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Remembering Those We Lost and Planning Ahead

December 31, 2025

Dr. John E. Warren reflects on the annual tradition of publishing a memorial list of community members who died during the year, framing it not as a somber exercise but as motivation for the living to use their time wisely and purposefully. He urges readers to focus on collective action through voting and economic power, advocating for redirecting the four trillion dollars the community spends annually toward businesses that respect and support them.

Who is affected

  • Members of the San Diego community who died during the year
  • Readers of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper
  • The broader African American community referenced through cultural and economic concerns
  • Advertisers and the printer who support the newspaper
  • Dr. John E. Warren and the newspaper staff

What action is being taken

  • The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint is publishing an annual memorial list with photos of community members who died during the year.

Why it matters

  • This annual memorial serves multiple important functions: it helps community members understand why familiar faces have disappeared from daily life, reminds people of life's finite nature and encourages them to use their time meaningfully, and provides motivation for the living to engage in collective political and economic action. The broader message emphasizes the importance of community economic empowerment, strategic political engagement based on shared interests rather than party loyalty, and the need to support businesses and institutions that reciprocate respect and support for the community.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint