samad

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Mar 10 2011

Between the Lines

Election night in the 8th District served as an opportunity to send a message to a politician who has lost his respect for constituents and of his constituents—at least half of them.

Regardless of what post election-day after spin is put on it, the 8th District ended up being the race nobody thought it would be, and everybody hoped for. From the opening count, when Bernard had 54 percent of the absentee ballot votes and only a 650-vote advantage, it was clear it was going to be a long night, and that was the highest vote percent he had all evening.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Mar 3 2011

Next Tuesday is election day: time to say “farewell” Parks

For the last month, I’ve been writing about the same subject. Contrary to what some are saying, I have done it before-just not very often. I’ve only done this four times (write five straight commentaries on the same subject) in the 20 years I’ve been writing this weekly commentary. But I’ve done it. 

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Feb 10 2011

Between the Lines

The whole issue of the poor representation for the poorest council district in Los Angeles was never more in evidence than when you look at the disparities between the quality of life of the people and their city council representation—in particular the pay inequity between Bernard Parks, his son (Junior), and the people who live in the 8th District.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Feb 3 2011

Between the Lines

President Barack Obama’s second State of the Union address last week offered us a glowing reminder of why we elected him the 44th President of these dis-United States. In a remarkable display of reason, logic, results and, yes, hope, all wrapped up into one, President Obama disarmed a cynical Congress even with its new hostile majority in the House.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 27 2011

Between The Lines

Last week, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles’ major alternative newspaper (meaning alternative to the mainstream propaganda press, the Los Angeles Times), wrote an article handicapping the upcoming city council races. When it came to council District 8, the Weekly asked a very critical question, “Is Bernard Parks in Trouble?” (see http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/01/bernard_parks_hogan-rowles.php).

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.