, big pharma, the fossil fuel industry, trial lawyers, and more. Well-funded lobbies across the spectrum…
In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential to cultivate a healthy mindset that acknowledges the inner workings of our bodies and minds. Too often, we fear our bodies because we perceive them as beyond our control, leading to a belief that we inhabit a rebellious entity that operates outside the laws of physics. This misconception can result in a detrimental mindset, where we resign ourselves to the idea that life is a constant struggle against an inevitable decline. Our belief systems serve as guiding principles, shaping our actions and reactions towards ourselves, others, and the world around us. These beliefs…
In the face of persistent challenges plaguing Black communities, including economic disparities, failing schools, high crime rates, and fractured families, Black religious leaders must reevaluate their priorities and remember their primary calling as servants of God. The apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. It would help if you were not participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” This passage is a…
In a year marked by an overall decline in violent crime across the United States, a disturbing trend has emerged from the FBI’s annual crime report. While the nation celebrates the return to pre-pandemic levels of violent offenses, a stark increase in hate crimes, particularly those targeting Black Americans, demands our immediate attention and action. The FBI’s data reveals that in 2022, hate crime incidents surged to 11,634, a significant increase from the 10,840 reported the previous year. Even more concerning is the fact that a staggering 51.9% of these hate crime victims were targeted due to “anti-Black or African…
Depression and mental health struggles are serious issues facing the Black community, yet they often go unrecognized and untreated. In my book, “Black Minds Must Matter”, I discuss how people, especially Black men, suffer in silence due to cultural conditioning that discourages vulnerability and seeking help. This lack of support has led to an alarming rise in suicides among Black men. The Black community faces unique challenges that contribute to higher rates of depression compared to white communities. These include racism, economic and political oppression, police brutality, fear of violence, and a systematic cultural separation between Black men and women.…
A recent study has challenged the traditional understanding of the Paleo diet, suggesting that ancient Stone Age people might have leaned more towards a plant-based eating style rather than focusing primarily on meat. The Paleo diet, also known as the caveman or Stone-Age diet, typically encourages the consumption of lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Proponents of this diet often highlight the importance of selecting low-glycemic fruits and vegetables for better health. This diet is based on the idea of mimicking the nutritional habits of early humans up until around 2000 BC. Advocates argue that since our genetics…
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and its chapters are sounding the alarm over what they see as a growing assault on the rights to free speech and peaceful protest at colleges and universities across the United States. In a statement released and endorsed by over 60 AAUP chapters and other organizations, the AAUP condemns many university administrations’ “heavy-handed, militaristic response” to largely peaceful student activism in recent months. The statement argues that even as protests and counter-protests have escalated on campuses this fall, the response by many institutional leaders has been to “invite law enforcement in riot gear…
In a significant diplomatic move, Jamaica has officially recognized the State of Palestine, aligning itself with approximately 140 other UN member states and 11 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries. This decision reflects Jamaica’s commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and the right to self-determination. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith emphasized Jamaica’s support for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for the dignity and rights of Palestinians while ensuring Israel’s security. The recognition of Palestine demonstrates Jamaica’s nuanced approach to the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East,…