president barack obama

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Dec 2 2010

Practical Politics

Taking Black people off the land—when they have been able to buy and occupy it—whether by starving Black owners of funds, seeds and farm equipment; by outright KKK-type murder and intimidation, or through other nefarious means, has been as regular in America as night following day.

This has especially been the case in the agricultural sector, where making a living was never easy even for the hardworking and resilient.

Dec 1 2010

"I urge every Angeleno to get educated and get tested."

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Officials and activists are encouraging the public to be tested for the virus that causes AIDS, increase their awareness of the disease and contact the White House and Congress in connection with today's World AIDS Day.

The Los Angeles city government will hold its commemoration of World AIDS Day at the JW Marriott at LA Live, with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa among the scheduled speakers.

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

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.

Datwa M. Morales  |   OW Guest Contributor
Nov 11 2010

Pictures remains grim for Blacks

The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6 percent for the month of October, according to a report released last week by the United States Department of Labor. California ranks third highest in the country, behind Nevada and Michigan, with a 12.4 percent unemployment rate. Nationally, 14.8 million Americans are out of work, with 6.2 million job seekers reporting they have been jobless for 27 weeks or more.

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.