Anthony Asadullah Samad

Feb 11 2011

The all-star edition

The Urban Issues Forum is presenting s special “all-star week” forum to discuss the strategy for educational success in African American youth. James Shelton III, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement with the U.S. Department of Education, former NBA star Jalen Rose, and LAUSD Superintendent (in waiting) John Deasy, will join join successful public school operators and advocates to discuss how to fast-track educational success in the Los Angeles Black community.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Feb 10 2011

Between the Lines

The whole issue of the poor representation for the poorest council district in Los Angeles was never more in evidence than when you look at the disparities between the quality of life of the people and their city council representation—in particular the pay inequity between Bernard Parks, his son (Junior), and the people who live in the 8th District.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 27 2011

Between The Lines

Last week, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles’ major alternative newspaper (meaning alternative to the mainstream propaganda press, the Los Angeles Times), wrote an article handicapping the upcoming city council races. When it came to council District 8, the Weekly asked a very critical question, “Is Bernard Parks in Trouble?” (see http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/01/bernard_parks_hogan-rowles.php).

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 13 2011

Between the Lines

The chilling silence taking place around the mass shooting tragedy that occurred at an Arizona Congresswoman’s constituent town hall rally in Tucson is extremely disturbing.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 6 2011

Between the Lines

The Republican Party is about to return from a two-year banishment to political Siberia, back into the mainstream as it seats its House majority for the 112th Congress.

While change has occurred in the past two years (no matter what the rhetoricians say), and it has ben some of the most progressive change in recent congressional history, mind you; the Republicans spent most of their time trying to find the tail they lost in the 2008 presidential elections.

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.