AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS

Last week was symbolic for the Black community on many levels. It began with Kendrick Lamar’s powerful Super Bowl halftime performance and ended with JD Vance addressing the European Union in Munich on the dangers of multiculturalism. The reality is that when migrants invade any land and attempt to dismantle its traditions, culture, and foundational beliefs, they can tear the fabric of society apart. That is exactly what is happening in Europe, and to a lesser extent, it is occurring right here in America as well.

All one needs to do is listen to podcasts like IlmFeed to understand that Europe has been overrun with Islamic ideology—it has embedded itself and is attempting to change the culture to align with Muslim beliefs. It has festered and now deeply influences the UK in negative ways. The worst part is that those who believe in freedom of expression, the right to vote, and democracy itself are being overshadowed by Islamic interpretations of these very concepts. In Islam, followers adhere to Allah’s traditions, which include the oppression of women and children and the belief that those who do not subscribe to their religion are outsiders, if not enemies.

the Fragile State of WESTERN VALUES

When JD Vance stepped up to the podium in Munich, few expected much beyond typical political rhetoric. Instead, he made a bold move, declaring, “There’s a new sheriff in town,” making it clear that America’s priorities under the Trump administration’s influence would shift dramatically. His speech was a warning to Western nations, particularly those struggling with the consequences of mass immigration and cultural shifts. It resonated because it addressed a reality too many refuse to acknowledge: unchecked immigration and cultural shifts are reshaping nations at an alarming rate.

Europe, in particular, has become a cautionary tale. Migrants from various regions have arrived not to assimilate but to dismantle and reshape foundational traditions. While America maintains a constitutional separation of church and state, its foundations rest on Christian values. That’s what America was built on—Christian tradition. And now, the very fabric of that foundation is being disrupted by individuals coming from other nations to take advantage of the American system or bringing ideologies that threaten our way of life.

Yet, Democrats continue to ignore these warnings. They dismiss Vance’s speech as fearmongering while failing to recognize that cultural erosion leads to societal collapse. America was built on slavery, yet the nation has continually failed to acknowledge the full weight of Black contributions. Now, with new demographic shifts, the same government that refuses to honor its debt to ADOS is bending over backward to accommodate others.

the ADOS Legacy AS TOLD BY KENDRICK LAMAR

In contrast to Vance’s speech, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a cultural event that centered on the Black experience. His set was filled with symbolism that resonated deeply with the ADOS community, highlighting our legacy of struggle, resilience, and cultural impact.

From music to sports to literature, American Black culture has been a global commodity since 1619. We have gone from being called animals and sold on butcher blocks to now gaining momentum on the topic of reparations for American Blacks—the descendants of slaves. We have always managed to overcome degradation and struggle. American Blacks have set the trends in music, art, literature, and sports. Recently, I read "The Message" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and in his essay, he discusses a woman he met in Senegal—an ocean away from America—who had been studying his work. This indicates that American Black culture and intellect are global.

Music and rap are just a few of the industries where American Blacks have established trends that have gained global recognition. No other industry has evolved as extensively through pure, organic influence as the Black music industry. The same can be said for Black contributions to sports, fashion, and education. Black Americans have shaped this country in undeniable ways, yet we are still overlooked and treated as if we don’t matter. Just when Lamar made that message clear, Democrats swooped in, attempting to capitalize on the moment.

Ayanna Pressley and Summer Lee, both left-leaning Democrats, held a press conference the following day to push the same tired, useless reparations bill that was tossed to Pressley from Sheryl Lee Jackson after her death. H.R. 40 was officially introduced in 1989. The bill, titled the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, is the same legislation that has baited ADOS communities for nearly 30 years.

With tears flowing from her eyes, Pressley discussed her heartfelt commitment to pushing forward the same tired bill—to study reparations. Knowing how badly the Democrats lost in the last election, they took this moment to gaslight the Black community: We can’t promise much, but we promise you, African Americans—which is not specific to ADOS—that we will continue to push forward the bill to study reparations.

As if there is anything left to study when it comes to slavery, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, prison reform, or any other government policy that has held the ADOS community back. The oppression of American Blacks is well-documented. America never paid what was owed to the descendants of slavery. We don’t need a study—we need action.

