Congressional Black Caucus responds to Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

The Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), issued the following statement after President Trump declared a national emergency to build his border wall.

"This declaration has more to do with the President’s bruised ego than actually doing what is best for America. The author of The Art of The Deal couldn’t make a deal to build a wall. This is a fake solution to a fake crisis and we must stand firm in keeping the nation focused on the real issues impacting Americans.

“There are families who can’t make ends meet because their wages are too low. Citizens are being denied equal access at the ballot box because of voter suppression. We have a criminal justice system that still treats Americans better if they are rich and guilty than if they are poor and innocent. Black boys and girls are dying prematurely from gun violence while Black women are losing their lives during childbirth.

“These are just some of the real crises confronting America. Mr. President, it’s time to finally demonstrate the leadership worthy of the office you hold.”

Black Panther Scores 15 NAACP Image Awards Nominations

Marvel’s “Black Panther” scored 15 NAACP Image Awards nominations between the film categories and the recording categories for its soundtrack featuring Kendrick Lamar.

The award winners will be announced at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards.

The ceremony takes place on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from the Dolby Theatre.

The show will air on TVOne.

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The 15 nominations are:

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:

Chadwick Boseman - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:

Michael B. Jordan - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Winston Duke - Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Danai Gurira - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Letitia Wright - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Lupita Nyong'o - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Letitia Wright - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Winston Duke - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

"Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Motion Picture

"Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

DIRECTING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film)

Ryan Coogler - "Black Panther" (Marvel Studios)

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

"All The Stars" - Black Panther" - Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

"All The Stars" - Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation

"Black Panther The Album Music From and Inspired By" - Kendrick Lamar, SZA feat. 2Chainz, ScHoolboy Q, Saudi, Khalid, Swae Lee, Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok, SOB x RBE, Jorja Smith, Anderson .Paak, Ab Soul, Reason, Zacari, Babes Wudumo, Sjava, Travis Scott (Interscope Records)

WRITING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)

Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole - "Black Panther (Marvel Studios)

Rep. Barbara Lee endorses Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris just picked up her biggest endorsement to date in her fledgling 2020 campaign: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, former Congressional Black Caucus chair and all-around anti-war and social justice activist star.

Lee, who has been called "the House's lefty conscience" will be California co-chair of Harris' presidential campaign. "Watching Kamala's career in the East Bay and San Francisco for 20 years, I've witnessed her deep passion for justice and opportunity and I know she will be a president truly of the people, by the people, and for the people," Lee said in a statement obtained exclusively by CNN.

"She will increase working Americans' incomes, expand health insurance to more Americans and restore dignity and responsibility to the Oval Office. She is a leader uniquely qualified to bring us together and mobilize a movement of Americans to return power to the people."

With her endorsement, Lee becomes the first CBC member to weigh in on the Democratic primary, a contest that for the first time includes two CBC members -- Harris and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

[SOURCE: CNN]

Cheri Beasley: First African American woman Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that Cheri Beasley will be the next Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Beasley will be the first black woman to lead the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Kamala Harris calls for legalized marijuana nationwide

Kamala Harris has called for the national legalization of marijuana. Read her campaign's statement on the issue below:

Two out of three Americans believe that marijuana should be legal, and this sentiment only grows stronger by the year. With rising support for legalization, it’s clear we need to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. It’s the smart thing to do.

More states are moving to legalize marijuana through ballot initiatives and bills in state legislatures, but it is not enough. This isn’t just a matter of combating outdated and unpopular marijuana laws. It’s a matter of repairing our communities, system, and country.

It’s past time that we ALL address the harrowing issue of mass incarceration in our country -- and that starts with marijuana legalization and restorative justice programs in our damaged criminal justice system.

Our system continues to target and imprison young Black and Latin Americans for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses at high levels. Too many lives and communities have been ruined by regressive policies. This needs to be rectified with a pathway to legalization at the federal level.

Here’s what our fight looks like:

Introduce and pass legislation to legalize marijuana nationwide.

Expunge nonviolent marijuana-related offenses from the records of millions of people who have been arrested and incarcerated.

Create national programs to address addiction treatment and reentry for all formerly incarcerated Americans.

Kamala is a firm believer that we can no longer repeat the same mistakes from our past if we’re going to build a country that works for everyone. That’s the foundation of our campaign. We cannot claim decency, freedom, justice, and equality as our values without reforming this broken system.