By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist PRETORIA, South Africa — Jesse Jackson left the Southern Sun Hotel in downtown Pretoria shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, expecting it would take less than two hours to fly 541 miles to Qunu, where funeral services were being held for former South African President Nelson Mandela.The first indication that […]
Mandela’s road to freedom
By Julianne Malveaux If I close my eyes, I can remember 1984. I am among those running from meeting to meeting working to pass Proposition J, the San Francisco ballot initiative that required the city to divest pension funds from companies doing business in South Africa. The ballot initiative had to get two-thirds of the […]
Mandela opponents trying to re-write history
By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist Many conservatives who actively opposed Nelson Mandela’s protracted struggle to establish democracy in White minority-ruled South Africa are trying to rationalize their past criticism by either ignoring their earlier public statements or trying to place the struggle for a democratic society in South Africa in a Cold War context.Leading […]
The tax man cometh
By James Clingman, NNPA Columnist When the tax man cometh, Black dollars “goeth.” Where will they goeth? Down a myriad of paths in pursuit of new items such as furniture, cars, clothing, and other niceties. But first, unless you do your own tax return or get it done for free by someone, Black dollars goeth […]
A Dad’s Reflection On His Li’l Miracle & Her Delivery
By Dr. Alex Gee (December 2, 2013 at 2:07pm) Jackie suffers from an incompetent cervix which means that her uterus cannot hold the weigh of a baby. Her doctor put a cerclage (stitch) in her uterus to keep it secure. On Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 1996) Jackie’s water broken…120 days too early!!!! 17 years ago […]
What Would Republicans Do on Healthcare?
By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist Many ardent conservatives are critical of the Affordable Care Act or what they derisively call “Obamacare.” But what are they proposing that proves that they care about uninsured Americans? The Tampa Bay Times’ “Pundit Fact” team discovered some interesting findings when they approached that question indirectly. Specifically, the newspaper […]
Nuclear option launched against intransigent Republicans
By George E. Curry After repeated Republican obstruction, Senate Democrats boldly stood up to Republicans by pulling the trigger on the nuclear option, a parliamentary maneuver that means most executive branch nominees now can be approved by a simple majority rather than the 60-vote supermajority in effect throughout President Obama’s term.Although Democrats hold a 55-45 […]
Walmart workers shouldn’t have to donate food to coworkers
By Julianne Malveaux For the past year, an organization called OUR Walmart, has protested, raised questions and asked their employer, one of the nation’s largest companies, to treat them fairly. They have asked for better wages, more full-time hours, and for the opportunity to earn benefits.Walmart has responded with well-timed publicity moves. They will allow […]
Parks’ Place/John Quinlan: In remembrance of Dr. Gene Farley
By John Quinlan The words comprising the obituary of an amazing life were suitably elegant in their simplicity: “Eugene Farley M.D., M.P.H. died at age 86 on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. He leaves behind not only a devoted family but a whole community that has been inspired by him in his indefatigable work to make […]
Parks Place
By David Hart As is the case with perhaps all presidents, President Barack Obama can point to a number of times when he has been measured and thoughtful in his tenure. No matter what we think about the president politically or personally, I think we can all agree that he has had moments where he […]