Featured
Video of New Jersey of High School Wrestler’s Dreadlocks Being Cut Goes Viral
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “No-loc bans are designed to oppress and shame Black people not just for expressing Blackness, but *for* their Blackness. They have no place in our society and certainly not in our schools. Until we can abolish these discriminatory practices and norms, we are all complicit,” a message from the New Jersey ACLU read.
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
In New Jersey, Andrew Johnson, an African American wrestler with dreadlocks was told he had to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit a wrestling match. Under pressure, the teenage wrestler stood resigned while a white female coach hurriedly cut his dreadlocks by ringside. The incident was captured on video by a journalist. Johnson went on to win his match.
Johnson’s teammates from Buena Regional High School can be seen on the video shouting their support and addressing him supportively before the match started.
“A referee wouldn’t allow Andrew Johnson of Buena @brhschiefs to wrestle with a cover over his dreadlocks. It was either an impromptu haircut, or a forfeit. Johnson chose the haircut, then won by sudden victory in OT to help spark Buena to a win,” tweeted journalist Mike Frankel on December 20. Frankel is the Sports Director for SNJ Today News in South Jersey.
“Disgusting and heartbreaking. A referee known for his racism, Alan Maloney (google him), made high school wrestler Andrew Johnson cut off his dreads or lose the match. They were covered and gave him no advantage. So, he cut them off. He won the match. Never should’ve been allowed,” tweeted Shaun King regarding the incident.
Reporting by Sports Illustrated identified the referee in the video as Alan Maloney. Maloney reportedly has a dubious history. It was reported in 2016 that Maloney was accused of calling another referee the N-word during a March, 2016 social gathering. The incident was reported in The Courier-Post Journal of South Jersey.
Johnson’s coaches argued with Maloney, the wrestling official before Johnson’s hair was cut. But Maloney forced Johnson and the team to choose between cutting off his dreadlocks or forfeiting the match. As Johnson’s coaches argued, Maloney started the injury clock and stopped listening to their appeals.
The level of heat seen on social media regarding the incident was palatable.
“Enough of these bastards. Ban him for life. Fire him from his job. Sue any goddamned racist idiots who defend him, into bankruptcy. Enough of this authorized return to 1938,” wrote noted sports commentator Keith Olbermann.
Comedian Drew Carey wrote, “I’m a fan of Greco-Roman wrestling, and this is total bulls****. Girls compete w boys. Anthony Robles won the NCAA’s with one leg. And this kid has to cut his dreads to compete? F**** bull****. Where was the coach? Or administrators? On either team?”
“No-loc bans are designed to oppress and shame Black people not just for expressing Blackness, but *for* their Blackness. They have no place in our society and certainly not in our schools. Until we can abolish these discriminatory practices and norms, we are all complicit,” a message from the New Jersey ACLU read.
On December 21, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association released a statement recommending “the referee” not officiate any matches until a review of the incident was undertaken. They did not name Maloney by name.
“Regulations regarding hair length and legal hair covers for wrestlers are provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations. At this point, the NJSIAA is working to determine the exact nature of the incident and whether an infraction occurred,” their statement read.
Many in the legal communicated indicated a lawsuit is likely.
Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst and strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at [email protected] and on twitter at @LVBurke
Bakersfield News Observer
Election Day Voting in Bakersfield
Bakersfield voters turned out in force on Election Day to cast ballots, register, and ensure their voices were heard. See how the community participated.
On Nov. 3, voters headed to the election division office in Bakersfield to cast their ballots. Some voted in person after not receiving a mail-in ballot, while others came in to complete ballots they hadn’t signed. Unregistered voters could also register and vote at the office. Staff helped voters throughout the day, and the polls remained open until 8 p.m. Every vote is a chance to make your voice heard.
Reporting: Cecil Egbele
#ElectionDay #Vote #Voting #Bakersfield #CivicEngagement
Featured
Sunnyside Capital Plan
Get the latest updates on the Sunnyside Capital Plan. Watch the full video to see how these developments are shaping our community’s future.
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What is the plan for success post-midterms?
Wondering what comes next? We break down the strategic path forward and key priorities for success following the midterm elections.
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Featured
Vietnam: A Black veteran’s ‘Soldiers Story’
Vietnam veteran Dr. Richard Watkins shares his harrowing journey of overcoming segregation and surviving combat in this powerful exclusive interview.
In an exclusive interview with The Defender, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dr. Richard Watkins shares his “Soldiers Story,” from fighting racism in Army flight training to surviving being shot down over Vietnam.
Speaking at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Texas, Dr. Watkins, who retired as an Army captain, reflects on the courage, danger and racism Black Americans faced in Vietnam, and on the cold reception many veterans got when they came home. He also shares his views on the state of the U.S. military today and offers advice to young people considering military service.
