Ron Artest

Feb 1 2013

Here’s a look at individuals and issues making headlines across the country.

California

Dec 29 2011

Laker believes new name brings inspiration

NBA superstar and Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest officially changed his name to Metta World Peace.

The guard made the request in June, but his wish was delayed until he took care of a few pesky traffic tickets.

The change came as a big surprise; much of the public was a bit taken aback questioning his sanity.

But Artest, who has admitted in the past he visits a psychologist just to keep it together, has contemplated the change for years.

Sep 16 2011

Judge grants request for name change

As of today Ron Artest, NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers forward, will now be known as Metta World Peace, a name he officially requested in June but was only granted permission to change officially today after approval from the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
 
After dealing with a with a couple of traffic tickets, a judge ruled that Artest could have his name changed.  This comes just in time for the new season of  ”Dancing with the Stars,” where he will compete alongside Peta Murgatroyd.

Jul 13 2011

Let the games begin

Los Angeles Lakers small forward Ron Artest, left, and several admirers and advocates for the Los Angeles Watts Summer Games joined Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, center, and the board of supervisors in honoring Artest with a special presentation at Tuesday’s board meeting in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. Artest was recognized for his promotion of mental health awareness and encouraging youth to seek mental health services by spreading his message of wellness and recovery.

Apr 20 2011

Promoting acceptance

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—Kobe Bryant and four of his Los Angeles Laker teammates called for understanding, compassion and acceptance in a public service announcement released today.

The release of the public service announcement comes six days after Bryant was fined $100,000 by the NBA for using an obscene antigay slur aimed at a referee during a game last Tuesday.

The Lakers and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced on Friday they would work together to eliminate antigay slurs.

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.