Commentary

Why focus on black men healing as way to empower the community?

Monday, 08 June 2009 16:04 Guest commentary, Samuel Simmons, Jr., ADC and Minister James Muhammad

Whether right or wrong, when discussing the ills and disparities within the African American community, many things are discussed, such as violence, drugs, poverty, and emotional, physical, spiritual health. However, there are two that come to the forefront, especially in the urban community: racism and the Black men’s role.

Continue voting rights fight?

Thursday, 28 May 2009 13:09 Judge Greg Mathis

A small municipality in Austin, Texas will soon get its chance to convince the Supreme Court that parts of the Voting Rights Act are not only unconstitutional, but no longer needed. If the court agrees, a key section of the Act, which has been shown to reduce discriminatory voting practices, could be dismantled. While America has come far in the last forty plus years, voting irregularities still exist and we must urge the Court to rule in favor of the Act.

High schoolers left behind

Thursday, 28 May 2009 13:08 Judge Greg Mathis

Signed amid controversy in 2001, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law shook up the nation’s public education system. Schools were now held accountable for student achievement; if students continually failed to meet minimum test scores, schools were placed on probation.

Limit credit card use

Thursday, 28 May 2009 13:07 Judge Greg Mathis

The U.S. government is headed towards drastically restructuring the way credit card companies do business and, in turn, easing a heavy financial burden carried by so many Americans. Congress has approved, and the President is expected to sign, legislation that will, among other things, control sudden credit card interest rate increases and late fee charges. Of course, the credit card industry is not happy with these new restrictions and will look for new ways to generate profits. So, even the new law will protect consumers, individuals must still exercise restraint when using credit cards.

Minority homeowners hurt most

Thursday, 28 May 2009 13:06 Judge Greg Mathis

Owning a home is a key part of the “American Dream” and critical step in creating wealth; even low- and moderate-income homeowners are able to benefit from their investment. Unfortunately, with the recent crash of both the housing and financial markets, fewer Americans own homes than they did just a few years ago. The biggest declines were among minorities, with blacks and Latinos homeownership rates falling at a rate much faster than whites.

Fostering Adoptions Act will improve life for thousands of youths

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 13:59 Marian Wright Edelman

May is National Foster Care Month and this year is a good time to reflect on the progress we can make in improving the lives of children and youths in foster care by implementing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (Fostering Connections Act). This important new federal law, approved last fall with broad bipartisan support, will help hundreds of thousands of children and youths who have been abused and neglected. It’s now up to all of us to see that states implement it so that it truly benefits young people across the country.

Black families getting stronger

Thursday, 21 May 2009 15:49 Judge Greg Mathis

For decades there has been much discussion about the disintegration of the black family and of the negative effects single parent households tend to have on our children and our communities. It is no coincidence that many young gang members come from families where there is no real father figure or that teen mothers often had poor, if any, relationships with their own fathers. These young people would follow in their parent’s footsteps, creating a vicious cycle where active black fathers were the exception and not the rule.