Last week the state assembly passed SB 1010, a bill that has been touted as having the power to eliminate what many call “California’s racist drug laws.” The bill eliminates disparities in punishment for possession of cocaine—both in crack and powder form for sale. Differences in sentencing have resulted in racial discrimination. SB 1010 makes the sentences for possession of crack cocaine for sale the same as sentencing for sale of powder cocaine. In the past, the sentencing structure for crack cocaine has been more severe than powder. According to studies, police have targeted their “war on drugs” on low-income neighborhoods and minority communities, despite widespread use in other urban areas.
Author Archives: Carol Ozemhoya, OW Contributor
Posted inAcross Black America
African American news for the week of August 14, 2014.
The IRS has hit Atlanta resident Jasmine Guy, best known for her portrayal of Whitley on “A Different World,” with a big fine. Guy reportedly owes more than $27,000 for failing to pay taxes in 2008 and 2012. In 2009, the former TV star and Broadway actress declared bankruptcy, claiming that her ex-husband, Terrence Duckett, left her an excessive amount of debt after their 11-year marriage ended in divorce.
Posted inFeature
The importance of voting
American history is full of battles and waged wars over the rights of individuals and even people of certain gender and ethnicities. The Black vote was (and still is) hard fought for, and there was a time in our not so distant past where women were not allowed to vote either.
Posted inCovers
Women Helping Women
March is Women’s History Month, and although most people are certainly aware of amazing women leaders such as First Lady Michelle Obama and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, there are also women right in our local communities that have made it their lives’ work to improve the lives of others, especially other women.
Posted inCovers
Are White artists taking over Black music again?
The American Music Awards, which airs Nov. 24, usually serves as a preview to the Grammys. This year, only two of the three nominations for Favorite Male R&B are White (Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake); the third is Miguel. And one out of three of the nods for Favorite Male Rap/Hip Hop is White (Macklemore & Lewis). The duo of Macklemore & Lewis is also nominated for Favorite Album (Rap/Hip Hop) against Jay Z and Kendrick Lamar.
Posted inCovers
It’s not always Black or White
Some of the most powerful relationships in politics and entertainment have paired Blacks and Whites together. These elite couplings have proven that race shouldn’t matter when it comes to sincere friendship, blazing new trails and making historical and monumental decisions.
Posted inCovers
Explicit Lyrics: freedom of speech or a dangerous precedent?
Today’s modern music is often laced with material that was not so long ago considered taboo. Profanity, sexual content and racial slurs have become widely accepted.