Matt Walsh & the Whitewashing of History

Last week also saw the voices of individuals like, Matt Walsh who took to his Podcast podium to make the claim that America was not built on slavery, but was built solely by white men, conveniently erasing the labor, ingenuity, and suffering of Black Americans. This type of revisionist history is not just misleading—it’s dangerous. It allows those in power to justify denying reparations, refusing economic redress, and dismissing the centuries of forced labor that made America the global superpower it is today.

In 1860, just five years before the Civil War ended, there were 4 million enslaved Africans in America, contributing directly to the nation's agricultural and industrial wealth. Their labor created generational wealth for white families while Black Americans were left with nothing. Even after slavery, policies like Jim Crow laws, redlining, and mass incarceration ensured that Black Americans remained systematically disenfranchised.

Yet, people like Walsh continue to push a sanitized version of history, where Black labor, Black pain, and Black contributions are mere footnotes. His refusal to acknowledge this reality isn’t just ignorance—it’s an intentional effort to maintain racial and economic inequality. Meanwhile, as ADOS calls for reparations, the same government that built its wealth on Black labor is now prioritizing new groups, offering resources, opportunities, and protections that were never extended to the descendants of slavery.

The Absence of an ADOS Champion

The biggest issue facing the Black community isn’t just systemic racism—it’s the lack of authentic leadership. The so-called Black leaders propped up by the Democratic Party—Jamal Bryant, Al Sharpton, Ayanna Pressley, Hakeem Jeffries—have repeatedly failed ADOS.

Jamal Bryant preaches a prosperity gospel while using his pulpit to push leftist politics, often aligning with movements that do not prioritize the specific needs of ADOS. Instead of fostering genuine progress, he operates his ministry as a business, profiting off his congregation while failing to deliver meaningful change. Bryant frequently uses out-of-context scripture to support his political stances, whether on the Harris campaign, abortion rights, or his attempts to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the Black church’s past positions. However, his actions often appear performative rather than rooted in genuine conviction, casting doubt on his authenticity as a leader.

Al Sharpton has built an entire career on performative activism, accepting political donations and backroom deals while delivering nothing tangible for the Black community. His recent failed attempt to promote a 'buy-in' at Costco in response to a diversity scandal proved how out of touch he really is. The $25 gift cards, promised to those who participated in a 'buy-in' rather than a boycott, weren’t enough—Black customers left without buying anything. And when they refused to return and make purchases, Sharpton and his team tried to guilt them into going back, revealing how little real influence he has over Black consumer power.

Sharpton also seems to believe that the Black community has forgotten about Tawana Brawley and the controversy that exposed his willingness to exploit racial tensions for personal gain. The truth is, many in the Black community do not trust him. He is no leader to our community, yet he continuously inserts himself into every cultural event that impacts us, as though he still holds the moral authority to speak on our behalf.

Then there’s Hakeem Jeffries, the supposed “head” of the Democratic Party. Once a Pan-Africanist, he now prioritizes his allegiance to AIPAC over the Black voters who put him in office. Rather than advocating for reparations or pushing meaningful economic policies that could empower ADOS, he aligns himself with mainstream Democratic talking points, sidestepping the pressing need for Black economic advancement.

He, along with others, has mastered the art of political theater—showing up for photo ops, making empty promises, and delivering little in return. Jeffries wants the Black community to believe he is their advocate, but his actions suggest otherwise. His loyalty lies with corporate donors and political elites, not the ADOS community. He is quick to lecture on democracy and equity but slow to act when it comes to meaningful policies that would close the racial wealth gap.

Jeffries' record reflects a pattern of appeasement and political convenience rather than bold leadership, proving that his political survival outweighs the interests of those who elected him. Circling back to what happened in Munich, JD Vance delivered a message to majority-white nations—one that resonated deeply with the Republican base. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Super Bowl, amplifying a message that spoke directly to the American Black community, highlighting the struggle, resilience, and impact of ADOS. The difference? One side has leaders willing to act. The other relies on symbolism and empty gestures.

While Vance and Trump continue to solidify their support, the Democratic Party remains leaderless, unable to craft a message or policy that aligns with ADOS interests. The problem isn’t just poor messaging—it’s the absence of leadership with the will to act. Without a true advocate for ADOS, Black voters are left questioning their political home. If Democrats do not step up and deliver for the Black community, they will lose more than just an election—they will lose the very people who built this nation.

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© 2025 Jacqueline Session. All Rights Reserved.

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