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New State Law Restricts Payday, Other “Debt Trap” Loans

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media 

On Oct. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 539. The legislation puts restrictions on predatory lending practices in California he says “creates debt traps for families already struggling financially.” Critics say lenders who offer these high-interest loans target disadvantaged people, large numbers of them Black and Brown consumers living in some of the most underserved census tracts in the state. These are Californians who are typically denied traditional bank loans because of poor credit or lack of collateral. However, the high interest rates on these loans can be crippling.  According to documents provided to California Black Media, a LoanMe Inc. loan for around $5,000 would require a payback of $42,000 over seven years at a 115 percent annual percentage rate! Tacking interest rates on loans as high as 200 percent sometimes,  in addition to hidden fees, predatory lenders, critics tell us, typically structure their loans in ways that force people who sign up for them to constantly re-borrow money to pay off the mounting debts they already owe.  “Many Californians living paycheck to paycheck are exploited by predatory lending practices each year,” said Newsom.  “Defaulting on high-cost, high-interest rate installment loans push families further into poverty instead of pulling them out. These families deserve better, and this industry must be held to account.” The new legislation restricts the amount of interest that can be levied on loans ranging from $2,500-10,000 to 36 percent, plus the federal funds rate.  “Gov. Newsom’s signature on AB 539 sends a strong message that California will not allow lenders to thrive on high-cost loans that often leave consumers worse off than when they started,” said Assemblymember Monique Lim?n (D-Santa Barbara,) co-author of the bill.

“I am grateful to the broad coalition of community groups, faith leaders, local governments, and responsible lenders who supported this historic achievement and helped us achieve strong bipartisan support of this legislation.” Limon has been campaigning for the passage of AB 539 for more than two years now. She is also a champion for financial education that informs consumers about the dangers of high-interest loans.  Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord), a co-author of the bill, says the governor signing the bill signals the end of the worst kinds of abusive loans in the state. “Californians deserve real access to capital, not exploitative loans that trap them in perpetual payments and compounding debt,” said Grayson. “We must do more to protect financially vulnerable, hardworking families from predatory lenders who profit off their devastation.” Figures from the California Department of Business Oversight (CBO) reveal that in 2016 the total dollar amount for payday loans in the state was $3.14 billion. The CBO also stated that seniors now represent the largest group taking out payday loans and more than 400,000 consumers in the state took out 10 payday loans in 2016. A third of those high-cost loans ended up in default.  Not everyone is cheering the passage of AB 539. Those opponents say the bill is restrictive and undermines the values of free-market capitalism.  The California-Hawaii chapter of the NAACP  opposed the bill, arguing that it limits options for poor African Americans who need to borrow money in emergencies.  “We are deeply concerned about the impact AB 539 will have on small businesses and consumers. As proposed, AB 539 will limit lenders’ ability to provide a variety of short-term credit options to borrowers in need.” said the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in an interview with California Globe.

Crafton Hills College Foundation Unveils Legacy Society Wall

On Friday, October 11, 2019, a ceremony honored individuals who have made substantial gifts to support the programs and students at Crafton Hills College. Michelle Riggs, Director of Institutional Advancement, explained that “this Legacy Wall in the Crafton Center provides recognition of individuals who have given cumulative gifts, estate-planned gifts or irrevocable life-income gifts of $10,000 or more to the Crafton Hills College Foundation.” The CHC Foundation provides financial support to assist struggling Crafton students in reaching their educational goals and enhances the programs and services available at the college. 

Anthony Abate, CHC Alumnus

Alumnus Anthony Abate shared his journey with attendees at the event. “This wall represents the reason why many of us were able to continue working toward our goals. It also represents why many students here have realized, some for the very first time in their lives, that they are capable of succeeding regardless of their circumstance. The reason why my success story along with so many other students who have defied the odds is possible is because of the generosity and heart of all you, our donors, and the work that the Crafton Hills College Foundation does to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity,” Abate said. He detailed how the support of the CHC Foundation enabled him to succeed and graduate from Crafton with three degrees after having dropped out of high school. “Throughout my time here as a student, I noticed that something was significantly different about this school. For the first time, I was supported and surrounded by people who wanted me to succeed just as much as I wanted it for myself,” Abatecontinued. Grateful for the assistance provided when he needed it most, Abate recently became a member of the CHC Foundation Presidents’ Circle to give back and help others. 

