720 – Black Commentator

View from the Battlefield

Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria: Ain’t I a U.S. Citizen!

By Jamala Rogers Editorial Board

According to one poll, nearly half of Americans don’t know that the Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. They don’t even know that the little country of 3.5 million residents has been a U.S. colony since 1898 with its indigenous people forced to become U.S. citizens in 1917.

‘Viva Puerto Rico Libre!’ These were the defiant words of Lolita Lebron in 1954 as she fired off rounds from her Luger gun in the halls…

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Cartoon

Tax Bill

By Mark Hurwitt

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Guest Commentary

It’s a Short Leap from “Bitch” and “Ho” to #MeToo

By Jasmyne Cannick Columnist

If it’s truly time to focus on the systems that allow sexual violence to flourish then we have to be willing to talk about all of it and that includes our continued support and glorification of rape culture and sexual violence in rap music.

While it’s no secret that the film industry has an undeniable problem with complicity when it comes to the sexual harassment and abuse of women–less talked…

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Color of Law

Here’s What You Should Know About the Injustice of Cyntoia Brown

By David A. Love, JD Executive Editor

No one protected Cyntoia Brown, a victim of child trafficking and a sex slave who, at 16, killed a man who bought her for sex. The real crime was her sentence, and the fact that she went to prison at all.

Who is Cyntoia Brown? And why are celebrities like Rihanna, T.I., Kim Kardashian, LeBron James and Gabrielle Union burning up social media talking about her case?…

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Commentary

Sisters Rising – Black Women’s Votes in 2017

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux, PhD Editorial Board

Black women rarely get the respect or recognition that our votes indicate we deserve. Our vote is too often taken for granted even when it makes a major difference in elections.

Virginia Governor-elect Ralph Northam is as dull as they come. Listening to him speak is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But he’s a Democrat…

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Commentary

Trump and the Charge of Antisemitism: The Power Of Pr

By John Funiciello Columnist

President Donald Trump is busy every day and the only work that seems to draw his interest is to delegitimize every agency of government and, most important, to delegitimize the function of America’s free press, the right to report that is a vital part of the First Amendment.

The U.S. and the world are at a crucial time in history for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that objective truth is…

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Cartoon

Chopping Wood

By Eric Garcia Cartoonist/Artist

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Commentary

My Black Lesbian Body is a Target for Police Brutality

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

The reason many sexual assaults go unreported is that half of the 35 top fifty police departments in the U.S have no policies prohibiting police sexual violence against the public.

The reality of unarmed African American women- LBTQ, gender nonconforming and straight- being beaten, profiled, sexually violated and murdered by law enforcement officials with alarming regularity…

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Commentary

Magician-In-Chief

By Perry Redd Columnist

Donald Trump is contrast to the alpha male, yet portrays himself as such. Never played football, never served in the military and probably scared shitless of a gun, but that’s the magician in him. Any male dominance he might possess comes from the business end of a dollar bill and a gift from his disgraced father. Does he think he can wave his “I’m the president” fairy dust and we’ll believe the magic?

Among the worst insults one can receive is being thought of as a liar. That insult is made doubly worse when the one making the accusation…

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Sharp n’ Blunt

Is a Teacher or Principal Who Supports Donald Trump able to Educate Black Kids?

By Desi Cortez Columnist

I can’t see how Trump-backing educators sincerely want to “enlighten” students of color. I don’t believe the 21st century “Archie Bunker” slice of the American pie, that demographic legitimately has Black and Brown people’s “best interest” at heart.

Can someone be “pro” KKK and also be “Pro” black people?Can you support Donald Trump’s mission, support his quest to “make America White again,” and simultaneously…

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Issue: 720