by Barbara Smith Photos by Earl Edwards Historically artists have used their creativity and platforms to challenge the status quo, inspire movements, and drive social change. In keeping with this continuum, a coterie of committed artists, advocates for social justice and community members gathered at Santa Ana College last week for an interactive concert, “Artists ...

Known for its vibrant Arts and Cultural scene, which includes a wide range of artistic expressions, California embraces the people that make living here so very special.  For example, with the rise in hate crimes locally and nationally, California has launched initiatives and legislation aimed at promoting tolerance and healing divisions. The “Stop the Hate” ...

As part of California’s coordinated response to a nationwide increase in hate, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), alongside state and community partners, released new data highlighting the impact of California vs Hate in its first year of operation and announced new and ongoing initiatives to combat hate across the state. Officially launched a year ...

By Charlene Muhammad California Black Media On the night of March 10, Ramadan began for some two billion believers across the Muslim world. The Islamic Holy Month is a time of spiritual renewal for all participants, including many who do not identify as Muslim. Each year, an increasing number of individuals beyond the Muslim world ...

By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media The California vs. Hate Resource Line, established to assist victims of hate crimes and hate incidents in the Golden State, received 823 calls from 79% of California’s 58 counties during its first nine months of operation. The telephone line’s first anniversary is in May. Since its launch, callers have dialed the hotline at 833-8-NO-HATE ...

By Dianne Anderson Advocates and experts came together last week for strategies around rising hate crime, and the need to increase local awareness of the importance of calling and reporting incidents through 211 LA County, or www.lavshate.org. In the quarterly meeting of Los Angeles County’s Network Against Hate Crime, Robin Toma noted the 2022 Hate ...

California residents can visit CAvsHate.org or call 833-8-NO-HATE to report acts of hate and receive assistance in more than 200 languages Amid ongoing reports of increased hate activity, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) highlighted new informational materials to help connect Californians with support through California vs Hate, the state’s anti-hate hotline and resource network. CA vs Hate ...

By Dianne Anderson A new infusion of funding is helping in the fight for justice against targeted hate crime attacks, which typically runs double or more for Blacks over all other groups in Orange County. The quest to address racist violence is starting to shape up for local activists. The state of California has issued ...

by Barbara Smith Art has the power to shape perspectives, ignite conversations, and inspire meaningful change. As hate crimes in our state continue to rise, a gathering of talented, committed artists convened at San Bernardino Valley College last week to present a “Stand Against Hate” concert that not only entertained but encouraged dialogue and community ...

by Barbara Smith California is engaged in an unprecedented effort to combat hate crimes where we saw a 20% increase in such crimes in 2022. Disturbing is last year’s steep increases in such crimes against transgender people (up 55%), Muslims (up 39%) and Black people (up 27 %). According to a soon-to be-released study by ...