California Republicans

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Jul 12 2012

Convention-goers seem open to many points

Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney spoke to a generally warm and welcoming crowd at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) convention in Houston Wednesday, thanking them for their hospitality and assuring them that as president it would be returned.

“This is an honor to address you, one I had not expected and one I value very highly,” Romney said, adding that he appreciated the chance to speak a day before Vice President Joe Biden would address the organization.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jun 7 2012

Outreach seen as must

California Republicans Tuesday overwhelmingly voted for Gov. Mitt Romney as their choice for the party’s presidential nominee. More than 1.1 million (or 79.6 percent) of votes cast went to the politician from Massachusetts. Ron Paul came in a distant second, winning only 10.2 percent of ballots.

Bear Flag state Republicans followed the actions of four high-profile Black Republicans, including former presidential candidate Herman Cain, who have also endorsed the former Massachusetts govenor for president.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Nov 18 2010

Practical Politics

There are clearly more important immediate things for the California Black community to worry about—the level of involvement of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department in the kidnap, murder and possible rape of Mitrice Richardson; electing Danny Tabor and finally ending the seemingly endless mayoral election process in Inglewood; and getting the votes finally counted between Harris and Cooley, for example.

Nevertheless, as evolving political analysts, it is important for us to keep up with the whole process, from federal to water district level.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Nov 11 2010

Practical Politics

Although some of us may still be smarting that our Age of Aquarius proposal did not get approved (Prop. 19) this time, there were two really important political issues decided on last Tuesday’s ballot that will have major impacts on the future of Black political participation in California.

 So the small number of California Black farmers (300 out of 94, 000) will not see any significant increase because of a newly legalized and profitable crop in 2010.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
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.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”