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Home Issue: 140

Issue: 140

June 2, 2005

Commentary

National Conference of Black Lawyers – Demands: Hands Off Assata Shakur

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

The announcement that a $1 million bounty has been placed on the head of exiled freedom fighter Assata Shakur sends a clear, unmistakable message that the U.S. government will stop at nothing to perpetuate the systemic denial of the most basic human rights of African people born and/or residing in the Americas. The National Conference…

The announcement that a $1 million bounty has been placed on the head of exiled freedom fighter Assata Shakur sends a clear, unmistakable message that the…

Continue reading 2 min

Cover Story

Black Labor Calls for New ‘Gary’ Convention

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

“We have no quarrel with any union or individual, unless they question our right to be in the room.” – William Lucy, President, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) “I sit on the AFL-CIO Council. Those boys don’t ask me anything.” – Clayola Brown, Executive Council, AFL-CIO and CBTU We must build an independent political…

“We have no quarrel with any union or individual, unless they question our right to be in the room.” – William Lucy, President, Coalition of Black…

Continue reading 13 min

Commentary

Freedom Rider: Farrakhan and Foxman

By Margaret Kimberley Guest Commentator

In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Million Man March, Minister Louis Farrakhan has announced the creation of the Millions More Movement. The Millions More Movement includes Russell Simmons, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dorothy Height and Julianne Malveaux among its supporters. Farrakhan is still a lightning rod for controversy. As soon as the…

In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Million Man March, Minister Louis Farrakhan has announced the creation of the Millions More Movement. The Millions More Movement…

Continue reading 5 min

Commentary

Excuses, Excuses: How the Right Rationalizes Racial Inequality (Part Three: Housing)

By Tim Wise Guest Commentator

According to government estimates, between two and three million cases of housing discrimination take place each year, victimizing persons of color who seek to either purchase or rent a place to live. This discrimination takes several different forms, some of which are rather blatant, and others of which appear more subtle: claiming that the last…

According to government estimates, between two and three million cases of housing discrimination take place each year, victimizing persons of color who seek to either purchase…

Continue reading 10 min

Commentary

Black Gay Pride: Does Green Know the Difference Between Black and White?

By Jasmyne Cannick Columnist

The Miami Herald recently ran an article entitled “Gay Pride Celebrations: the Nation’s Top 10 Festivals are Diverse and Delightful.” Unfortunately there was nothing diverse or delightful in its choices. Topping the list of most festive gay pride celebrations were New York City, San Francisco and Long Beach, California. However, their equally popular and festive…

The Miami Herald recently ran an article entitled "Gay Pride Celebrations: the Nation’s Top 10 Festivals are Diverse and Delightful.” Unfortunately there was nothing diverse or…

Continue reading 5 min

Commentary

Open Letter to President Bush on Darfur: Specific Actions to Stop the Ongoing Genocide

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

On Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Africa Action hosted a media briefing, in Washington, D.C., along with other national advocacy groups, to demand that President Bush take specific steps to stop the genocide in Darfur. The groups released an Open Letter to the President on Darfur, signed by 80 prominent national organizations and leadership figures, representing…

On Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Africa Action hosted a media briefing, in Washington, D.C., along with other national advocacy groups, to demand that President Bush take…

Continue reading 9 min

Commentary

Open Letter to Human Rights Watch: Stop Dismissing Victims of Haitian Police

By Kevin Pina Correspondent in Port-au-Prince

TO: Human Rights Watch RE: Letter to the U.N. Security Council on the Renewal of the Mandate of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) DATE: May 17, 2005 Dear HRW, In your recent letter to the U.N. Security Council dated May 16, 2005 you stated, “During a recent mission to Haiti, Human Rights Watch…

TO: Human Rights Watch RE: Letter to the U.N. Security Council on the Renewal of the Mandate of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) DATE:…

Continue reading 4 min

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