February is Black History Month. This is a recognition that has been around since 1926, when it was created as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson.
Author Archives: Manny Otiko
Posted inFeature
Issues concerning African Americans draw little interest from presidential hopefuls
With the results of the Iowa caucuses now history —the winner on the Republican side was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz while Hilary Clinton narrowly edged out Bernie Sanders for the Democrats—the attention of presidential candidates is now trained on the New Hampshire primary and then shortly afterward South Carolina,
Posted inFeature
Muslims say current hostile climate is worse than post-9/11 bias
These are reportedly scary times for Southern California Muslims. Several of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have made insulting and inflammatory remarks about Muslims. In addition, mosques have been targeted for vandalism.
Posted inFeature
Trump confused by rise of ‘gaffe-prone,’ ‘super low-energy’ Ben Carson
Going into Wednesday’s Republican debate, Donald Trump had been usurped by retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson. Inspite of a string of highly-publicized gaffes, including saying he wouldn’t vote for a Muslim running for president and comparing abortion to slavery, Carson was still riding high in Iowa polls.
Posted inCovers
Fresh face
Barack Obama is not going to be on the ballot in 2016, but there is a Black presidential candidate. His name is Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, who was thrust into the national spotlight after he gave a speech criticizing tax policy at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2013.
Posted inNews, News-OW
Trump disappoints in crowded GOP debate
People tuning into the much-anticipated GOP presidential debate last week were not disappointed. The lively FOX News debate featured 17 candidates and had to be split into two events, one for the top-rated candidates in the evening, and another for second-tier candidates earlier in the day.
Posted inLocal Politics
Group wants more Blacks involved in $1.7 billion water-saving effort
As California faces its worst drought in recorded history, Gov. Jerry Brown, by executive order on April 1, allocated $1.7 billion in new funding for water conservation. That money is part of a $7.4 billion fund dedicated to solving the state’s water shortage over a 20-year period.
Posted inNews, News-OW
USC partners with community group to help Black men succeed in college
The University of Southern California is working with a local community group to help young Black men succeed in college.
Posted inSports
NFL player suing BofA for $20M losses
Dwight Freeney was living the American dream. He starred as a football player in high school, college and was drafted to play with the Indianapolis Colts. He later played for the San Diego Chargers and is now a free agent. Along the way, Freeney scored several multi-million dollar contracts.
Posted inFeature
Afrika Fifty6 plans benefit projects across continent
Many African Americans take living in a developed country for granted. They don’t realize a decent education, school books and new clothes are seen as luxuries in some of the more deprived parts of the world, including Africa. Cedric Idudu and Sam Desalu, two Nigerian natives currently living in Southern California, are both aware of some of the problems facing Africa. They launched Afrika Fifty6, a nonprofit with a goal of organizing benefit projects in all 56 African countries.
