Rapidly shifting U.S. demographics are fueling the urgency of civil rights leaders, social scientists, policy makers, and public health professionals to focus their attention on policies designed to close the gap in racial and ethnic health disparities and ensure justice and equity in communities of color. In the interest of social justice, the good intent of policies developed and endorsed by dedicated public servants requires, however, a thorough and thoughtful consideration of the impact of unintended consequences of those policies in communities of color across the nation.
Category: Opinion-OW
Posted inOpinion-OW
PACE is giving homeowners access to clean energy and efficiency improvements
In the city of Lancaster, solar panels on roofs throughout the city will soon become commonplace due to changes in the city zoning code that mandates solar be a part of all new residential construction projects. In my real estate practice, I have been asked by many home owners how they can install affordable solar panels on their existing homes as well. I have recently discovered a financing program that, while may not be for everyone, does offer an innovative financing alternative for many homeowners looking to upgrade their homes with solar or other energy-efficient projects.
Posted inOpinion-OW
Ensuring the promise of the every student succeeds act
During the month of May, many of us celebrated the 63rd anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. The unanimous 1954 ruling by the United States Supreme Court declared that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Last week, the National Newspaper Publishers Association partnered with the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage for a special tribute to the first African American Supreme Court Justice. We also reflected on the significance of an improved national education law. The preservation of Thurgood Marshall’s legacy is dependent upon our dedication to our children.
Posted inOpinion-OW
Commentary: President Trump wages war on Obama’s legacy in first 100 days
There was the proposed massive budget cut to the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the incessant rhetoric about a rise in crime in the nation, that lacked evidence to back it up; the threats of a renewed war on drugs. There was even a failed attempt to bully Republican lawmakers into passing a flawed bill that sought to roll back the Affordable Care Act, a law that provides healthcare to millions of Americans.
Posted inOpinion-OW
What the Next 100 Days of the Trump Administration Should Look Like
A few days ago the Trump Administration passed the 100 day milestone, and I can’t help but think, “So what?” Yes, there are many symbolic interpretations to be taken from this time-honored tradition. But I challenge you: does it really matter? Is our republic so weak as to rely, so heavily on what a man can do in an arbitrary set of days? Our founders never envisioned this in the role of the Executive Branch. Their expectations for government more broadly were never so ambitious. They were going for progression, not perfection. And for that reason, I’m hopeful for our nation. So the better question the President, his allies and the Congress should be asking is: What does Day 101 look like?
Posted inOpinion-OW
Blackonomics
Remember the scene from “New Jack City” when Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) told Scotty (Ice-T), “This ain’t personal; this is business?”
Posted inOpinion-OW
Celebrate Prince by planning estate for your loved ones
I’m a Prince fan. Not one who only knows all his popular hits but one who owns nearly all of his albums. I actually am a generational fan because my father, a former DJ, was listening to Prince and attending his concerts before I was born (and surely while I was in utero).
Posted inOpinion-OW
IHOP manager: Black people don’t want to work
That’s what I was told by a manager at a South Los Angeles IHOP restaurant, after I inquired about the lack of African Americans working there during a recent visit.
It all started after I casually observed—while waiting on a friend to arrive—that there were no Black employees on the floor or in the kitchen working. That prompted me to ask my server if this IHOP—located in the heart of South Los Angeles—had any African American employees. I was told yes—two.
Posted inOpinion-OW
Is it true black people don’t want to work?
Black people don’t want to work.
That’s what I was told by a manager at a South Los Angeles IHOP restaurant after I inquired about the lack of African Americans working there during a recent visit.
It all started after I casually observed while waiting on friend to arrive that there were no Black employees on the floor or in the kitchen working. That prompted me to ask my server if this IHOP—located in the heart of South Los Angeles—had any African American employees. I was told yes—two.
Posted inOpinion-OW
Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch has not met the civil rights standard
Overall, we conclude that there is an inadequate record to determine if Judge Neil Gorsuch, has a commitment to protecting and safeguarding civil rights and, therefore, we do not believe he satisfies the second prong of our requirement for endorsement. Based upon our review of Judge Gorsuch’s record, we have concerns that he has a narrow view of rights that are protected by the Constitution, as well as a skeptical view about the importance of protecting those rights in the courtroom. In short, Judge Gorsuch’s record does not allow us to support his nomination for the Supreme Court at this time.” —Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights, Report on the Nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
