By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) —“My office says my name, Rachel, on the door. I am the only one who sits in it. People constantly walk in, see me, and say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry…I’m looking for Rachel.’ I’m half black.”“Upon hearing that I had secured an internship for the summer, my roommate […]
Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
By Jim Lobe WASHINGTON (IPS) — U.S. state legislators and corporate lobbies have engaged in an unprecedented attack on minimum wages that has lowered U.S. labor standards, according to new research released recently.The report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a think tank here, is the first of its kind, providing a comprehensive overview of […]
Public urged to demand independent review of police-involved deaths
By Michael Bell Team-Plea for a change Cops can be heroes, but since 1890 every Wisconsin officer who took a life was cleared of any wrongdoing. Every single one. When someone dies in a police incident, the death is reviewed either internally by cowork Sign the petition today, AB409.com Cops can be heroes, but […]
Unemployment for black women at 4-year low
By Freddie Allen, NNPA Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) — As job prospects for Whites and Black men have slowed or stalled completely, Black women continue to gain ground in a weak labor market, according to the latest jobs report.“Over the last few months, Black women have seen the greatest decline in their unemployment rate, so there […]
Dumping ‘At Risk’ and other negative labels
WASHINGTON (NNPA) — Although most today’s headlines focus on Black educational failures, there are many positive achievements by Black students that often go overlooked, according to a new study.A recently released report from the National Black Child Development Institute takes a confident and constructive look at our children. “Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor: […]
Drone strike served CIA revenge, blocked Pakistan’s strategy
WASHINGTON (IPS) — After a drone strike had reportedly killed Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud Nov. 1, the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council declared that, if true, it would be “a serious loss” for the terrorist organization.That reaction accurately reflected the Central Intelligence Agency’s argument for the strike. But the back story of […]
Obama on defensive over healthcare glitches
WASHINGTON (NNPA) —Under unrelenting attacks — including from Democratic supporters – President Obama and White House officials continue to struggle as they try to blunt criticism that that President Obama stretched the truth in describing coverage options for consumers who already had health insurance before the roll out of healthcare.gov and the individual mandate policy […]
2013 Elections: Something to vote for – and against
Last week’s elections for the governorships of New Jersey, where the Republican incumbent won, and Virginia, where the Republican contender lost, have thrown into sharp relief two political dynamics it’s important to not lose sight of.The first is that Black voters in both statewide contests (and in the New York City mayor’s race) have once […]
Health insurance website stumbles on launch
WASHINGTON (NNPA) — Last week, President Barack Obama said what many people who visited healthcare.gov to browse and buy affordable health insurance already knew: The website, tied so heavily to the success of the Affordable Care Act, wasn’t working properly.“And there’s no sugarcoating it,” said President Obama during a speech on the Affordable Care Act […]
Robert L. Johnson announces a campaign to end payday lending,,,
Robert L. Johnson announces a campaign to end payday lending and to encourage access to low interest rate borrowing alternatives. Initiative To Call On Minority Organizations, Elected Officials, and Consumer Groups To Support Low Interest Solutions For Consumers In Need Of Short Term And Emergency Borrowing BETHESDA, MD Robert L. Johnson, founder and […]