supreme court

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Apr 5 2012

Practical Politics

 As the drama surrounding the Supreme Court’s consideration of the legitimacy of the Affordable HealthCare and Patient Protection Act (Obamacare) continues to deepen and to attract widespread intellectual, legal and political attention, certain things are already clear. The healthcare industry does fall within the boundaries of the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, and Congress does have the authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Jun 9 2011

Panel speakers at Urban Issues Forum

In 1961 the Freedom Riders were young, unafraid and bold enough to believe they could make a difference and combat Jim Crow segregation and bigotry in the Deep South.

The four courageous California college students—Edward Johnson, Robert Farrell, and Helen and Robert Singleton—participated in the rides, seeking to improve the lives of their southern brothers and sisters while clearly endangering their own.

Apr 7 2011

Urges Supreme Court to uphold women’s rights

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) strongly supports the class-action lawsuit brought by female Wal-Mart employees. This case represents the largest such gender lawsuit in history and highlights Wal-Mart’s systemic discriminatory practices.

Feb 24 2011

Activist

Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Ala., 15-year-old Claudette Colvin had refused to yield her seat to a White passenger on March 2, 1955, and was arrested.

Parks’ similar act followed on December 1 of the same year.

Born Sept. 5, 1939, Colvin understood early what injustice was.

According to one report, she had been inspired by her ancestors who endured and fought the institution of slavery.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 6 2011

She’ll push being ‘smart on crime’

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Continuing to push her theme “getting smart on crime” Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 32nd California attorney general and simultaneously became the first woman, African American and South Asian American to serve in the post.

With nearly 20 years of courtroom experience as a prosecutor, Harris is a litigator who takes a hard line against violent crime, especially victimization of children, but also understands that getting tough on crime and filling up prisons is not the only answer.

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.