By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Related Articles Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
As Canadian consumers on spending after years of rising costs, some retailers are cutting prices to lure people back into their stores. recently announced a plan to lower prices on some of its merchandise in s after front store sales declined, driven in part by lower customer spend on such convenience items as food and household goods. “There is some pressure to keep consumers returning to the ‘store,’ even if its margin reduced,” said retail market strategist David Ian Gray. One stock analyst covering several Canadian retailers said they expect other grocers to follow suit, if they have not already done so, should the planned pricing action by Loblaw lead to share gains although those companies may not publicize it as Loblaw did. Food prices are mostly competitive, and all grocers are priced closely within their competitive set week after week, according to their analysis of stores such as No Frills, Walmart, Food Basics or Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys, explained the analyst, who asked not to be named. This means if prices for certain items at one grocer does go down, other retailers will likely match it to remain competitive. A significant number of public companies both sides of the border have revised their revenue guidance downward for the balance of the year, said Gray, adding that the retail industry “is super anxious,” not just about the rest of 2024 but 2025 and beyond. , which released its third quarter earnings on Nov. 7, highlighted a continued constraint in consumer spending, especially discretionary, in its earnings results. The company has experienced a decline in spending across every segment over the past five quarters, chief executive Greg Hicks told analysts, and seen sustained evidence of the Canadian shift to value and discounts. “Although we’ve experienced multiple this year, consumers remain understandably cautious,” Hicks said during the earnings call. “Their spending reflected that restraint, but we were prepared.” Gray said Canadian Tire’s mention of a big drop in consumer confidence and a drop in demand for discretionary items provides a relevant snapshot for other Canadian retailers. In the case of Loblaw, he said the company is taking an across-the-board approach to shore up its own declining revenues last quarter, with Shoppers Drug Mart targeted as having some margin room to work with. “This week, we launched a new program across our Shoppers and pharmacy network to lower the prices of hundreds of items that are most important to our customers,” Loblaw chief executive Per Bank said during the Nov. 13 earnings call. Customers’ shift to value and discount products had a slight impact on food sales in Shoppers Drug Mart stores, the chief executive said, noting that the company continues to see this shift to discount and value in the fourth quarter, with stronger sales growth at its Maxi and No Frills stores. As a result, Shoppers will have lowered prices for a range of household products, including snacks, vitamins and shampoo, the company said. “Food was down a little bit, and we’re addressing that by... lowering prices on 400 items,” Bank told analysts. “By lowering more than 400 products by 10 to 50 per cent, we will encourage more customers to shop in our front store.” Retail analyst Bruce Winder said this is the company responding to “a more value driven consumer,” which is a huge investment for Loblaw/Shoppers Drug Mart. With convenience offerings priced sharply now, the campaign from Loblaw should help Shoppers Drug Mart pick up market share as word gets out, he said. Major retailers in the United States have pledged similar price cuts on thousands of items this year. Just last month, Target Corp. it will reduce regular prices on more than 2,000 items, including food and beverages, everyday essentials and holiday gifts, ahead of the holiday season. Those reductions follow Target’s previous announcement in May of cutting prices on about 5,000 items, eventually lowering prices on more than 8,000 total items year to date. Target said it “routinely adjusts its prices to remain competitive” in markets across the country. Walmart in the U.S. has also reportedly been working on cutting prices on grocery staples. The retail giant’s chief executive, Doug McMillion, said during the company’s second quarter earnings call in August that the company will be officially slicing the prices of 7,200 products within their stores.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has turned his attention to the gaming industry, sharply criticising the increasing prevalence of "woke" agendas in modern video games. Musk, who is no stranger to controversy, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disdain for the trend, highlighting how games infused with progressive themes have failed to resonate with players. In a series of posts, Musk openly attacked the inclusion of pronouns in fantasy games, labelling it " utterly unacceptable ". His comments were prompted by a post from former video game executive Mark Kern, who highlighted the use of pronouns in the upcoming role-playing game Avowed . Kern described the move as symptomatic of a " woke mind virus ," urging gamers to reject such trends. Musk amplified Kern's sentiments, stating that the presence of pronouns in such games detracts from