black

Aug 26 2010

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

California
Following last month’s revelation that African Americans are more than four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses than Whites in Los Angeles County, the National Black Police Officers’ Association announced that it is endorsing Proposition 19 which would legalize marijuana possession in California for those 21 and over. “When I was a cop in Baltimore, and even before that when I was growing up there, I saw with my own eyes the devastating impact these misguided marijuana laws have on our communities and neighborhoods,” said Neill Franklin, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. “It’s not just in Baltimore, or in Los Angeles, prohibition takes a toll on people of color across the country.”

National
Wyclef Jean, the Hip Hop artist who has been shaking things up since he announced his bid to run for president of his poverty stricken home country, Haiti, recently got the news that he will not be able to run because he did not meet the residency requirements of living in the country five consecutive years before running. Jean was initially optimistic about his chances, feeling that being named a roving ambassador by current president Rene Preval would make him eligible to run. The Haiti electoral council felt differently.

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

California

Aug 26 2010

Tips African Americans need to follow

LOS ANGELES COUNTY—High temperatures have returned to the Los Angeles basin, San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita Valleys, as well as Pomona and Lancaster, and Los Angeles County Health Officer and Public Health Director, Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., advises that people—especially those sensitive to the heat—take care.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Aug 26 2010

Fundraising campaign features T-shirt sales, membership drive

The Center: South L.A. is a proposed center for the arts in Los Angeles that will offer a variety of creative classes in traditional and non-traditional dance, theater, drawing, painting, music, and arts and crafts, and will strive to make art accessible to everyone while simultaneously inspiring and educating young people in the community.

“Currently South L.A. is lacking in access to the arts… Compared to other areas in the city there is a lack of community-focused businesses and destination areas, especially along Western Avenue.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Aug 26 2010

An archaeologist shares the findings

Last week, Our Weekly spoke to a few theologians about the story of Jesus, explaining away some questions that have possibly run through the minds of curious believers and non-believers.

Joseph Wright  |   OW Senior Staff Writer
Aug 26 2010

Compton product is local success story

Angela Reddock, managing partner of the law firm Reddock, Wells & Griggs was recently honored as one of the Daily Journal’s “Top Labor and Employment Lawyers for 2010.”

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.