Commentary

Simeon Booker deserves Medal of Freedom award

Wednesday, 27 March 2013 14:13 William Reed

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed by the president of the United States and is – along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of the U.S. Congress – the highest civilian awards in America. The awards recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of U.S. world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Generational-Incarceration

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 11:02 L.C. DeVine

"One picture," Fred R. Bernard once aptly remarked, "Is worth a thousand words." But, we need only a few words to describe an unsettling truth vividly depicted in the drawing shown here. On first glance this picture evokes visual images of cruelty, dehumanization, exploitation, racism, injustice, corruption, disenfranchisement, arbitrary punishment, and a host of other instruments of oppression people use to harm or exploit others. What do you see? Let's look closer.

The State of Equality and Justice in America: The urgency of now must be taken seriously

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 14:06 Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian

"The State of Equality and Justice in America" is a 20-part series of columns written by an all-star list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Onion's apology is not accepted

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 11:49 Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

In the midst of the Academy Awards drama on Sunday, February 24, one of the Onion's writers (we don't know who he is – I doubt a "she" would have stooped so low), described the lovely and talented child Quvenzhané Wallace with a filthy word that took her all the way out of her name.

Mrs. Rosa Parks: Before and after the bus

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 11:38 Marian Wright Edelman, NNPA Columnist

Our minds fasten on that single moment on the bus — Mrs. Parks alone in that seat, clutching her purse, staring out a window, waiting to be arrested.

Black American's never-ending challenge

Monday, 11 March 2013 15:45 Lee A. Daniels, NNPA Columnist

Within a matter of days late last month, four controversies erupted that acutely underscore the crux of Black Americans continuing challenge in this land.

Isn't it time to repeal the war on drugs

Thursday, 07 March 2013 11:25 William Reed

Why do Black Americans allow the war on drugs unfair toll on people of color to continue? Instead of putting a stop to the racial disparities and arrests, prosecutions, imprisonments, and lack of rehabilitation programs, Blacks have unknowingly allowed the status quo to continue in their communities.