their artistic integrity. Per a video shared by Elon Docs , Musk also criticised interruptions in gaming experiences caused by what he called "DEI woke bullsh*t," referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Musk argued that such elements disrupt the immersive nature of video games, stating, "You do not want to do things that damage art. It breaks you out of the story." Musk's criticism comes amidst a broader cultural backlash against political messaging in video games. This sentiment has been mirrored by failures in the gaming industry, where several "woke" titles have flopped spectacularly. Among the most notable examples is Concord , an online multiplayer game developed by Sony. According to Ryan Watterson , an AI expert and filmmaker, the game's failure was due to its overtly ideological themes that alienated its target audience. Watterson observed that Concord struggled to attract players not because of gameplay issues but because its marketing and narrative clashed with gamers' values. "No one wanted to be caught dead playing or supporting it," he remarked. Similarly, other titles such as Dustborn and Suicide Squad have been criticised for prioritising political messaging over player satisfaction. The failures of games like Concord and Dustborn are emblematic of a broader miscalculation within the industry. Per reports from Mario Nawfal , host of the Largest Show on X, Concord failed to maintain even 100 concurrent players, while Dustborn peaked at a dismal 83 players. In stark contrast, Black Myth: Wukong , a non-political game, sold 10 million copies within three days of release, showcasing the significant gap between player expectations and the industry's current direction. Nawfal summarised the issue succinctly: "Gamers want content, not ideology." He argued that games steeped in political narratives often fail because they neglect the core audience—predominantly young, multicultural men—who are drawn to gameplay and storytelling rather than divisive messaging. Watterson echoed this sentiment, stating that developers are wasting massive budgets on games that cater to ideological agendas rather than consumer demand. He likened these efforts to " taking Marvel-sized money to fund Pureflix-level projects ," warning that continued failures would shrink budgets and leave room for competitors who understand market realities. The backlash against "woke" gaming may mark a turning point for the industry. Players are increasingly demanding that developers return to the fundamentals of engaging gameplay and creative storytelling. According to FandomWire , Musk's criticism has resonated with fans who are eager for games to focus on entertainment rather than activism. As failures like Concord and Dustborn continue to pile up, the gaming industry faces a critical choice: adapt to player preferences or risk further financial and reputational damage. For now, Musk's statements have amplified the call for developers to abandon divisive themes and prioritise the art of gaming itself.
Arsenal make Mikel Arteta proud after smashing Sporting LisbonSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing on Monday after missing his first career game because of an injury and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. Purdy hurt his throwing shoulder during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that San Francisco lost 38-10 . Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. “We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help,” Shanahan said. “He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we’ll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We’re going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We’ll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we’ll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest.” Brandon Allen went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. Purdy wasn't the only star player missing for the 49ers on Sunday with defensive end Nick Bosa missing the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique and left tackle Trent Williams out with an ankle injury. “Just waiting to see how they respond,” Shanahan said. “They didn’t respond great last week. That’s why they weren’t able to go. Nick and Trent are both in the same boat. ... We’ll evaluate as this week progresses and hopefully it turns a better corner than it did last week.” In other injury news, linebacker Dre Greenlaw will return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl last season. Greenlaw will likely need at least a couple of weeks of practice before being able to return to play. Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano will be shut down for the rest of the season after his knee injury didn't fully heal. Feliciano's three-week practice window ended Monday and the Niners decided to keep him on injured reserve instead of activating him. Left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and receiver Jacob Cowing all remain in concussion protocol to start this week and their status is unknown. Right guard Dominick Puni (shoulder) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. Cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens is expected to return to practice this week after missing the past four games with a groin injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThis Little-Known IRS Trick Can Protect Your Income Taxes, but You Need to Act Now