On Tuesday, the country’s second-largest teachers’ union announced its commitment to offer legal protection to teachers who face repercussions for how they teach the history of race and racism in the United States. The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, said during a virtual union conference, “Mark my words: Our union will […]
Police Brutality in the Time of Coronavirus
Covid-19 is shining yet another spotlight on American systemic racism as African Americans face higher rates of death from coronavirus, as well as policing in the form of social distancing patrols, which are often racially disparate, inequitable, and aggressive. A majority of businesses have reduced operations or closed, but the NYPD has not slowed operations […]
COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Preexisting and Underlying American Racism and Sexism
As with most issues in the United States, Black Americans and female Americans are the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. On April 6, Louisiana was the first state to release data on Covid-19 broken down by race. Its report showed that while African American’s make up 33% of the state’s population, they accounted for […]
Black Teenager Murdered for Playing Rap Music
The hashtag “#JusticeforElijah” has been trending across social media platforms following the murder of the 17 year old black teenager Elijah Al-Amin by 27 year old Michael Adams, a white man, at a Circle K in Peoria, Arizona. Adams remains in jail for pre-meditated murder and is being held on a $1 million bond, but […]
Trump Administration Attacks Affirmative Action Admission Policies
The Trump administration will encourage schools to implement race-blind admissions policies, a reversal from an Obama-era guidance. Under the Obama Administration, the Education Department’s civil rights division issued seven guidance documents urging schools to consider race during admissions when attempting to diversify student bodies. The Justice Department plans to scrap these guidance efforts.
Supreme Court Will Not Revive North Carolina Voter Restriction Laws
Yesterday the Supreme Court deadlocked over North Carolina’s appeal to revive parts of the state’s 2013 voting laws that were recently struck down by a federal appeals court.
Outrage Over Footage of Officer Assaulting Black Student in South Carolina High School
An outpouring of national outrage has followed footage of Deputy Ben Fields attacking a female student at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina for allegedly refusing to leave her the classroom.
In Lawsuit, NYPD Officers Claim They’re Punished for Refusing to Discriminate
A dozen NYPD officers are suing the city and the NYPD for allegedly punishing them when they refuse to partake in stop-and-frisk quotas.
President Obama Meets with Ferguson Activists and Announces Policing Reforms
Following the non-indictment of former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, the White House announced a national plan for police reform.
Supreme Court Upholds Michigan Affirmative Action Ban
The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a Michigan state constitutional ban on affirmative action for women and minorities in public education, employment, and contracting.
Senate Rejects Qualified Obama Nominee to Lead DOJ Civil Rights Division
“Today’s filibuster should concern every person who care about our justice system.”
College Students Charged With Hate Crimes Against Black Roommate
Four San Jose State University students have been charged with misdemeanor hate-crime and battery for committing hate crimes against their 17 year-old black roommate.
Report Reveals LGBT People of Color Are Most Disadvantaged Workers
Inequality, lack of workplace protections, and violence and discrimination in schools all contribute to high rates of poverty and unemployment for many LGBT workers of color.
Uncategorized
Judges Rules “Stop-and-Frisk” Unconstitutional
“No one should live in fear of being stopped whenever he leaves his home to go about the activities of daily life.”
The System Has Failed: We Need to End Stand Your Ground
We stand with Marissa Alexander and support a broad repeal of Stand Your Ground laws in this country.
Uncategorized
George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty
Late Saturday night, a six person jury in Florida found George Zimmerman “not guilty” for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.
The Real Story of Margaret Sanger
By Ellen Chesler Birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger is back in the news this week thanks to GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, who claimed on national television that Planned Parenthood, the visionary global movement she founded nearly a century ago, is really about one thing only: “preventing black babies from being born.” Cain’s outrageous and […]
