The government is shut down but the Supreme Court is hard at work hearing cases for the October Term, 2013. On Tuesday, the high Court heard a case on affirmative action to decide if a State by referendum can ban affirmative action in higher public institutions. The justices will be asked to uphold Michigan's voter initiative forbidding "preferential" admissions based on race. Other cases that are expected to be heard this term are on abortion rights, gay rights, the Affordable Care Act, search of cell phones upon arrest and prayer at town hall meetings, to name a few. The case, Schuette vs. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, was heard on Oct. 15 on the question of does it violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection when a state bans such considerations in public-university admissions across the state through a constitutional amendment? Justice Elena Kagan is not participating in the case, but a 4-4 decision would mean the Sixth Circuit’s decision holding the ban … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Cases to Watch in 2013 Term
Archives for October 2013
Miriam Carey, Post-Partum Depression and Mental Health
More than one week since Miriam Carey was shot and killed by police, after a chase from the White House to the U.S. Capitol, there have been few voices speaking out and questioning her death and the issues surrounding it. Her sisters and family stated that she suffered from post-partum depression following the birth of her one year old daughter, Erica. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of post-partum depression range from insomnia, mood swings, overwhelming fatigue, appetite loss to a more severe condition called post-partum psychosis. The Mayo Clinic describes post-partum psychosis with symptoms of confusion, delusion, disorientation, hallucination and paranoia. Miriam Carey was being treated for her post-partum depression. She had previously been hospitalized with no history of violence, according to her mother. And she had a supportive family who was aware of her illness and is speaking out. On other health issues affecting women, such as abortion, contraceptives, … [Read more...] about Miriam Carey, Post-Partum Depression and Mental Health
The Angry Black Woman Stereotype and Miriam Carey
The media’s perception of the Angry Black Woman stereotype affects how the public views the police chase, shooting and killing of Miriam Carey. At first, Carey was portrayed as a mentally unhinged black woman, suffering from depression. Some media outlets have depicted her as a woman allegedly upset with President Obama. According to CBS News confirmations, Carey “told police in December that she was a prophet, that President Obama would place the city of Stamford under a "lockdown" and that he had her and her residence under electronic surveillance.” Often black women are viewed by the media in one of three ways, as an “angry black woman”, Mammy (a maid) or as Jezebel, a sexual object. The media is all too ready to put black women in one of these three boxes. Check box one if you’re the angry black woman. Check box number two if you’re the Mammy, which is considered by many in the mainstream media to be the preferred box. The Mammy is the docile maid. Think of the movie, … [Read more...] about The Angry Black Woman Stereotype and Miriam Carey
A Review of Police Killing of Miriam Carey is Needed
Miriam Carey’s sister, Valarie Carey, a former NYPD Sergeant spoke out about her sister’s shooting death stating there is no justification for the police killing of her sister. She stated that, "Deadly physical force was not the ultimate recourse and it didn't have to be." A closer examination reveals that more scrutiny is warranted into the shooting death of Miriam Carey. Carey, a 34 year old mother of 1 year old Erica Carey and dental hygienist was killed on October 3, when police fired 21 shots while chasing her through Washington, DC city streets en route from the White House to the U.S. Capitol. Carey who is described as suffering from postpartum depression drove from Stamford, Connecticut, where she lived, to the White House. Unable to get through the White House barricade, she headed towards the U.S. Capitol. She proceeded with police in full chase towards the U.S. Capitol and ended at the Hart Senate Building, where she was killed by Secret Service police. … [Read more...] about A Review of Police Killing of Miriam Carey is Needed