Julianne Malveaux

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Feb 7 2013

Counting the Cost

There is lots of buzz about our nation’s “economic recovery” in these first weeks of 2013. The stock market has been rising, some would say even soaring. We postponed the fiscal cliff crisis, albeit only for a few weeks—March is the new deadline.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 31 2013

Counting the Cost

President Barack Obama has the opportunity, in this second term, to put his feet on history. He won an election that his opponent had essentially claimed; he has been firm about that which he would negotiate on, and he has offered a progressive inauguration speech that offers up a liberal agenda, embracing Social Security and Medicare, uplifting immigrants and gay rights, and embracing ways to address inequality.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 24 2013

Counting the Cost

Who is surprised that Lance Armstrong was doping? Who thinks he was the only one? Who is surprised that he used the Oprah Winfrey show as his platform to “come clean”? We are a nation of cheaters and Armstrong is one in a long line of our nation’s cheaters.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 17 2013

Counting the Cost

One hundred and fifty years ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

It was a flawed document that freed enslaved people in Confederate areas that he did not control. At the same time, it was a progressive document because it initiated discussion about the “freedom” 13th, 14th and 15th amendments.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 10 2013

Counting the Cost

Congressman John Boehner was re-elected speaker of the House of Representatives with a narrow vote.

Needing 218 votes, he clinched it with 220. His narrow win reflects the fact that no Democrat would vote for him, and that many Republicans are disillusioned with him. Perhaps it also reflects the fact that he has so poorly comported himself that he did not deserve reelection.

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.”