Former CHC president, Gloria Harrison, shared her personal story of education and the reason that she and her husband Bill choose to support the CHC Foundation. She explained that their own higher education experiences were possible because of the opportunities available through community colleges. She believes it is essential to give back to our community and the institutions that helped her become the woman she is today. Gloria said, “The community college was where we got our start and realized that education was a means of being more than we ever thought we could be.”

Crafton Hills College President Dr. Kevin Horan closed the ceremony with his thanks to the individuals who invest in Crafton. “Your gifts allow us to give every student what they need to have a dream, complete their degree, and move on to create more goals and be outstanding citizens, contributing to their local community.” He went on to explain that Crafton students have the highest retention rate in the Inland Empire and the 19th highest among all 114 California Community Colleges. He continued, “Your investment in Crafton Hills College students is an investment in this community. Our students are engaged, finish their degrees and certificates, and will enrich the Inland Empire in the future.” 

To support the Crafton Hills College Foundation, visit https://www.craftonhills.edu/foundation.

Donors recognized on the Crafton Hills College Legacy Society Wall include:

Visionaries $500,000 +

Stanley Krasovec

Benefactors $100,000 – $499,999

Raymond Pryke 

Henry Stone and Elaine Rosen

Pacesetters $50,000 – $99,999

William and Gloria Harrison 

Bill and Nelda Rankin

Founders $25,000 – $49,999

Diane J. Pfahler

James and Theresa Ramos

Jon and Laura Winningham

Donald and Carol Averill

Wayne and Doris Milloy

Donald J. Nydam

Scholars $10,000 – $24,999

Leroy and Marilyn Balch

Paul and Joann Barich

Bruce and Elizabeth Baron

Jane K. Beitscher

Nicolas Campos

Win and Bette Carl

Gordon and Sara Clopine

Cheryl A. Cox

Donna M. Ferracone

Robert B. Martin and Mary E. Goldsboro

Luis and Patricia Gomez

Leon and Francine Hellerman

Douglas C. Heller-Taylor

Brent and Sherry Hunter

Sam Irwin

Nancy and Gary Kasin

Thomas and Josie Konzem

Steve and Rebeccah Marlatt

Patrick and Cheryl Marshall

Alaina Mathews

Brandon and Julie McKee

William and Linda Nassar

Charlie and Tommi Ng

Dr. Phong Nguyen

David and Diane Raley

Michael and Amy Strong

Harvey Ricketts and Betty Jo Wood

June C. Yamamoto  





Historic Block Party, Recognizing a Living Legend

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The founder of Provisional Accelerated Learning –PAL Center Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry will be honored at the upcoming Community Block party on Saturday October 26, 2019; 12PM – 3PM  at Dr. Mildred Henry Elementary, located at 1250 W 14th Street, San Bernardino. Dr. Henry is a Portrait of an Achiever, she is still active within our educational system, educating young minds and mentoring and being an example for many to follow.

And yet, in San Bernardino, the residents are still being plagued with gun-violence, crime, and shootings. We encourage the community to not lose hope.  This is why the San Bernardino Pastors United -SBPU and community leaders come together, to take a stand in solidarity. The theme for the historic block party, “Our God Will Provide” Gen 22: 11-14.    

We are expecting thousands to be in attendance, Come early. At the event, there will be free food, free groceries,  free gifts and prizes for the kids, free clothes and free health checks, job resources. The host church will be Victory Outreach Church, located at 990 W Mill Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410. Pastor Rick Alanis Jr. will deliver a life-changing message. The SBPU is asking the community to join us, as we remain strong, through providing:  “Healing, Change, and Progress” to the City of San Bernardino, for more information call 909-353-7977 or contact the Victory Outreach Church 909-884-1921 email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com. Register by phone, or go to our website www.sbpastorsunited.org

Let’s Keep California Teen Drivers Safe Behind the Wheel

National Teen Driver Safety Week is Oct. 20-26

This week, October 20-26 is National Teen Driver Safety Week and it is a great time for California teenagers and parents to talk to one another about how teenagers can travel safely on the roads, streets and highways. Parents are encouraged to talk to their teenagers about the importance of good safety habits when operating a vehicle. Self-reported surveys show that teens whose parents set firm rules for driving typically engage in less risky driving behaviors and are involved in fewer crashes.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is reminding all young motorists to focus on the road to help increase safety for everyone.

The greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol consumption, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and driving with passengers in the vehicle.Throughout the week (Oct. 20-26), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) offers tips to parents and caregivers on how to talk to teens about the consequences of making dangerous and illegal choices behind the wheel.

According to OTS

  • The number of California teen motor vehicle fatalities (age 16-19) increased 2.7 percent from 219 in 2015 to 225 in 2016.
  • The number of California teen driver fatalities (age 16-19) increased 12.3 percent from 98 in 2015 to 110 in 2016.

“All of us can play a role in helping to bring these tragic numbers down by encouraging teens to practice safe driving habits and really focus on the road,” says ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith. “ABC Agents are doing their part by conducting compliance checks at ABC licensed establishments throughout California in the effort to reduce youth access to alcohol.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old in the United States. In 2017, there were 2,247 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15 to 18 years old) and an estimated 93,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Parents can help protect their teen drivers by talking with them about these risks.

To help reduce the risks for teen drivers follow these basic rules:

  1. Impaired Driving: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol. However, nationally in 2017, 15 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system. 
  2. Seat Belt Safety: Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle. Yet too many teens aren’t buckling up. In fact, there were 539 passengers killed in passenger vehicles driven by teen drivers, and more than half (60 percent) of those passengers who died were NOT buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.
  3. Distracted Driving: Cell phone use while driving is more than just illegal, but also risky — it can be deadly. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.
  4. Speed Limits: Speeding is a critical issue for all drivers, especially for teens. In 2017, more than one-quarter (27 percent) of all teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.
  5. Passengers: The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.

Whether it’s impaired driving, not wearing a seat belt, speeding, driving distracted or with friends in the car, it’s important for parents to let their teen know that driving is not a right, but a privilege. It can be taken away when they don’t follow the rules. For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and to learn safe driving tips to share with your teens, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

Time for Change Foundation Joins My Black Counts Black HUB to Launch State-Wide 2020 Census Initiative

On Friday, October 18, the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub “The Black Hub” launched the My Black Counts campaign, an outreach, education, and communications initiative to target Black hard-to-count communities in preparation for the 2020 state census and redistricting process. Time for Change Foundation is participating in the Black Hub to lift up the voices of those we serve and make sure our communities are represented in the upcoming census. Together, we encourage greater participation among Black, Latinx and immigrant populations in six key regions throughout the state, dispel myths and help ease fears about the 2020 census process.

My Black Counts is an educational awareness and persuasion campaign designed to help explain how government officials use census data to allocate federal funding for the state of California. The Black Hub is a growing alliance of 30 grassroots community-based organizations that includes a coalition of groups such as Alliance San Diego, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Community Coalition (CoCo), Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), LA Community Action Network (LACAN), Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), andTime for Change Foundation.

Time for Change Foundation has been on the frontlines, since our inception in 2002, to lead advocacy and civic engagement activities that address the disenfranchisement of black and brown communities. For far too long our communities have been underrepresented and underserved which is why TFCF makes it a point to engage our base. They support women of color during the process of re-entering their communities and reuniting with their children after incarceration.

“If we don’t get an accurate count of the Black population, we will be misrepresented in our political representation,” stated Sereeta Reid, Policy Advocate at Time for Change. “It is critically important for our communities to be counted so that we receive adequate funding for our areas.”

Since 1980, Black and immigrant populations have had below-average participation in the census. More than 1 million residents in California live in non-traditional homes, lack access to the internet or have been formerly incarcerated, which My Black Counts categorizes as hard-to-count communities. The My Black Counts campaign wants to make a point that Black is not a monolith, and all representations of the Black count matter, especially during the 2020 Census survey.

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.myBlackCounts.org or visit our social media pages at Facebook.com/myBlackcounts and Twitter and Instagram @myBlackCounts.

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE SAN BERNARDINO-RIVERSIDE AREA

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Members of the San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated invite the community to join them this December in the celebration of its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. Since the Chapter’s charter on December 6, 1959, the sisterhood has served communities throughout the Inland Empire to improve economic and educational development, enhance physical and mental health, and to broaden political and international awareness as well as involvement.

This fundraising celebratory event will help support the Chapter’s annual scholarship awards, programs, and activities that: mentor school-aged youth; increase voter education and registration; advocate against domestic violence and human trafficking; support health-based groups such as the American Diabetes Association and the March of Dimes; and help youth as well as adults become more financially resilient.

