As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26, marking the day women received the right to vote in 1920, we need to be aware of a move now affront to disenfranchise women. Voter ID laws enacted now in over half the states, requiring voters to present some form of identification as a requirement to vote will place unreasonable burdens on many women who may well be unaware of the difficulty they could face when casting their vote in the 2012 election. Fourteen states require a government issued photo ID when voting in person. At the time of registering to vote, other states like Kansas and Alabama further demand proof of citizenship beyond the federal legal requirement that citizens swear they are citizens. During the 2011 legislative session, five states—Wisconsin, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and South Carolina—joined Georgia and Indiana by enacting the strictest form of photo ID requirement for voters, and most of these newest changes will first come into effect for the 2012 … [Read more...] about Voter ID Laws Disenfranchise Women 91 Years After Suffrage
Archives for August 2011
Mississippi Democrats Nominate First Black for Governor
For the first time in history, an African American will lead his party’s ticket as candidate for governor of the state of Mississippi. Hattiesburg mayor, Johnny DuPree became the first African American to win a major party nomination for Mississippi governor. In a run- off election on Tuesday, he won 55 percent of the vote and will face Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant in November. DuPree was outspent by his opponents but ran a successful grass roots campaign. In the history of the US, there have only been 3 African American governors since Reconstruction period ended in 1877. They were Virginia Governor Doug Wilder, New York Governor David Patterson and current Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. And since Reconstruction ended, there have only been 3 black US senators which include Edward Brook (D.MA), Carol Mosely Braun (D.IL) and Barack Obama (D.IL). DuPree has said he is aware of the milestone hurdle he had made but does not want to dwell on it. Going up against the … [Read more...] about Mississippi Democrats Nominate First Black for Governor
Dr. King Leaves a Message for President Obama
At the opening of Dr. King’s monument, there was a direct message from Dr. King to President Obama. The Martin Luther King monument opened on Monday, August 22 and drew diverse crowds. Just as important as the crowds and statute of Dr. King were the words inscribed on the walls surrounding the monument. The prophetic words of Dr. King to President Obama are found in this wall panel which states: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Dr. King faced challenging times during the civil rights era and fight for equality for African Americans. President Obama, in his first 3 years, has also experienced challenging and controversial times including racism by his fellow Americans, obstructionism by GOP lawmakers, and criticism by his strongest allies, progressives and African Americans. Americans and particularly African Americans face high unemployment and foreclosure rates … [Read more...] about Dr. King Leaves a Message for President Obama
5 Reasons Why President Obama Should Be Taking a Vacation
With the economy tanking and unemployment soaring, particularly among African Americans with almost double the nation’s average, should President Obama be taking a 10 day vacation at this time, is the question being asked in the 24 hour news cycle. And the answers seem to go against the President. There are 5 reasons why President Obama should be taking a vacation. President Obama is a father to 2 young girls and a husband. He does not give up those titles by becoming President of the U.S. He deserves to spend family time with them on a vacation. As for choice of vacation he does not have a family home in Crawford, Texas or Kennebunk, Maine to go to. But, choice of where to spend his vacation seems secondary to the issue. For some, no vacation is in order. With Congress on extended leave since immediately after the debt deal was passed until September 5, there is little he can accomplish in the next 10 days to fix the economy and jobs situation. Calling back Congress to work and … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons Why President Obama Should Be Taking a Vacation
Rick Perry’s Childlike Remarks on Treason
Either Rick Perry doesn’t know the meaning of treason or doesn’t care. Either way, already it’s been less than 1 week since he made his announcement for presidential candidate and he’s making blunders. Perry was quoted as saying that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would be committing a “treasonous” act by printing more money to boost the economy. President Obama gave Mr. Perry some slack citing it was early in the campaign. Members of both parties were not as kind. Tony Fratto, a Republican and former Treasury Department official under former President George W. Bush called the remark “inappropriate and unpresidential.” Does Perry understand the crime of treason? His remarks reminded me of a child who says things while using the words incorrectly. But, since Perry is no child, I’ll just chalk it up to ignorance of the definition of the term “treason”. To compare Bernanke’s work as Federal Reserve Chairman to an act of treason trivializes the act and crime of treason. It … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s Childlike Remarks on Treason
Missing Black Women Go Unnoticed in the Media
The media coverage of the case of the 35 year old missing Maryland woman in Aruba reminds me once again how the media fails to report the cases of missing black women. No, the woman missing in Aruba is not African American. If she were African American or some other minority, I doubt if the mainstream media would cover the story. Why does race matter in cases of missing women and girls? It should not matter but apparently to the media, it’s an important fact. Countless numbers of African American women and girls go missing, but the mainstream media either doesn’t care to notice or report on them. Take for instance, the case of missing North Carolina 16 year old Phylicia Barnes, who went missing while visiting relatives in Baltimore over the Christmas holiday in 2010. Phylicia was an honors student, who was graduating one year earlier and had plans to attend college. Early on, the Baltimore detectives practically begged the national media to report on and cover her case. Baltimore … [Read more...] about Missing Black Women Go Unnoticed in the Media