MLK

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 12 2012

Practical Politics

There are those who still say the creation of America’s 10 national holiday in 1983—i.e., the kind that means post offices, banks, schools, and libraries close and federal workers get the day off—was a reparations gift of White guilt for the long years of making Black Americans suffer.

Perhaps.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 12 2012

Between the Lines

This week is our annual King dance.

I call it the King dance because it’s the time of year when American society dances around the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to the evolution of American society.

It is really difficult to grapple with the compromising of the King legacy.

King was more than a day off work. King marched for social justice and economic equality. He didn’t march in parades. I never got the parade concept. What are we celebrating? The life of Martin Luther King Jr., you say.

Jan 12 2012

This is a partial listing of upcoming events that will commemorate the life of Dr. King. The government in a number of cities such as Palmdale, Lynwood, Compton and Carson will close down for the holiday. In Inglewood and Torrance, the libraries will close for the observance.

January 12
The Los Angeles Press Club will host a panel discussion on the subject: “What If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Had Tweeted the Civil Rights Movement?” Panelists include Former U.S. Congresswoman Diane Watson, former L.A. City Councilman and Freedom Rider Robert Farrell, SCLC-LA chairman and union organizer the Rev. William Smart Jr., pastor and community organizer the Rev. Dr. Lewis E. Logan II, journalist/bloggers Charlene Muhammad and Jasmyne Cannick.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 20 2011

Between the Lines

The monument to 20th-century social change leader—and some say 20th-century prophet—the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was finally dedicated this weekend on the National Mall.

Aug 4 2011

Dr. King nephew named interim successor

Rev. Dr. Howard W. Creecy, the new president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) who just last month outlined his vision to revive the historic civil rights organization, has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 57.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.