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

Dec 16 2010

Between the Lines

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa showed up in Compton of all places to speak on what we in South Los Angeles have known for the past two years, that teacher’s unions (CTA, UTLA, etc.) have been the biggest hurdles to reforming public schools. The mayor highlighted the unions’ attempt to nullify a parent vote to convert a failing public school to an independent charter school. Villaraigosa said the unions are “one unwavering roadblock to reform.”

Dec 9 2010

Between the Lines

The biggest leak of confidential U.S. government papers is being debated in the public, and some are calling it a betrayal of the country’s security position, as backroom conversations show questionable practices of our government.

The Wiki-Leaks controversy has raised the question of whether government security is bigger than freedom of the press, or whether freedom of the press is bigger than government security?

Dec 2 2010

Between the Lines

The upset for the California state attorney general’s office is a fait accompli as San Francisco district attorney, Kamala Harris, claimed victory over the purported favorite, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, last week in one of the closest statewide elections in California history.

Nov 25 2010

Between the Lines

The recent trip President Obama took to Asia to bring business and trade to the United States has exposed a critique that many have observed for some time—allowing false and petty criticisms to go unchecked.

Obama’s opponents are not just criticizing him. They’re attempting to trivialize his presidency, and that’s upsetting. They don’t care where and how they do it; they give him as little respect (and credit) as they can.

Nov 18 2010

Between the Lines

The Monday night football game this week was a lesson in life and redemption. I only saw the first half, but that was enough. I got so excited about the performance of Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback, Michael Vick, that I shelved my intended column topic for this week and started over.

Nov 11 2010

Between the Lines

The election night results brought forth a much expected outcome, a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives and some “slippage” in Democrat seats held in the Senate. The reasons were several for the outcome, but it is not the end of the world. The Democrats (and everybody else) need to stop their snivelin’.

Wipe your nose and move on with the outcome. What happened is a combination of historical politics, race realities, fear-mongering and voter suppression.

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.