David L Horne

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jun 23 2011

Practical Politics

On Monday morning’s FrontPage discussion on Stevie Wonder’s KJLH radio station, I mentioned to Dominique Diprima that Congressional approval of American military action against Libya under the 1973 War Powers Act, would not automatically mean that Congress had declared war against Libya.

In fact, Congress could approve military operations along a continuum from a limited and time-sensitive engagement all the way to a full-scale declaration of war.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jun 9 2011

Practical Politics

A few weeks ago (May 15, 2011), a regularly controversial blogger who got paid for his writing, published in Psychology Today a piece on why Black women are uglier and less sexually attractive (except for exotic, freaky prostitution purposes) than any other ethnicity (his exact comparisons were with White, Asian and Native American women).

The article was yet another pseudo-scientific polemic which insulted a group thought to be incapable of doing much more than harping a few vulgar replies before slipping back into the shadows. Hmmm.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jun 2 2011

Practical Politics

We’ve been invited to the table.

The African Union, the linear descendant of the Organization of African Unity, and the spiritual descendant of governmental leaders who were also Pan Africanists, has called us to the negotiation and discussion table to engage on the issue of Africa’s future. Historically, this is the first time we, the Diaspora as a whole, have been so honored.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
May 26 2011

Practical Politics

A short time ago, and again recently, the Planned Parenthood Association (aka, Planned Parenthood Federation) has been in the news as a “whipping boy” for Republican budgetary cuts at the national and even state levels. Among the other criticisms thrown at President Obama (‘naiveté’ concerning the intricacies of the Middle East Crisis—meaning appearing not to agree with the Israeli government position—plus the myriad of other barbs), this one too is more about ideology than fact.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
May 19 2011

Practical Politics

Interestingly, a controversy and confusion stills reigns within the Black community (and within other progressive circles) over the annual celebration of African Liberation Day and its connection to more than just the anti-apartheid struggle and other forms of militant protest. I wrote an article during May 2010, that is repeated below in a slightly updated version to clarify the situation. Since that confusion still exists among too many of us, the article bears republishing.

Across Black America

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

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”