Latest news with #WhiteAmericans
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Americans split on college DEI programs: Survey
Americans are largely split on support for college diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and what those initiatives actually mean, according to a survey. The Associated Press/NORC Research Center poll, released Thursday, found that when asked about DEI programs on college campuses, 30 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat opposed the initiatives, 30 percent were neutral and 40 percent were in favor. White Americans and Republicans were more likely than Black or Hispanic Americans, along with Democrats, to oppose DEI programs. About 60 percent of Republicans were against the programs while 70 percent of Democrats said the opposite, the survey shows. But the numbers get more interesting when Republicans were asked about specific aspects of DEI. The pollsters found that more than half of Republicans said they support courses that teach about racism, while 33 percent were against scholarships targeted to minority students, and 30 percent opposed clubs and services for certain racial or ethnic groups. While GOP respondents were more supportive of those programs, the split in the party on the matter is evident as the Trump administration goes after K-12 schools and higher education over 'illegal' DEI practices. While the federal government warned schools they could lose federal funding due to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, a judge has halted the threat due to the vagueness of what is considered DEI. The Education Department has given some indication of what DEI initiatives it will go after as it opened an investigation into Chicago Public Schools for creating success plans for Black students but not for other races. The AP/NORC poll was conducted May 1-5 among 1,175 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why MAGA media is fixated on a Texas teen murder case
If anyone hoped that the Jan. 6 defendants Donald Trump released from jail would be humbled enough to embrace a quieter, more productive existence, well, the exact opposite is happening with quite a few of them. And one post-pardon case is already sticking out for sheer depravity. Jake Lang, who spent years in jail while contending with multiple charges for violence during the Capitol riot, is making a racist spectacle of a high school murder case in Texas. On April 2, Austin Metcalf, 17, was stabbed to death at a track meet in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas. Karmelo Anthony, also 17, was charged with murder, after admitting he stabbed Metcalf to police. Metcalf was white. Anthony is Black. Lang saw an opportunity and leapt into action. After circulating a flyer with Metcalf's face labeled "Protect White Americans," Lang descended on this Texas suburb to lead a rally painting Black Americans as a near-existential threat to white Americans. When Jeff Metcalf, the victim's father, called Lang during the rally, the former inmate now running for State Secretary Marco Rubio's Florida Senate seat, got visibly excited. But his joy turned to rage when Metcalf did not play along with the racist stunt. "You're trying to create more race divide than bridging the gap," Metcalf declared, and an enraged Lang called this reaction "weakness." Lang is a clown, but he is not an outlier. The whole of right-wing media, including Fox News, has decided to make a spectacle of this case, with endless, breathless coverage painting this single situation as symbolic of what they view as a racist war on white people. It's useful agitprop for MAGA, which desperately needs a distraction from Trump's failures and falling approval ratings. It's gross, and it's coming at a high cost for the families involved and the larger community, ratcheting up racial tensions and sowing paranoia, all over a case that is already heart-wrenching details of the killing are tragic, but don't seem mysterious. Metcalf and Anthony got into a scuffle at a track tournament after arguing about whether Anthony was allowed to hang out in Metcalf's team tent. Witnesses say the fight ended when Anthony stabbed Metcalf. When police arrested Anthony, the report says, he began "crying hysterically" and saying it was self-defense. "He put his hands on me, I told him not to," Anthony said, according to the police report. It also noted that Anthony asked if Metcalf, who bled to death, was "going to be OK?" It seems like Anthony is facing an uphill battle with his claims of self-defense. If he is successful, it's due to Texas law's broad definition of legitimate "self-defense," which was passed by Republican lawmakers acting on behalf of gun lobbyists. Despite this, right-wing media is treating this case like it's definitive evidence that a white person can't get justice in "woke" America. Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire treated Anthony's acquittal as a fait accompli, claiming all they need is "one juror who harbors a deep and abiding resentment towards white people" and "Karmelo Anthony can continue driving around in expensive SUVs and living in rented mansions." The Blaze compared Anthony to O.J. Simpson," calling it a "psyop" to "frustrate white people." Will Cain of Fox News has been hyping this story relentlessly, even featuring a conservative commentator Brandon Tatum warning that this is about an "underbelly of racism" he claims is "perpetuated by Black people" and hosting Austin Metcalf's mother and twin bother one day after his killing to publicly reject Jeff Metcalf's plea for grace. "Murdering a white kid in cold blood seems acceptable to some," Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA declared. And because no right-wing grift is complete without it, there's now a crypto memecoin exploiting the incident. Tellingly, the right-wing noise machine can't even articulate the injustice that needs to be remedied here. Anthony