Being Frank By Frank James IV The year 2012 is over and the New Year 2013 is upon us. What will people do? Will people begin the New Year with a blank slate or will people carry old problems into the New Year? The bringing of old problems into new times has gone on for the past several centuries. The results vary depending on who you ask or how you look at things. Since … [Read more...] about Let it all go
Editorials and Opinions
The 24 hour American massacre: From Newtown to Chicago
By Russell Simmons My deepest prayers go out to the victims and their families and all the people whose hearts were broken in Newtown. As a father of two beautiful girls, I cannot begin to understand the loss that so many feel in that small, Connecticut town. It is beyond rational comprehension. I will continue to pray for those who have been touched by this tragedy and use … [Read more...] about The 24 hour American massacre: From Newtown to Chicago
After Newtown, beware fear-driven policy making
By Melissa Harris-Perry I was a panelist on an MSNBC show during the noon hour of December 14. When the show began, we had information about a school shooting in Connecticut. We believed there were three people hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and a gunman who had committed suicide. Scary stuff, but probably a story that would occupy our attention for the … [Read more...] about After Newtown, beware fear-driven policy making
Never enough teddy bears
Since the senseless massacre of 26 people at an elementary school in the upscale, small town of Newtown, CT, on Friday, December 14, 2012, newspapers, newscasts, and coffee-break conversations have been dominated by the subject of the easy accessibility in the United States of firearms – especially those weapons designed for use in warfare and for the sole purpose of destroying … [Read more...] about Never enough teddy bears
One week later…
Child Watch By Marian Wright Edelman More than a week later, we remain shaken by the horror brought to Sandy Hill Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The 20 children and 6 educators slain there are the latest victims of America's relentless gun violence plague. Each week, 350 children and teens are killed or injured by guns-enough to fill 14 more classrooms of … [Read more...] about One week later…
One week later…
Child Watch By Marian Wright Edelman More than a week later, we remain shaken by the horror brought to Sandy Hill Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The 20 children and 6 educators slain there are the latest victims of America's relentless gun violence plague. Each week, 350 children and teens are killed or injured by guns-enough to fill 14 more classrooms of … [Read more...] about One week later…
Obama is the best man for the job
It has to be overwhelming being the first Black president of the United States. Just consider the kinds of conversations that we continue to listen to or participate in at church, in barbershops and beauty parlors or at our own kitchen tables. As the Democrats met recently for their national convention and formally nominated Barack Obama as their candidate for the … [Read more...] about Obama is the best man for the job
Latest poverty numbers a wake-up call: we must continue to support this president
The major headline in most newspapers and media outlets was the notion that the national poverty rate remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. While millions of Americans continue to struggle to find work and provide for their families, it's important to take a moment to reflect on what has actually transpired under President Obama's watch, and keep things in … [Read more...] about Latest poverty numbers a wake-up call: we must continue to support this president
Romney dismisses 47 percent of the American population as ‘dependent victims’
This week, we learned what Mitt Romney said about Obama supporters to fellow millionaires at a closed-door fundraiser: “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent of the people who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has … [Read more...] about Romney dismisses 47 percent of the American population as ‘dependent victims’
Fifteen memorable quotes from the Democratic convention
#15 – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO): “Congress is unable to do the work of the American people because too many politicians believe that compromise means capitulation. This must change, because just as bees cannot sting and make honey at the same time, members of Congress cannot simultaneously make passionate enemies and expect political progress.” #14 – Rep. Barney Frank … [Read more...] about Fifteen memorable quotes from the Democratic convention