Issue: 789
May 16, 2019
Color of Law
Sandra Bland’s Cellphone Video is a Disturbing Reminder
Executive Editor
It was far too easy to dismiss Sandra Bland as an angry black woman who was arrested for her bad attitude. She knew her rights. Those who place blind faith in law enforcement argue that violence can be avoided by simply complying with officers' demands. But for black people, even following orders and doing the right thing can still lead to tragedy.
(CNN) Nearly four years after the arrest and death of Sandra Bland, a cell phone video she recorded of the fateful encounter with a Texas state…
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Cover Story
To Commemorate Brown, Support Our Teachers
Editorial Board
Sixty-five years after the Brown c. Board of Education decision, the achievement gap is persistent. Our nation's wealth gap is one of achievement, and the treatment of our nation's teachers is connected to the wealth and achievement gap. When we commemorate Brown v. Board of Education, we must embrace the importance of adequately compensating teachers.
Sixty-five years ago, the Supreme Court ruled, in the Brown v. Board of Education case, that the Plessy c. Ferguson (1896) doctrine of "separate but equal"…
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Commentary
The Other Racism: Colorism
Editorial Board
While African American sisters are opening doors, cracking glass ceilings, and disrupting Eurocentric paradigms of beauty more has to been done in terms of allowing chocolate - complexion and darker-skinned sisters, like our former First Lady, Michelle Obama, to be pageant queens, too.
America continues to struggle with its battle against white racism. However, what’s not addressed is the internalized racism people of color struggle with, too- consciously and…
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Commentary
Non Cooperation in the Land of the Willfully Innocent
Editorial Board
so much mean-spirited thinking, ubiquitous, encircles black people. To not know. To refuse to know. A form of thinking no less that isn’t freedom—but instead deliberate and cruel.
You’re playing monopoly with a hyena. When it bites you and shits on the board, saying it’s not your turn doesn’t really work. Bill Maher, Real…
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Commentary
The Trump Business Plan – Solidarity America
Columnist
In the case of his tariffs and his trade wars, he is doing damage to the nation and not just to those who have mistakenly chosen to associate themselves with him. He has shown himself to be a personal tragedy, but what he has brought about as “leader of the free world” is a national tragedy and, in turn, a global economic tragedy.
A good con man will convince the mark that something is broken and offer to fix it, for a price, and if it isn't broken, he…
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Commentary
Countering Republican Strategies for 2020 Victories
Columnist
Along with anti-abortion measures, the Trump coalition continues to push anti-immigrant/anti-minority policies to ramp up his base to turn out in large numbers and to widen cleavages in the Democratic base—between the socialist left and the mainstream, and within the African American community.
Republicans are pursuing multiple, interrelated strategies in their efforts to win 2020 national and local elections. Among them are anti-abortion laws: 250 restrictions in 11 states…
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View from the Battlefield
Democracy or Dictatorship? – It’s time for a civics lesson
Editorial Board
This country is at a serious crossroads, democracy is hanging in the balance. Most of us don’t know much about this country’s history or how government functions. It’s time to learn. It’s time to stop the advancement of a dictator.
The Mueller Report is finally in. Now what? The report reminded me when of former U.S. General Attorney Eric Holder tempered the expectations of Ferguson protesters…
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