was arrested and is being held accountable. There is not a smidgen of evidence that police and prosecutors aren't taking this case seriously. Yes, Anthony's parents and their friends are defending him, but that's typical in criminal cases and part of a larger right of the accused to defend himself. The deafening outrage is about shutting off the brains of the audience, keeping MAGA audiences in a state of racist paranoia, so they don't think about how Donald Trump's incompetence is hurting the economy and national security. The spiraling race hysteria had led to serious harassment of both the families of Metcalf and Anthony. Frisco police have confirmed both of Metcalf's parents have been targeted by "swatting" calls, where pranksters send SWAT teams by lying to 911 operators. Anthony's family has been getting death threats and relocated their son, after he was released on bond, to a hidden location to protect him. When Anthony's parents had a likely ill-advised press conference last week, asking people to leave them alone, Jeff Metcalf showed up and had to be escorted out by police. The right-wing press exploited this, as well, which likely contributed to his desire to speak out against those who want to use this to sow racial division. Social media has been awash in lies, including a fake autopsy report. The abuse seems to be coming from all sides, from people who want to demonize either Metcalf or Anthony. But all this is being turbocharged by the MAGA media's obsession with this case, which is raising tensions all around. It's unsurprising that a Jan. 6 defendant would be drawn to the racialized drama, especially someone with a history as shady as Lang's. His legal exposure from the Capitol riot was not of the low-level "trespassing" charges. He was charged with assaulting officers "using a dangerous weapon" and other violent crimes. The appeals court judge said evidence showed Lang "repeatedly pushed, punched, and kicked at police officers" and "slammed a door against one officer's head and struck other officers first with a stolen riot shield and later with a metal baseball bat." In jail, he spent his time playing a "political prisoner" on far-right podcasts and social media, and even tried (and failed) to create a MAGA militia from his cell. Now he's arguing that Black people are uniquely violent, as part of his bid to rebrand himself as a Republican candidate. Lang did not react well to Jeff Metcalf telling him to step off. After the grieving father embarrassed Lang in front of reporters, Lang posted on X that Metcalf is an example of "White Weakness & Submission" and that Metcalf would "hand his daughter over to be raped." Philip Anderson, another pardoned Jan. 6 defendant who has joined up with the "Protect White Americans" stunt, called Jeff Metcalf the P-word on X. Apparently, grieving fathers aren't on the list of white people Lang wishes to "protect," unless they agree with his racist campaign. This entire debacle reveals the ugly lie Trump and his MAGA movement are selling to white Americans, that they can "protect" themselves by aligning with a fascist movement. In reality, MAGA is only making a terrible situation much worse. I don't know the political leanings of either of Austin Metcalf's parents, but there is no universe in which being the centerpiece of a racialized circus is helping them deal with this nightmarish situation. As Jeff Metcalf observed, it's just making things worse for everyone, regardless of race, when a crime like this is being used to turn people against each other. Dialing down the temperature with a sober-minded, fact-guided effort at giving Anthony due process would work out better for everyone in the community. The person being aided by this racial spectacle is Donald Trump, who needs a highly emotional spectacle to distract from how he's failing Americans, including those who voted for him.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 2,000 Confederate symbols standing across the U.S., report says
More than 2,000 Confederate symbols are still standing in public spaces across the U.S., according to a report released Thursday by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Of those symbols, 685 are Confederate monuments, the nonprofit legal advocacy group based in Montgomery, Alabama, said. The remaining symbols are a mixture of government buildings, plaques, markers, schools, parks, counties, cities, military property, and streets and highways named after anyone associated with the Confederacy, the report said. Americans remain divided on how to preserve the Confederate legacy. More than 50% of Americans support preserving the history of the Confederacy, a 2024 survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute poll found, views virtually unchanged from a survey conducted two years prior. According to the poll, 81% of Republicans support preserving Confederate monuments, compared to 30% of Democrats. 58% of White Americans, 55% of multiracial Americans and 55% of Hispanic Americans support preserving them, compared to just 25% of Black Americans. Meanwhile, less than 50% of Gen Zers support efforts to preserve the legacy and history of the Confederacy. The numbers show a highly polarized divide along lines of race and party. The fourth edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's report detailed the challenges that researchers called the "politics of Civil War memory," citing recent name changes of two military bases as a setback that illustrates the "challenges of continuing the work." "As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to rewrite our history, we cannot let up in telling the whole, true story of our nation," Margaret Huang, president and CEO of SPLC, said in a statement. Fort Bragg and Fort Benning were two of nine bases for which the Naming Commission — a commission mandated by Congress to rename bases honoring Confederates — suggested new names. In February 