Pan African Public Policy and Ethical Institute

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jul 14 2011

Practical Politics

On August 28, 2011, a day chosen to celebrate the 48th anniversary of Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech on the Washington Mall, another major milestone will occur. For the first time in American history, a centerpiece construction of a permanent stone and bronze monument will be erected in the nation’s capital for an African American who was not a former American president.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jul 7 2011

Practical Politics

Imagine a well-dressed African American man and woman driving through Death Valley on the way to Vegas to party with some of their disposable income. They are chatty, enjoying each other’s company, and hurrying to get through the Mars-like landscape of the California desert. Abruptly, there is an awful moan from under the hood of their automobile, and the engine of their expensive foreign car simply quits, the car rolling to a stop on the side of the road.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jun 2 2011

Practical Politics

We’ve been invited to the table.

The African Union, the linear descendant of the Organization of African Unity, and the spiritual descendant of governmental leaders who were also Pan Africanists, has called us to the negotiation and discussion table to engage on the issue of Africa’s future. Historically, this is the first time we, the Diaspora as a whole, have been so honored.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
May 26 2011

Practical Politics

A short time ago, and again recently, the Planned Parenthood Association (aka, Planned Parenthood Federation) has been in the news as a “whipping boy” for Republican budgetary cuts at the national and even state levels. Among the other criticisms thrown at President Obama (‘naiveté’ concerning the intricacies of the Middle East Crisis—meaning appearing not to agree with the Israeli government position—plus the myriad of other barbs), this one too is more about ideology than fact.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
May 12 2011

Practical Politics

The Honorable African Union (AU) Ambassador to the United States, Amina Salum Ali, came to the Southland last week, to do her scholarly thing with the Milken Institute, and to see what the Los Angeles area Black community—the African descendants—were up to.

This was her second trip to the Southland, and her first with African American co-hosts, since being appointed in 2007.

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.