United States

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Nov 25 2010

Between the Lines

The recent trip President Obama took to Asia to bring business and trade to the United States has exposed a critique that many have observed for some time—allowing false and petty criticisms to go unchecked.

Obama’s opponents are not just criticizing him. They’re attempting to trivialize his presidency, and that’s upsetting. They don’t care where and how they do it; they give him as little respect (and credit) as they can.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Nov 25 2010

A history lesson transformed into a day of fun

In 1866, two U.S. Army African American regiments were formed called the 9th and 10th cavalries. Members of these two cavalry units as well as two all-Black infantry regiments, the 24th and 25th, came to be called Buffalo Soldiers.

By 1867, the first Buffalo Soldier units were sent to the West to fight Indians and protect settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews. They distinguished themselves, so much that they won the respect of their enemies they were fighting—the Native Americans.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Nov 25 2010

Holistic treatment

World AIDS Day is Dec. 1, and on that Wednesday, organizations, HIV/AIDS research supporters, and activists will rally in the name of safe sex and virus awareness. HIV/AIDS is epidemic among Blacks globally and has taken on a monstrous face that is killing us at an alarming rate.

In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control noted that 18,328 African Americans were diagnosed with AIDS adding to the more than 400,000 diagnosis since the discovery of the syndrome.

California was the leading region in the U.S. in 2008 with the most AIDS diagnosis.

Nov 23 2010

Global climate change

PASADENA, Calif.—Water temperature in major lakes around the world have been steadily increasing over the past 25 years as a result of global climate change, according to a study released today by researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

According to the study, the Earth's major lakes have warmed by an average of 0.81 degrees per decade, with some warming as much as 1.8 degrees.

Although the warming trend is global, the greatest increases are in the mid-to high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the study found.

Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Nov 18 2010

Between the Lines

The Monday night football game this week was a lesson in life and redemption. I only saw the first half, but that was enough. I got so excited about the performance of Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback, Michael Vick, that I shelved my intended column topic for this week and started over.

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.”