August 28, 2012 marked the anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his I have a dream speech in 1963. Over 250,000 people turned out on the Washington mall for a march for jobs and equality for blacks. The massiveness of the march could not be ignored and ultimately led to the banning of poll taxes, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ending segregation in public accommodations. President Obama’s dream for hope and change is just as real as Martin Luther King’s dream speech in 1963. Today with the divisiveness in politics, the dream seems just as deferred as the hope and change ideals of President Obama’s campaign. The Martin Luther King monument opened a year ago commemorating the works of Dr. Martin Luther King. But has much really changed since the March on Washington? Today, the state of black America has the highest foreclosure, incarceration and unemployment rates. Ward 8 of the nation’s capital, … [Read more...] about The Dream Continues- Anniversary of March on Washington
Archives for August 2012
Happy Women’s Equality Day- August 26, 2012
Women have come a long way since the early days of women’s suffrage which ultimately led to the passage of the 19th amendment- granting women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. On July 19, 1848 a controversial resolution seeking the vote for women was passed at the first women's rights convention. Elizabeth Cady Stanon also called for the right to exercise free speech. The move was necessary because public speaking was considered an unwomanly act. Thomas Jefferson declared it would result in a "depravation of morals." Ironically, that first convention was presided over by a man - James Mott, husband to suffragist Lucretia. It was not until 1920 that women earned the right to vote. As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26, marking the day women received the right to vote in 1920, a move is now affront to disenfranchise women, whether indirectly or directly, the result may be the same. Voter ID laws enacted now in over half the states, requiring voters to present some … [Read more...] about Happy Women’s Equality Day- August 26, 2012
Updates from GOP and DNC Conventions
Taxes, Medicare and Abortion Trip Up GOP The Republican Party is facing its own lions, and tigers and bears much like the in the Wizard of Oz. The only difference is there is no wizard of Oz to save them. First, the debate was about Mitt Romney’s refusal to be transparent and release more than one year of his tax returns. Many prominent Republicans insisted that Romney release more tax returns. But, Romney refused even the advice of those prominent in his own party. Next came the announcement of Rep., Paul Ryan (R.WI) as Romney’s vice presidential running mate. Ryan is known for his conservative ideas to turn Medicare into nothing more than a voucher system for senior citizens. He is also known for calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Ryan’s ideas and plans would adversely affect not only seniors but everyone who lives to become a senior. We next hear that abortion has tripped up the Republicans with Rep. Todd Akin’s comments about a woman cannot become … [Read more...] about Updates from GOP and DNC Conventions
Lynching and Beatings Replaced Now With Voter ID Laws
There are no dogs, lynching and police beatings to take away voting rights in the 21st century. Republicans have a much more sophisticated method this time called voter ID laws. The result is the same. Many blacks and minorities will be systemically denied the right to vote under the pretext of these new voting laws. Vice President Biden knew exactly what he was saying and to whom he was speaking when he referred to the GOP as “trying to put y’all back in chains”. Unfortunately, many blacks and other minorities do not yet fully grasp the extent of the GOP’s disenfranchisement efforts. The effects will linger and go far beyond President Obama and the 2012 election, if not stopped. And once a train starts moving quickly, it’s not as easy to stop it. Rest assured that the GOP voter suppression train has left the station in terms of taking away voting rights. It is probably en route to a state near you, if not already arrived. Voter ID laws, under the guise of protecting voter … [Read more...] about Lynching and Beatings Replaced Now With Voter ID Laws
Biden’s Putting Y’all Back in Chains Remark Rings Truth
Republicans attacked Vice President Joe Biden for speaking to a Virginia crowd this week and saying that bank deregulation would amount to the Republicans and Mitt Romney “going to put y’all back in chains”. Many in the audience were blacks. Biden has never been known to mince words when speaking to a crowd. Subtlety is not his strong point. Speaking boldly has its place and strength. In law school, we were taught that truth is a defense to anything that appears to be libelous. Vice President Biden’s comments do not offend me because they are rhetorically true. I see Vice President Biden’s comments no different than many of the conservative Republicans and particularly the Tea Party crowd. They claim to want to “take our country back.” As an African American, I see that rhetoric means back to a time when blacks were not in power, knew their place and whites ruled over them. With the Republican voter ID laws, which will disenfranchise many blacks and minorities, it will … [Read more...] about Biden’s Putting Y’all Back in Chains Remark Rings Truth
Romney-Ryan Bus Hits Women, Minorities, Seniors and Youth
Now that Mitt Romney has named Rep. Paul Ryan (R. WI) as his vice presidential running mate, we now know what’s at stake for women, minorities, students and seniors. Ryan’s ultra conservative plan intends to throw all of them under the bus. Everything is on the line in this election. We are fighting for the soul of our country. In one corner is Romney-Ryan, who will destroy programs for women, minorities, youth and seniors. In the other corner is Obama-Biden who have been fighting for women, minorities and the middle class. The choice is clear if you are in one of these categories. But, don’t take my word for it. Looking at the facts of the Romney-Ryan team will tell the tale. On women, Ryan shows them zero respect. Ryan not only voted to defund Planned Parenthood but co-sponsored the so-called nick named “Let Women Die Act.” This act would have forbid hospitals from providing emergency abortions for women, even if a woman’s life depended on it. Defunding Planned Parenthood … [Read more...] about Romney-Ryan Bus Hits Women, Minorities, Seniors and Youth