Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.
OW Contributing Columnist

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D., is a national columnist, managing director of the Urban Issues Forum (www.urbanissuesforum.com) and author of the upcoming book, REAL EYEZ: Race, Reality and Politics in 21 Century Popular Culture. He can be reached at www.AnthonySamad.com

Feb 11 2010

Nothing but a (tea) party: Lessons in obstructionist politics

The frustrated fringe elements of the Republican and Independent voter electorate gathered in Nashville, Tennessee this past weekend to vent about the first year of the Obama administration. They named the convention the “Tea Party,” a spin on the Boston Tea Party of 1767, where the British American colonists rioted over the stamp tax put on them without having a say about it (Taxation without representation). They rioted by throwing tea in the Boston harbor, and raised tensions with the monarchy that ultimately lead to a revolution that gave birth to a new nation.

Jul 31 2009

Black is back in America (If you don’t need a job or run into the police)

The Presidencial aspiration of Barack Obama has caused a renewed discussion on race in America. The prospect of a black President has cast America in a different light throughout the world (as demonstrated by Obama’s highly successful trip to the Middle East and Europe last week). But here, at home, America wrestles with the notion of the first black President in the history of the United States.

Jul 24 2009

Political satire cuts deeper for blacks in America

It’s interesting that, for sometime, there was this expectation that “something” would come out that would cause a major controversy and cause Americans (particularly white Americans) to re-think their support (or justify their lack of support) for Barack Obama. Well, the first “something” dropped from the most likely of sources last week.

Jul 10 2009

What is patriotism really about?

The Fourth of July is a date that historically brings about much confliction in the African American community. Because as Langston Hughes once said, “We too are America.” We sing America; we work America and we love America-even when America hasn’t always loved us.

Jul 10 2009

What is patriotism really about?

The Fourth of July is a date that historically brings about much confliction in the African American community. Because as Langston Hughes once said, “We too are America.” We sing America; we work America and we love America-even when America hasn’t always loved us.

Jun 26 2009

Why Barack took the money (and I’m glad he did)

Much ado (about nothing) has been made about Barack Obama becoming the first Presidential candidate to reject public financing of Presidential elections (and the $84.1 million spending limit that comes with it) since it started in 1976. Mainly that Obama reversed himself on his position as a supporter of campaign spending limits and a previous stated commitment to take the public financing. This was a no-brainer as far as Barack was concerned.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.