Archive (100)
Activists Must Turn the Spotlight
Dr. Barbara A. Reynolds When people want a Wyatt Earp to ride into town with guns blazing to defend the townspeople and a horde of Danny Doolittles show up there is sure to be dismay in Dodge City. Nevertheless when the smoke clears and the townsfolk finally realize if they organize a tough take- no prisoners- posse of their own, they can still win the war, then all hope is not lost.
The GOP and their nasty sidekicks, the Tea Party, succeeded in manufacturing a crisis over the federal debt ceiling because they have only one game plan: to destroy President Barack Obama and his base of working class and middle class Americans by any means necessary. If that means shutting down the government, pushing the nation into default, wrecking the economy, the means justify their end.
Dedrick Muhammad London's Calling, But Are We Listening?
Last year, on my second day on the job as the new Senior Director of Economic Programs for the NAACP, I went to London with our President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous to attend a conference on Global Youth Employment. Eight months later I, along with the rest of the world, am seeing images of economically disenfranchised youth throughout England rioting and rebelling.
The ignition for these rebellions appears to be the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, a young black man, by the police. Youth rioting and rebelling in economically disenfranchised areas in relation to possible racial discrimination and police brutality is something with which most Americans are all too familiar.
Marc MorialPass the Urban Jobs Act Now
"This program would give city organizations the tools and resources they need to help our youth prepare for future jobs, find employment opportunities, and reach their full potential."
New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand
Despite all the attention paid in recent months to spending cuts, there are some Members of Congress who agree with the National Urban League that the nation's number one priority must be job creation and putting America back to work. Months ago, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Representative Edolphus Towns introduced the Urban Jobs Act that would provide much-needed federal funding to non-profit organizations engaged in preparing at-risk youth, ages 18-24, for the world of work.
Ralph B. Everett, Esq. A Balanced Approach Will Lead to America's Prosperity
Despite what many of us may wish, the political argument over the federal budget and the future direction of our nation's fiscal policy has not been settled, but rather has merely wrapped up an initial phase with the agreement reached in Congress.
Still to be decided is how to reduce the nation's debt by another $1.5 trillion, which is a matter to be decided through a process involving a bi-partisan Congressional "Super Committee" this autumn. With a voluntary government default having been avoided, the next stage of debate will be played out under the threat of across-the-board program cuts being automatically deployed, if agreement cannot be reached.
On the block will be military and key domestic programs, raising the specter of deep budget cuts that many would find intolerable.
Gary R. FlowersConsciousness Over Cookouts
"Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I [we] forget...'may my right hand forget her cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!... to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme, would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world.'"
Frederick Douglas, July 4, 1852
As the United States of America celebrates another Independence Day (July 4), recognizing a principled stand by early American colonists against the tyranny of England's King George, we should learn from the words of Frederick Douglas, who in 1852 eloquently cited the hypocrisy of our nation to celebrate the liberty of independence amidst the institution of slavery.
While African Americans are free from the brutality of physical bondage, our minds, in the words of Douglas, seem to "...chime in with the popular theme..." of hot dogs, hamburgers, John Phillip Sousa, and fireworks.
In short, we need to place consciousness over cookouts.
Harry Alford
The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Betrayals
It was such a great program that helped establish a great American Middle Class. Homeownership was elusive to the masses until after World War II and through the concept of subdivisions, homeownership became part of the American Dream. The millions of veterans started enjoying the new GI Bill of Rights, including the VA home mortgage. Each and every veteran (with decent credit) can now get a mortgage through the Veteran Administration for one time during his/her life. I still have mine in reserve but probably will never use it as the dollar threshold for mortgage sizes is too small for my family right now. But, for a young vet or one returning from a battle zone it is very attractive.
Askia MuhammaIBibi and Barry
The recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu to Washington and his White House visit with President Barack “Barry” Obama made for an interesting mating ritual, if you will.
The “special relationship” between the U.S. and Israel was reaffirmed, but not before some icy stares and sharp words were exchanged between the two leaders.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Forty years ago this month, President Richard Milhous Nixon declared America’s “War on Drugs.” This failed war continues even today to have a devastating and debilitating impact on the lives of millions of Americans with the most devastating impact on Black Americans and Latino Americans. We should add our voices to the growing number of people of good conscience to demand a resolute end to this awfully destructive and nonproductive war.
The State of America's Children
Marian Wright Edelman The Children's Defense Fund has just released a new report, The State of America's Children® 2011, which paints a disturbing portrait of child needs across our country. With rampant unemployment, housing foreclosures, homelessness, hunger, and massive looming federal and state budget cuts, children's well-being is in great jeopardy. One in five children is poor and children are our nation's poorest age group. Child poverty increased almost 10 percent between 2008 and 2009, the largest single year increase since data were first collected. Fifteen and a half million children are adrift in a sea of poverty, and every 32 seconds another child is born poor. As our country struggles to climb out of the recession millions of our children are falling further behind.
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