Author: DAMON K JONES
Israel’s shuttering of Al Jazeera’s offices and confiscation of the news network’s equipment on Sunday has drawn sharp condemnation from the United Nations and human rights groups. The move, which comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces allegations of possible genocide from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is widely seen as a blatant attempt to control the narrative and stifle press freedom. The situation takes on an even more disturbing tone as Israel threatens a full-scale military operation on Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. Analysts believe these threats are designed to pressure Egypt, depopulate Gaza, and…
The House recently passed the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act by a vote of 320-91, with the support of Democratic moderates who are strong supporters of Israel. The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), aims to combat antisemitism amidst pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. However, it has raised serious concerns among some Christians who believe it could infringe upon their First Amendment rights. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who sponsored the bill and, according to opensecrets.org, has received 59,801 from AIPAC The Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s broad definition…
In recent weeks, students at colleges across the country have been holding protests and demonstrations against U.S. involvement in the ongoing war. These protests have sparked debates about the extent and limits of the constitutional right to free speech on college campuses. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. This right extends to public colleges and universities, which are considered government entities. Students at public colleges generally have the right to express their views and hold peaceful protests on campus. Recently, some of these campus protests have become a flashpoint.…
In recent decades, the United States has seen a significant shift in family structures and gender norms, particularly within the Black community. Today, nearly 70% of Black children are born to unmarried mothers, and Black adults have the lowest marriage rate of any ethnic group at just 30%. Concurrently, alcohol use disorders among women have risen sharply, with an 80% increase between 2002-2013. Moreover, contemporary Black culture has been influenced by a range of opposing forces, including the proliferation of harmful media narratives and stereotypes. Social media platforms and popular entertainment often glorify the “hot girl summer” lifestyle, presenting a distorted image…
Don’t Strain Your Drain Campaign On the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Diana Williams and Marvin Church convened community activists and business leaders to promote climate education and opportunities for underserved communities. Before the pandemic forced the group to disband, they had a name, the Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) and were able to recognize that more climate and clean energy activism and resources were needed. Having yet to be fully established, many of the original group moved on to other clean energy and environmental opportunities. But In July 2021, ELOC launched its first program with members Diana and Marvin…
Sandy Bernabei, a representative from The AntiRacist Alliance, has openly criticized Westchester County Executive George Latimer for his apparent lack of action in addressing the dire conditions faced by Black and Brown children in the county. In a recent statement, Bernabei accused Latimer of turning a deaf ear to the evident racial inequities and high rates of homelessness among these children throughout his two terms in office. Sandy stressed that when Latimer was first elected as County Executive, he was provided with all the necessary information to address the issues. Despite this, two terms later, he has failed to meet…
In a world that often prioritizes personal success and self-fulfillment, the scriptures remind us of the profound impact we can have on others by blessing them. As people of faith, we are called to shift our perspective from solely pursuing our interests to actively seeking ways to serve and uplift those around us. In doing so, we embody the love of Christ and fulfill our purpose as His disciples. Many individuals today believe that blessings are solely for their own benefit, failing to recognize their responsibility to create blessings for others. If we look closely at our communities, the extent…
As Westchester confronts an alarming rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, our county government must take a more proactive and unequivocal stance against Islamophobia. The relative silence of many of our elected officials in the face of this crisis sends a troubling message of imbalance and subtle bigotry. It must be emphasized that Muslims in Westchester are a diverse group, including Arab, Black, white, and Asian residents. We cannot allow the pain and trauma experienced by any part of our community to be minimized or brushed aside out of political expediency. If we, as leaders, shrink from telling hard truths or…
In this month of Ramadan, it is crucial for people of faith to fast in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters, particularly those in Palestine who are facing tremendous hardships. Innocent lives are being lost, and Israeli forces are destroying homes in the ongoing conflict. Many Black Pastors and Black Christians may be surprised to learn that Gaza is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Before the Israeli blockade began in 2007, around 3,000 Christians lived in the region. However, due to the harsh conditions and recent violence, the Christian population has dwindled to just 800,…
A groundswell of dissent is brewing in Westchester County as a coalition of ethnic and religious organizations has taken on a disturbing trend: the sale of Palestinian land exclusively to Jewish buyers by Keller Williams Realty. Westchester community groups are making it clear that this is a gross violation of human rights and a blight on the principles of equality and justice. Imagine living in a house passed down through generations, only to have someone arrive one day and claim that it belongs to them, forcing you to leave. Imagine that same house being advertised to buyers in America, effectively…