As I write this column, I have no idea whether Congress finally evaded the government shutdown that would happen on Oct. 1. (It did not).
Category: Opinion
What’s up with African American literacy rates?
In the world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other quick strike information processes, why is there a definite lack of evidence of a steady upward progression of reading and writing skills among African American contributors?
Cuts in SNAP: no food for the hungry
Steven and Laurie, a White married couple who live near Richmond, Va., work at a big box store. She as a cashier; he in the storeroom.
The politics of a consumer-friendly eminent domain
Even though, according to a recent evaluation report by Barclays Bank, the California Homeowner Bill of Rights—which became official on Jan. 1, 2013—is having a definite impact on slowing bank foreclosures in the state, some municipalities still end up with far too many blighted areas within their borders, as underwater homes get seized by banks or simply abandoned by distraught homeowners unable to make their mortgage payments.
What does limited action mean?
President Barack Obama stepped on a big limb when he threatened “limited action” against Syria because the country allegedly used chemical weapons against their own people.
The politics of paying for the N-word
In Lee Daniels’ new movie, “The Butler,” the first part of the story gives one of the most compelling arguments in any modern media for African Americans to cease and desist from calling each other the N-word.
Whither Arthur Ashe?
This week during the 2013 version of the U.S. Open Tennis tournament, James Blake, a perennial top player since 1999, is retiring from the sport.
After the March on Washington
The 1963 March on Washington was a pivotal moment for African Americans, a day when people joined to fight for jobs, peace and justice. More than 250,000 people traveled to Washington, coming by busses, trains, and occasionally planes.
Trayvon Martin case may not have the legal legs to stand on
Emotions still are running very high regarding George Zimmerman’s acquittal for killing Trayvon Martin. While frequently the federal government has stepped in when a state court has freed suspects in cases that seemed to be hate-crime-based, much more often, it has decided not to do so, and all of the emotions and sense of injustice connected to the situation have not done any good.
Russell Simmons, Harriet Tubman and the history of myopia
Every time I hear the voice of Russell Simmons, I hear a cool, clean, clear meditative voice, especially on Twitter where he drops his yoga knowledge in a reflective way. I guess he wasn’t folding his legs and saying a centered “Om” when he decided to ridicule an African woman.

