practical politics

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 13 2011

Practical Politics

Ahhh, Los Angeles. The city that does eventually sleep, although fitfully and always jumpy to start back up again and get back into it—another balmy day to play.

One thing about L.A. is that there is always a wide diversity of things to do and get into, good or bad. October is one of those exhausting, breathless months when everyday there just seems to be so much stuff going on, too much for one tired body and soul.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Oct 6 2011

Practical Politics

In 2010, State Senator Curren Price (D-26) authored a joint Senate Resolution to declare October as California’s Pan African Business and Trade Month. It was a great idea that got chewed up in the nasty state budget battles last year. Unofficially, however, we, the people, still see it that way—October is about the African Diaspora in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other parts of the state.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 29 2011

Practical Politics

Within most cultures, there are repeated patterns of behavior and character types that help to perpetuate those cultures. So it is with Black culture, which is at once a living crucible of the Black experience, in all of its finery, genius and foolishness. There is both exquisite beauty and profound ugliness in being Black in America and elsewhere, and that has been the case since our American origins.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 22 2011

Practical Politics

While Hollywood has recently been celebrating the Emmys, and speculating about Oscar nominations, the 41st annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s coordinating and hosting of the gathering of the nation’s Black elected officials is back on display in Washington, D.C., Sept. 21-24. This year’s event, in a bow to the new austerity sentiments, is a bit shorter by two days than previous CBC get togethers.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 15 2011

Practical Politics

In yet another slap of facts to the face of those quick to whine and complain, but too laid-back to do much research, the latest reports from the Federal Courts Register have articulated a rarely known but easily found bit of information: President Barack Obama, in two years, has nominated and gotten approved a higher percentage of non-White federal judges than any previous president of the United States.

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.