2025, as one of his first acts, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, reversing a decision made by a congressionally mandated commission to rename bases that honor Confederate generals. Instead of renaming the base after Gen. Braxton Bragg, who fought for the Confederacy, because bipartisan legislation prevented Hegseth from choosing a Confederate name, he chose to honor Pvc. Roland L. Bragg, who was awarded a Silver Star for actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Hegeseth posted on social media, "Bragg is back!" after signing the memorandum. Weeks later, Hegeseth announced Fort Moore, formerly named Fort Benning for a Confederate general, will again be named Fort Benning. This time around, however, the fort will now honor a different Benning — Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I, when he served in the U.S. Army in France in 1918. The base was originally named after Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, a Confederate general and Southern secessionist who opposed freeing slaves. The report also noted what it described as "setbacks" in the renaming of two public schools in Shenandoah County, Virginia, to Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School, honoring Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson, Turner Ashby and Robert E. Lee. A local teacher resigned over the restoration of the names, and some families are considering leaving as well. "This might not be the community for us any longer," one parent told Southern Poverty Law Center researchers. Also detailed were what researchers called victories to remove Confederate monuments — citing Arlington National Cemetery's removal in December 2023 of its Confederate memorial, overcoming a lawsuit that attempted to block it. "We should not honor those who fought to continue slavery and tear apart our democracy," Huang said. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates NIH | Sunday on 60 Minutes
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
More than 2,000 Confederate symbols still standing across the U.S., report says
More than 2,000 Confederate symbols are still standing in public spaces across the U.S., according to a report released Thursday by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Of those symbols, 685 are Confederate monuments, the nonprofit legal advocacy group based in Montgomery, Alabama, said. The remaining symbols are a mixture of government buildings, plaques, markers, schools, parks, counties, cities, military property, and streets and highways named after anyone associated with the Confederacy, the report said. Americans remain divided on how to preserve the Confederate legacy. More than 50% of Americans support preserving the history of the Confederacy, a 2024 survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute poll found, views virtually unchanged from a survey conducted two years prior. According to the poll, 81% of Republicans support preserving Confederate monuments, compared to 30% of Democrats. 58% of White Americans, 55% of multiracial Americans and 55% of Hispanic Americans support preserving them, compared to just 25% of Black Americans. Meanwhile, less than 50% of Gen Zers support efforts to preserve the legacy and history of the Confederacy. The numbers show a highly polarized divide along lines of race and party. The fourth edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's report detailed the challenges that researchers called the "politics of Civil War memory," citing recent name changes of two military bases as a setback that illustrates the "challenges of continuing the work." "As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to rewrite our history, we cannot let up in telling the whole, true story of our nation," Margaret Huang, president and CEO of SPLC, said in a statement. Fort Bragg and Fort Benning were two of nine bases for which the Naming Commission — a commission mandated by Congress to rename bases honoring Confederates — suggested new names. In February 2025, as one of his first acts, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, reversing a decision made by a congressionally mandated commission to rename bases that honor Confederate generals. Instead of renaming the base after Gen. Braxton Bragg, who fought for the Confederacy, because bipartisan legislation prevented Hegseth from choosing a Confederate name, he chose to honor Pvc. Roland L. Bragg, who was awarded a Silver Star for actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Hegeseth posted on social media, "Bragg is back!" after signing the memorandum. Weeks later, Hegeseth announced Fort Moore, formerly named Fort Benning for a Confederate general, will again be named Fort Benning. This time around, however, the fort will now honor a different Benning — Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I, when he served in the U.S. Army in France in 1918. The base was originally named after Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, a Confederate general and Southern secessionist who opposed freeing slaves. The report also noted what it described as "setbacks" in the renaming of two public schools in Shenandoah County, Virginia, to Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School, honoring Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson, Turner Ashby and Robert E. Lee. A local teacher resigned over the restoration of the names, and some families are considering leaving as well. "This might not be the community for us any longer," one parent told Southern Poverty Law Center researchers. Also detailed were what researchers called victories to remove Confederate monuments — citing Arlington National Cemetery's removal in December 2023 of its Confederate memorial, overcoming a lawsuit that attempted to block it. "We should not honor those who fought to continue slavery and tear apart our democracy," Huang said. contributed to this report.