WHAT: Celebrating Our Diamond Jubilee Anniversary: 60 Years of Community Service

WHO: San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Guest Host, Comedian Angel Gaines

WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 6:00PM – Midnight

WHERE: Doubletree Hotel, 285 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92408.

Ticket cost is $100 per person. The deadline to purchase tickets is November 10, 2019. For purchases contact a Chapter member or go to the Chapter website at www.sbraacdst.org and use the PayPal link.

Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion 2019-2020 Kick Off

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino 53rd Beautillion Scholarship 2019-2020 program under the leadership of Mrs. Tina Darling, Beautillion Chairperson is now in progress. Its’ not too late for young men seeking scholarship opportunities in addition to being mentored by leaders in the community to participate in this fabulous program.

It is great to have leaders such as Dr. Rose Culpepper and Bessine Little, City Council Woman, 6th Ward mentor young men this past Saturday.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Youth & Community Development (formerly Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino) located at 1180 W. 9th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411.

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com

CBCF Mourns the Loss of Legislative Giant, Former Board Member, and Champion for the City of Baltimore, The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings

WASHINGTON- CBCF President & CEO David A. Hinson issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Cummings:

“The CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council and staff collectively mourn the loss of House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings. He passed away this morning. 

“Since 1996, Congressman Cummings has represented Maryland’s 7th District as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to joining Congress, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 16 years and became the first African American in Maryland to be named Speaker Pro Tem.

“Rep. Cummings was a true champion for justice and dedicated his life to empower the citizens in his district, and people across the United States and the globe. His life’s work literally fulfilled CBCF’s mission to develop leaders, inform policy, and educate the public.

“The congressman previously served on CBCF’s board of directors and was an avid supporter of the Foundation’s many initiatives. This summer, he charged CBCF Congressional interns to ‘make a difference’ and ‘save this [our] democracy’. Earlier this year, he generously allowed CBCF staff to interview him for the AVOICE Heritage ‘Who I Am’ video.  

“In the fall of 2018, he and his wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings — founder of CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research — participated in the launch and celebration of the inaugural Journal of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research

CBCF will dearly miss this influential and pioneering lawmaker who helped transform his district and facilitated fundamental change. As a member of Congress with a full schedule, he made time to support CBCF and showed up when it mattered and where it counted. His eyes were ALWAYS on the prize and we will be forever grateful for his inspiring words and the countless treasures he has gifted us over the years. 

“We join others across the nation in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and constituents. May he rest in power.”

Requiem, Addendum: Emma Shaw…..Legacy

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

Depending on who you were and on how you knew Emma (Armstrong) then  Mrs. George Bernard Shaw, and possibly more importantly,  how she knew you,   you may have known and called Mrs. Emma Shaw by many different names and titles.  

Her titles were simple: daughter, sister, aunt,  wife,  mother;  Mrs Shaw,  etc.   None of us grew up with her during her early years, but we can see the evidence of  her strength,  honor,  charity,  faith,  and  LOVE  that was baked into and built  into the 300 or more Shaw children, grandchildren,  grandchildren,  and Great-Great-grandchildren. and beyond.  

Mrs. Emma Shaw was born in Louisiana in 1912.   She and her family moved to San Bernardino, California  in 1944 where she found jobs, including work at Norton Air Force Base and the National Orange Show.

Emma Shaw

The Shaw family,  now estimated to include more than 500 members,  reside throughout the U.S., but primarily around the Inland area.

Mrs. Shaw  passed on  September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old.  The Funeral Services were held on October 4, 2019, at Ecclesia Church in San Bernardino and were followed by a burial at Mt View Cemetery in San Bernardino.

Stephon Clark’s Brother, Sacramento Police Chief Sit Side-By-Side on Panel in D.C.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

“I jumped on the mayor’s desk, I had a few bizarre interviews on CNN, I did a lot of cussing out of our officers,” said Stevante Clark, a Sacramento-based rapper-turned-activist. He was talking about experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after police officers shot his brother, Stephon Clark, eight times, killing him in the backyard of their grandparents’ home in March 2018.

“I did a lot, but that’s not who I am,” Clark continued. “Those are situations that happened because of the death of my brother who I was close to, and I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t have the resources. My mental health was affected by my brothers death.”

Clark was speaking during a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Creating Policy for Sustainability in Underrepresented Communities,” held September 12, during the 2019 Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference. The Black caucus held its annual conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, from September 11-15.

