US

Kanye West Long Shot For US Presidency

Published

5 years ago

July 16, 2020

Kanye West’s July 4th claim to run for president has caused an internet stir and left the punditocracy at odds, trying to determine the veracity and seriousness of the rapper’s intentions. Is Kanye West for real? Or is this merely a publicity stunt?… Or could it be, dare it to be said, a strategic move to split the vote?

Once buddies, united in the common goal “to make America great again,” Kanye West and Donald Trump are now purportedly adversaries in the race to the White House.

On America’s Independence day, the musician and entrepreneur dropped an ambiguous tweet that implied in no uncertain terms his intention to run in the 2020 US Elections.

“I am running for president of the United States“ said West in a bold tweet, which has received more than half a million retweets and comments and has been liked by 1.2 million people since July 4th, and that almost instantly received the backing of billionaire Elon Musk. The electric carmaker tweeted his response to West’s post immediately: “You have my full support!”

That this bombshell comes out of nowhere is an understatement. The understatement to end all understatements, leaving many scratching their heads. Why, only a few months ago, West was gushing over his chum, Trump, in an interview with GQ’s Will Wench. Even, implying his intention to vote for the “America first” president in November. “No, I’m definitely voting this time,” West said. “And we know who I’m voting on.”

The rapper – according to his own boasts over the years – never voted in his life. Voting for Trump therefore would have been a departure from practice. And yet: he’s taken it a step further now, putting himself in direct competition with the man he once fondly dubbed a father figure.

The timing of his announcement, more so than anything else – four months before the general election and, coincidentally, just in time for his album drop, no less – has prompted many to question his sincerity. Indeed, the experts don’t appear to be buying what he’s selling – at least, not yet.

It’s fair to say West’s supporters may well be chuffed about the idea of a West administration, but the wider public isn’t quite so. The opposite in fact as there’s a growing reductionist view, oscillating between suspicion and, in more extreme cases, outright derision. Then again, if the aim is publicity, then it’s a stroke of genius. After all, West is dominating the media narrative for nearly a fortnight. Success.

In an interview with Forbes reporter Randall Lane, who interviewed Kanye West right after the dramatic tweet that sent social media into a right tizzy, the mercurial California-based rapper made some rather outlandish and curious claims, not least in revealing the name of his party – the Birthday Party – and his idea to model his administration in the image of the fictional world depicted in the blockbuster movie, Black Panther.

So I spent four hours talking with @kanyewest yesterday, his first interview since his Fourth of July Tweet declaring he’s running for president in 2020. We covered a lot of ground….(1/x) https://t.co/ezzrl717lU

— Randall Lane (@RandallLane) July 8, 2020

West claimed that while “Trump is the closest president we’ve had in years to allowing God to still be part of the conversation,” his MAGA days were now over. That his support of Trump was all along merely an act of protest.

“One of the main reasons I wore the red hat as a protest to the segregation of votes in the Black community,” said West.

Although he then elaborated this reasoning further by suggesting that somehow interior design was at the root of the support as well, “other than the fact that I like Trump hotels and the saxophones in the lobby.”

Actress Debra Messing called West’s presidential bid a ploy to syphon votes away from Joe Biden, and consequently paving the way for a Trump victory. To this allegation of splitting the vote West said, “That is a form of racism and white supremacy and white control to say that all Black people need to be Democrat and to assume that me running is me splitting the vote.”

West went on to add that he felt threatened. “I was threatened as a celebrity into being in one party. I was threatened as a Black man into the Democratic party. And that’s what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a Black man if you don’t vote for me, you’re not Black.”

As filing deadlines in states such as Texas have already come and gone, and deadlines in key states such as Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania etc. are fast looming on the horizon (admittedly, West has less than 30 days to make his final decision, when the deadline for most states will have passed), the likelihood of West running for president looks slim. Nevertheless, he’s managed to seize a captive audience. To what end, only time will tell.

US

Creating Safe Havens: Inside Genesis USA’s Vision for Inclusive Housing

Published

6 months ago

December 3, 2024

Jimmy Lerner

Photo Courtesy of GenesisUSA

GenesisUSA, a nonprofit based in Arlington, Texas, works to improve the lives of disabled veterans and children who have lost their parents. Led by Charles Ford, the organization goes beyond providing financial aid. It focuses on long-term solutions, like building wheelchair-accessible homes, to support independence and dignity for those in need. With rising housing costs and growing inequality, GenesisUSA’s mission addresses a critical gap.

Ford and his team create supportive environments that help promote self-reliance in underserved communities. As a smaller, community-based organization, it addresses challenges that can be difficult for larger organizations to manage. Its work shows how local initiatives can make a noticeable difference.

A Growing Crisis: The Need for Accessible Housing

The demand for affordable and accessible housing continues to grow. A 2023 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that more than 11 million U.S. households need homes with accessibility features. This challenge is more pronounced for disabled veterans, with nearly four million living in homes that do not meet their physical needs.

“Our veterans have sacrificed a lot for this country, but many still face housing that doesn’t suit their needs,” Ford says. “Beyond merely providing them shelter, we’re creating a space where they can live comfortably.”

GenesisUSA is responding by building homes designed for accessibility. These houses include ramps, wider doorways, and modified kitchens and bathrooms to allow veterans to live more independently. The organization also plans to create supportive environments for children who have lost their parents, many of whom also face mobility challenges.

Ford’s Community-Driven Leadership at GenesisUSA

Ford’s years of experience in construction and his dedication to charitable work have shaped his leadership at GenesisUSA. He stays closely involved, often meeting veterans and families to learn about their needs firsthand. “For me, it’s about building personal connections,” Ford says. “Large charities sometimes miss the individual stories.”

The community focus defines Ford’s leadership. Although some wonder if a smaller nonprofit can make a meaningful impact, Ford is confident. “We don’t have celebrity endorsements or huge budgets, but we have real relationships with the people we help,” he says. His dedication to grassroots efforts sets GenesisUSA apart from larger, more structured organizations.

GenesisUSA has already helped over 100 people and aims to expand its impact with affordable, accessible housing solutions. One notable feature is the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool, which has received positive feedback. Ford says, “We’re creating spaces where people can enjoy life fully, just like everyone else,” which reflects the organization’s mission to support independence and inclusion.

Building More Than Homes: A Reflection of Hope

Ford looks back on GenesisUSA’s progress with a clear sense of purpose. “We’re not simply building homes, we’re offering hope and building opportunities for independence,” he says. “We’re here to support veterans who face mobility challenges and children who have lost their parents, offering them a chance at a more self-reliant life.”

As the organization’s reach expands, so does its ability to impact lives across the country. Its work embodies Ford’s dedication to ensuring that no one is overlooked. Ford envisions scaling their efforts while maintaining the personalized approach that defines their model.

“We’re still in the early stages,” he notes. “As we grow, we’ll continue to prioritize individual needs. Our success hinges on the improved quality of life for each person we help.”

As the demand for accessible, supportive housing rises, organizations like GenesisUSA play an important role in filling gaps left by larger institutions and government programs. Through its focus on tailored support and community-driven solutions, GenesisUSA is building a model for how smaller nonprofits can significantly impact and address pressing social needs.