Int'l Business Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Greenline Housing Foundation: 5 Years Of Closing The Racial Homeownership And Wealth Gaps By Learning From History
The burden of history is tangible to this day, stripping people of color of rights in all aspects of life. To alleviate the ongoing effects of generational housing discrimination, Greenline Housing Foundation was founded in 2020, offering effective and timely solutions informed by lessons from the past. For five years, the nonprofit has remained steadfast in its mission of restoring what is still broken, providing Black and Hispanic people with down payment grants, financial education, and home maintenance assistance. Beyond grant applications, this focus on education sparks difficult conversations that citizens, governments, and everyone in between should be having to increase awareness and continue highlighting the consequences of historic discrimination. Based in Pasadena, California, the organization has granted access to homeownership for close to 70 families across the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, Atlanta, Baltimore / DC, Portland, and beyond. Since its establishment, Greenline has experienced gradual year-over-year growth, with collective grants awarded totaling over $1.6 million. How did it all begin? With a single realization that a specific history has led society to this dire point. Jasmin Shupper Faced with racial tensions and awareness rising after the murder of George Floyd, Jasmin Shupper, Founder and Executive Director, started investigating ways in which she could make a real difference. As a licensed real estate agent, she continued deepening her industry knowledge, quickly understanding that racial homeownership disparities were glaring. Statistics confirmed her biggest fear, clearly demonstrating that, despite the Fair Housing Act passed in 1968, the homeownership rate for Black and Hispanic owners was just 44.7% and 51%, respectively, compared with 72.4% for White Americans. A fusion of Shupper's passion and expertise, founding Greenline in 2020 was the natural next step. Remedying race-based damage with race-based solutions, the nonprofit works with qualified Black and Hispanic families, not limited to low-income households. Greenline's approach is personal, with its team acting almost as family members offering down payment assistance. This philosophy addresses another striking gap , as down payment help from family is received by 46% of White homebuyers, compared to only 10% of Black homeowners. "The homeownership barrier is already exorbitantly high, and people of color have been facing an uphill battle for centuries. Because of historical discrimination, many of them haven't been able to build generational wealth through real estate, consequently staying behind their White counterparts," explains Shupper. To bridge this gap, Greenline fills this role, providing down payment and home maintenance grants to the underserved. Through a strategic partnership with a like-minded nonprofit, Thrivent, the organization was also able to provide more than 1,000 hours of financial education. As completing it is mandatory for anyone applying for down payment grants, Greenline strives to empower more families to achieve their dreams. But all the families touched by the $1.6 million in grants are more than an impressive number; they are real people with real stories, like that of Nicholas and Erika, proud homeowners from Atlanta: The Greenline grant made a significant difference in our ability to purchase our home by providing the necessary funds for the down payment. Without the grant, we would have struggled to accumulate the required amount of money, potentially delaying or even preventing us from buying a home. The grant not only eased our financial burden but also gave us the opportunity to secure a home that meets our needs and aspirations. Overall, the Greenline grant was instrumental in making our dream of homeownership a reality. Beyond the aforementioned resources, Greenline is playing a pivotal role in alleviating the suffering from the recent Eaton fire in California. As a Pasadena resident, Jasmin felt a personal commitment to serving the community. Focused on mid- to long-term support, they created a wildfire relief fund , which, because of Greenline's established trust and position, garnered enough attention to raise over $1.8 million. Additionally, Greenline secured newly built, fully-furnished apartments in Glendale and Downtown LA and assisted 15 families, providing over $300,000 in rental assistance thus far. Keeping displaced families close to home was especially important for this nonprofit. "Every person that leaves changes the community's fabric," adds Shupper. "We know that when people are displaced by natural disasters, the further away they move temporarily, the less likely they are to return. We didn't want to see this happen in Altadena. It is a uniquely diverse community, due in part to its rate of Black homeownership, which is almost double the national average." Greenline is also a pioneer in purchasing burned lots as part of its fire relief efforts. So far, it has been able to purchase one property with another one currently in escrow, keeping the land of Altadena protected from potential developers and investors. "Not everyone will have the best interest of the community in mind in the rebuilding. Altadena is not for sale, and we'll do whatever we can to protect it," she adds. After five years of relying solely on private grants, Greenline, for its immediate response to the Pasadena fires, is starting to receive institutional funding. Looking into the future, the organization's plans are as audacious as the issue they're trying to solve. With hopes of attracting more private and institutional donors , its goal is to assist fire victims not only in relocating but also in rebuilding the homes they had lost. "Though we've been growing exponentially over the years, we know that all of this is only scratching the surface of the impact we hope to make," stresses Shupper. "And, no matter what, we will continue working hard. Because closing the racial wealth and homeownership gaps is not only about covering a down payment; it's about restoring justice, one home at a time."
