African American Politics

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 18 2012

Counting the cost

Our Constitution offers us “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” but we can’t pursue anything if we are unhealthy.

Yet, health disparities in the United States are a fact of life. African American people have shorter lives than Whites for three reasons. One has to do with income and poverty. Poor people (and 27 percent of African Americans are poor, compared to about 10 percent of Whites) have less money and less access, often having to make a choice between medical treatment and food to eat, prescription drugs and rent.

Oct 18 2012

OW recommendation: No

With campaign spending at record highs for the presidential election and many congressional districts in 2012, California’s Proposition 32 appears to be a move to reform state elections. But it seems to fall short of sentiments expressed by much of the voting public this year to stop what many believe to be wasteful and/or devious spending in efforts to buy legislation favorable to a particular cause, candidate, or corporate interest.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 11 2012

Practical Politics

During this 21st century, particularly during this Decade of the African Diaspora, and this 2012 election year for the USA president and vice president, there are still those who do, and those who keep saying what they’re going to do; those who bring it and deserve to be praised, and those who just want to be praised yet bring nothing beyond hot air. We know that it takes all kinds, but the real evaluation is whether anything positive actually gets done and how sustainable it is.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 11 2012

Counting the Cost

Somehow, the body snatchers came last Wednesday and took the fire (as in fired up, ready to go) out of President Barack Obama, leaving a rather listless shell of a man who never truly engaged the audience.

He looked down at his notes, fidgeted, and let his opponent, Mitt Romney, get away with multiple lies.

Harry C. Alford  |   OW Guest Contributor
Oct 11 2012

Beyond the Rhetoric

All research, educated conclusions, anthropological findings and biblical writings cite the continent of Africa as the beginning of mankind. It is the venue of mathematics, construction management, architecture, medicine, and most importantly, civilization. No continent has gone through so much exploitation, invasion, colonialization, slavery, dictatorships and pilferage of natural resources as Africa.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.