In this video, you’ll hear about:
• A childhood dream to fly when “there are no Negro pilots”
• Racism and segregation during Army helicopter pilot training
• Being shot down on Dec. 30, 1967, just before the Tet Offensive
• Waiting for rescue as enemy forces closed in
• Coming home from an unpopular war
• His concerns about the U.S. military today
Chapters
0:00 Inspiration to serve and fly
2:20 Racism during training
4:24 Shot down
8:44 Rescued
9:57 After Vietnam: welcome home
12:51 The state of the U.S. military
16:07 A message for those considering service
Know a veteran with a story that needs to be told? Thank them for their service and share their story with us in the comments.
Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive interviews, local news, and community coverage.
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#VietnamVeteran #BlackHistory #RichardWatkins #BlackVeterans #Houston #Texas #VeteransDay #TheDefender
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Bakersfield News Observer
News Observer Weekly — November 4, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
We honor the legacy of labor icon Dolores Huerta and break down the top five stories impacting California this week. Plus, vital tips for tracking your ballot.
As usual, Dolores got there first. That’s Barack Obama, on the woman who was saying Sí, se puede decades before he said Yes, we can. Dolores Huerta died a week ago today, at her home in Bakersfield. She was ninety-six.
This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
ONE THING THIS WEEK
Voted by mail? Make sure it counts. Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 count if they
arrive within seven days. Track yours at the California Secretary of State’s
website (sos.ca.gov). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.
PUBLISH A LEGAL NOTICE
Need to publish a fictitious business name, name change, probate or summons in
Kern or Los Angeles County? File online at https://legal.ognsc.com — upload your
paperwork, review the notice, see a flat price before you pay. Kern notices run
in the Bakersfield News Observer; L.A. County notices run in the Los Angeles News
Observer. Deadline: Friday 5 p.m. Pacific for the next week’s paper.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:55 Bakersfield: Dolores Huerta, Farmworker Champion, Dies at 96 in Bakersfield
2:54 Kern County: ‘Don’t Ghost Your Vote’: Young Kern County Residents Say Why Their Peers Skip the Polls
5:21 Long Beach: NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes With Call to Action: ‘We Will Not Be Deterred’
6:52 From the Observer: publish a legal notice
7:48 California: California Big-City Mayors Want at Least $1 Billion in State Funding to Fight Homelessness
10:21 Family Budget: ‘Raising a Child Shouldn’t Break the Bank’: California Is Helping Families Save on Childcare Costs
12:03 What to do this week
THE FULL STORIES
Dolores Huerta, Farmworker Champion, Dies at 96 in Bakersfield
Dolores Huerta, farmworker champion, dies at 96 in Bakersfield
2. ‘Don’t Ghost Your Vote’: Young Kern County Residents Say Why Their Peers Skip the Polls
3. NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes With Call to Action: ‘We Will Not Be Deterred’
NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes with Call to Action: ‘We Will Not Be Deterred’
4. California Big-City Mayors Want at Least $1 Billion in State Funding to Fight Homelessness
California Big-City Mayors Want At Least $1 Billion In State Funding to Fight Homelessness
5. ‘Raising a Child Shouldn’t Break the Bank’: California Is Helping Families Save on Childcare Costs
‘Raising a Child Shouldn’t Break the Bank’: California Is Helping Families Save on Childcare Costs
Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.
#BlackPress #Bakersfield #LosAngeles #SanFernandoValley #AntelopeValley #BlackNews
Featured
A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICAN POLITICS 📱
The 2026 midterms bring historic milestones, including the election of the nation’s first Black female governor and a sweeping shift in key state leadership.
The 2026 midterm elections delivered historic victories across the country, including a major milestone for Black political leadership.
For the first time in U.S. history, multiple elected Black governors will serve simultaneously. Keisha Lance Bottoms makes history in Georgia as the nation’s first Black woman governor, while Republican Byron Donalds wins in Florida and Democrat Wes Moore secures reelection in Maryland.
Plus, two FAMU Rattlers, Bottoms and Donalds, make history on opposite sides of the political aisle.
In Texas, Democrats score major victories as Gina Hinojosa defeats Gov. Greg Abbott and James Talarico wins the U.S. Senate race against Ken Paxton.
We’re also covering Ashley Moody’s Senate victory over Angie Nixon in Florida, major election developments in California and New York, and the record-breaking cost of the 2026 midterms.
Join us on BlackPressUSA’s Morning Show as we break down the winners, the upsets, and what comes next.
#BlackPressUSA #Election2026 #BlackGovernors #KeishaLanceBottoms #ByronDonalds #WesMoore #DavidCrowley #StaceyPlaskett #MidtermElections #BlackPoliticalPower
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A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICAN POLITICS 📱
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A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICAN POLITICS 📱
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