James Brown

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Sep 22 2011

Hollywood by Choice

I loved James Brown, when he passed away Dec. 25, 2006, my heart sank because I truly appreciated and enjoyed his body of work. We lost a great man, and I don’t think we truly understand how important his contribution is to the American consciousness, especially for those who dared to live out their dreams regardless of their backgrounds.

Sep 1 2011

Codes and codas of a renewed mind

Going back to school can be the same old tedious ritual—shopping for school clothes, binders, protractors and the freshest kicks on the block. We spend endless hours in Wal-Mart and Staples making sure that our kids have every material needed to navigate the first day of school.

Education has historically represented a rite of passage for many American children.

For young Black kids, however, it’s a matter of survival.

Gregg Reese  |   OW Staff Writer
Jun 9 2011

CAAM celebrates its 75th anniversary

For those of who think Harlem’s Apollo Theater is the syndicated television show of the same name, the California African American Museum’s (CAAM) ongoing exhibition, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” should be an eye-opener.

May 26 2011

Master classes from the Prince of performers

Every few years or so an artist emerges in the tradition of musicians who have revolutionized the sound and style of the world. Each generation has laid claim to its own iconic artist, from Ray Charles and Dionne Warwick to James Brown and Diana Ross.

The 1980s and early 1990s provided us with five artists who reshaped the music world and introduced a level of superstardom that has yet to be matched.

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.