Organized by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), the panel discussion drew guests from all over the country. They came to see officials, leaders and activists from California participate in a lively and thoughtful discussion about African-American life and well-being in Sacramento. The panelists dove into various ways public safety, mental health and public policy all rub against each other and impact the lives of Blacks in California’s capital city.

Even though Sacramento is fairly diverse and there are African Americans residing in different areas of the city, the majority of Blacks live in neighborhoods on the city’s south side.

“I’m Proud to have been a part of the early discussions about how we can share what’s going on in Sacramento – the challenges and successes we’ve had over the years – with our congressional leadership,” said Larry Lee, president and publisher of the Sacramento Observer, the capital city’s largest African-American newspaper. The 50-year-old publication is also the oldest Black newspaper in Sacramento.

The SBCC put on the event, says its president, Azizza Davis Goines, to effect change in the city’s most under-served communities.

“We know what we need. And we are discovering that we know how to convene the resources committed to working with us,” she said.

Lee, who is also the former board chair of the SBCC, joined other Sacramento leaders for the discussion, including Daniel Hahn, the city’s first African-American police chief who is a native and grew up in one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods. Hahn took over the police department in August 2017, only seven months before officers on his squad killed Clark.

“There’s a reason we sat them next to each other,” Lee said, half-joking but explaining that the SBCC deliberately put Clark and Hahn side-by-side on the panel. Their seating easily symbolized the steps Sacramento is taking to build trust and break down the barriers that exist between police officers and residents of the city, particularly in neighborhoods that are predominantly poor and minority.

William Jahmal Miller, director, Corporate Reputation and Thought Leadership at Blue Shield of California and Jamilia B. Land, a human rights activist and children’s mental health advocate, were the two other panelists.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, former mayor of Baltimore, moderated the panel discussion. She stressed the importance of leaders and investors finding out what people need instead of imposing solutions on them, even when they mean well.

“It frustrated me when I was in public office. It seemed the people with the resources to do a lot of things hadn’t had one conversation with the community,” she said. “They just had big ideas. I welcome investment in our communities, but I always encourage people to make it about the people you serve – and not about yourself.”

For Miller, creating sustainability in Sacramento’s communities of color requires a shift in thinking from managing problems “downstream” to preventing them “upstream.”

“Sustainable communities that are built to last are socially strong, economically strong, geographically strong, politically strong and engaged, and their amenities are conducive to healthy living,” he said. “Community trauma results in structural inequities such as violence, such as failing schools.”

In many ways, Sacramento is ahead of the nation when it comes to innovative policing that focuses less on force and punishment and more on intervention and building relationships with communities. Since Hahn took the helm of the police department, he has taken a number of steps when it comes to recruiting, training, policy and equipment to make his officers less biased and the department more accountable. The Sacramento police department has now increased the use of less lethal Bean Bag rounds and PepperBall launchers as well as Tasers and body cams for all officers.

Every cop in the city now has to take implicit bias training at UC Berkeley, and a program called “Walk in My Shoes” pairs officers with members of the community who spend time on duty with cops. There are also community service programs, neighborhood “Peace Walks” and other relationship-building and recruitment programs in the city’s African-American neighborhoods.

Clark, for instance, attended a class Hahn introduced called the Transformational Police Model. In it, police officers and community members sit in a room together, learn the course material and exchange perspectives.

Several companies in Sacramento have stepped up to support the prevention work Hahn and the SBCC is doing, including Blue Shield of California and SMUD, the city’s main power company. The community-owned, not-for-profit utility also sponsored the panel discussion.

“We are excited to be a partner of the Black chamber,” said Jose Bodipo-Memba, Director of Sustainable Communities at SMUD. “We don’t want one-time hits. We are trying to find ways communities can thrive overall. We’re focusing on social well-being, health and environment.”

In Sacramento County, where Sacramento is the largest city and county seat, the African-American population is about 14 percent (a little over 68,000 people). Blacks in the county have the highest unemployment rate of all races at 15.9 percent and a poverty rate of 26.5 percent, according to “The State of Blacks in California,” a report commissioned by California Black Media. Only 21 percent of African-American adults have bachelors degrees.

All the panelists praised the progress Sacramento is making but acknowledged that more work needs to be done.“As African Americans, we have to take responsibility for ourselves,” said Land, who stresses that, for her, racism is a mental health disease that impacts everyone and stacks up systemic odds against minorities. “While we, often times, want to challenge others to be transparent and to be accountable, we often times fall short of doing that ourselves.”