Commentary

Putting Ebony in its proper place

Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:22 William Reed

A Black American icon, the Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) is struggling to survive in the modern media landscape. Editorial reorganizations are occurring at Ebony and JET magazines. The question is: Will the changes have any impact among African Americans and their modern-day mindsets?

Globalization not new; look at slave trade

Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:19 Philip Emeagwali, emeagwali.com

Globalization - or the ability of many people, ideas and technology to move from country to country - is not new. In Africa, it was initiated by the slave trade and given impetus by colonialism and Christian missionaries. The early missionaries saw African culture and religion as a deadly adversary and as an evil that had to be eliminated. In 1876, a 27-year-old missionary named Mary Slessor emigrated from Scotland to spend the rest of her life in Nigeria. For her efforts in trying to convert the people of Nigeria, Mary Slessor’s photograph appears on Scotland’s ten pound note, and her name can be found on schools, hospitals and roads in Nigeria.

We all benefit from giving others a second chance

Tuesday, 24 February 2009 15:36 State Rep. Bobby Champion, 58B

The word repentance is defined as having both a change of mind and a change in direction. For many ex-offenders leaving the correctional system without the prospect of support, shelter, or a good job, the change of mind is much easier to achieve than the change of direction.

Prison doors are revolving doors

Wednesday, 18 February 2009 17:41 Angela Stanton, Guest Commentary

When I was released from prison, not only was I a convicted felon, I was also a single mother with four children and nowhere to go. I gathered my children and our sack full of belongings as we headed for the nearest shelter. Upon checking into the shelter I was told that we would have thirty days to find housing. The shelters in Atlanta, GA are so overcrowded that they have a “get them in, get them out” policy.

Black History American History

Friday, 06 February 2009 18:03 Marian Wright Edelman

A century ago, a two-day race riot in Springfield, IL, where White mobs lynched two Blacks, turned out to be the final straw for a small interracial group of Americans committed to social justice.

The nation’s appetite for mass incarceration appears to be waning

Friday, 06 February 2009 17:57 Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell

ATLANTA –The nation’s appetite for mass incarceration appears to be waning, as many states confront the financial challenges of maintaining large prison populations and as public support grows for more services that better prepare prisoners to come home to their communities.

A bailout for our students

Monday, 02 February 2009 16:30 Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

Why do banks and businesses get breaks when college students do not? While some are getting multi-billion dollar bailouts, the students who so enthusiastically supported Barack Obama are being offered scant relief from the effects of our broken economy.