Breaking News! History in the Making
Paula’s Worst Ingredients
By Frank Bruni, the New York Times Paula Deen is where sass meets crass, where the homespun and folksy curdle into something with a sour aftertaste. Her manner may be as sugary as her cooking, her smile as big as the hams she hawked for Smithfield. But she doesn’t pause when she should. Doesn’t question…
In rejecting Voting Rights Act, Supreme Court says the South is no different than rest of country on race
By theGrio.com …[Today’s voting rights] opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts takes great pains to reject the notion that the South of today has any lingering challenges that bar minorities from voting. Roberts argues that the nine states covered fully by Section 4b of the law don’t discriminate against minority voters any more or less…
Jim Crow Returns: The Voting Rights Act Gutted Today!
This morning the Supreme Court cut out the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It ended the practice of “coverage.” Covered states (mostly in the South), with a history of racial discrimination, must receive clearance from the federal government before changing their voting laws. The Court’s decision made unconstitutional the formula that determines which…
Paula Deen Scandal Continues As Employees Tell Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Of Alleged Discrimination
By Fran Jeffries and Wayne Washington, Atlanta Journal Constitution An attorney for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition said current and former Paula Deen employees told him the famous cook and her brother discriminated against black employees, one of whom was consistently referred to as “my little monkey.” After Deen acknowledged using a racial slur, the story went…
Racially Biased Arrests for Pot
By the Editorial Board, New York Times Researchers have long known that African-Americans are more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites, even though studies have repeatedly shown that the two groups use the drug at similar rates. New federal data, included in a study by the American Civil Liberties Union, now shows…
Juneteenth: A New Birth of Freedom
June 19th remains an important day of celebration for the Americans who descend from formerly enslaved people.
Frederick Douglass Statue to Be Unveiled in Capitol on Juneteenth Day
A statue of a notable abolitionist was scheduled for unveiling on a day celebrating the end of slavery in the USA.
Race vs. Class: The False Dichotomy
By Sherrilyn A. Ifill, New York Times The decision is in. All consideration of race in college admissions is over. No, the Supreme Court has not yet announced its decision in the landmark case of Fisher v. University of Texas; that ruling is expected any day now. But an alarming number of scholars, pundits and columnists…
Reception to be Held for ABHM’s International Advisory Committee in Milwaukee on June 14, 2013
Members of ABHM’s International Advisory Committee are coming to town to meet the people who helped renew the museum. The museum’s board and staff is holding a reception open to our supporters. We have several exciting developments at the museum to present, too, so… Please come meet and mingle with our International Advisors, Volunteers, Donors, and…
Trayvon Martin: The Latest
By Jenée Desmond-Harris, theRoot.com Thursday, June 6, 11 a.m. EDT: At a hearing today, Judge Debra Nelson of Seminole County Circuit Court in Florida rejected a request from a lawyer for George Zimmerman to shield the identities of as many as seven witnesses at Zimmerman’s upcoming trial, NBC reports. Attorney O’Mara said that the concerns of the potential…
African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home
Experience a two-day adventure into African-American genealogy, featuring internationally known genealogist, author and lecturer, Tony Burroughs. African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home will be held June 21-22 at the Pyle Center in Madison. View or download a flier describing the African-American genealogical resources available at the Wisconsin Historical Society (PDF 141 KB). The featured…
On This Date in History, May 31, 1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre
From Wikipedia On May 31 and June 1, 1921, the white citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma, attacked the city’s black citizens, following the publication of a sensationalized story of a black man assaulting a white woman in an elevator. The Greenwood District, also known as the “Black Wall Street,” the wealthiest black community in the United States, was…
Cheerios Commercial Featuring Mixed Race Family Gets Racist Backlash
By Braden Goyette, the Huffington Post An adorable Cheerios commercial featuring an interracial couple and their daughter generated such a strong racist backlash on YouTube that the comments section had to be closed. The ad had received more than 1,600 likes and more than 500 dislikes as of Thursday evening. Prior to the closure, the comment section had…
It’s Not Your Grandmother’s NAACP
The 104-year-old organization is working to dispel myths that it’s black-only and mired in the past. By Jenée Desmond-Harris, theRoot.com In 2005 the NAACP took a look at its membership and, more important, the people who were not members. There was the robust Youth & College Division, but then, as National Board Chairman Roslyn Brock puts it, “After you’re…
Obama at Morehouse: Try Another Listen
You might find that attacks on his commencement speech — a hit among graduates — missed the mark. By Jack White, theRoot.com It’s been evident since Obama’s first election that America was dividing into two different worlds, broadly defined by demographics. He was swept into office by a relatively youthful, ethnically diverse coalition in which huge…
Job Post: The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) seeks experienced Curator
African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI), IA 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 www.blackiowa.org, 319-862-2101 Curator Position: The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) seeks a dynamic and experienced museum professional to serve as full time Curator. Supervisory Responsibilities: The curator will be expected to supervise a variety of interns, and temporary staff as available.…
Why there’s no ‘excuse’ for simplifying Obama’s message to Morehouse men
by James Braxton Peterson, theGrio.com Interestingly enough, both the president’s detractors and his supporters will seize on the same soundbite from his address to the 2013 graduating class at Morehouse College. In the speech, he basically makes two requests of the Morehouse graduating seniors – 1) In the Morehouse tradition, continue to expect more of yourself and…
Cleveland’s WEWS-TV Issues Apology For Report On Charles Ramsey’s Criminal Record
Soon after his TV debut, reports surfaced about Ramsey’s record, one that reportedly included convictions for domestic violence. Multiple outlets, including WEWS, reported on Ramsey’s criminal past.
Which Slave Wrote His Way Out of Slavery?
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. tells the amazing story of one man whos, against all odds, was able to escape slavery and return home.
