Voter suppression was at high tide this week—working furiously to elect Republicans. The brazen methods were virtually breathtaking, but there was one bright spot on the voter suppression front. Florida voters abolished their felon disenfranchisement law, enabling a large segment of their population to vote (in future elections). State legislatures established felon disenfranchisement laws after the … [Read more…]
Excerpts from an op-ed by a former journalist, David Tate, in today’s Roanoke Times newspaper. I remember watching and waiting [in 2004] for the expected explosion to shake the morning calm. After all, this morning was the first time in this country’s history that the people of Afghanistan were voting in a free and arguably … [Read more…]
Except for the period of Reconstruction, Black voter suppression has been a constant in elections in the United States. Back around 1900, black voter suppression took the form of terrorism (e.g., Ku Klux Klan), poll taxes, the grandfather clause, bogus literacy tests, and felony disenfranchisement. Felony disenfranchisement is the state taking away the right of … [Read more…]
For those of you who may have thought my earlier piece on Aretha was over the top, please see this tribute from the latest issue of the major opera monthly magazine Opera News by the editor in chief, Paul Driscoll. Diva Self-Respect By F. Paul Driscoll I wish all aspiring singers—male as well as female, … [Read more…]
By Leonard Pitts Jr., Tribune Content Agency on Oct 24, 2018 I have a question for white people. I will preface it with an excerpt from a recent email sent by a reader named James. He wrote: “It is the blacks who are by far the most racist of all people as they can’t seem … [Read more…]
Many of us will be sure to vote in November and will work hard to get others to the polls. And others of us will continue to howl at the outrageous efforts to suppress the vote of people of color and poor people. In the process, we should complain very loudly about the voting process … [Read more…]
I agree with Charles Pierce. Democrats need leaders who will fight for the party and for the issues of the party. It’s Time for Chuck Schumer to Go By Charles Pierce, Esquire 12 October 18 No matter what happens on Election Day, the Senate Democrats should have a new leader afterwards. No matter what happens … [Read more…]
Kevin McDermott of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch made this point in his column 10 days ago: It was always just a matter of time before Donald Trump stood in front of an audience of his bellowing fans and mocked an alleged sexual assault survivor. It’s always been the kind of man he is. “ ‘I … [Read more…]
Last week Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder for the killing of 17 year-old Laquan McDonald. He brutally murdered Laquan, shooting him 16 times, most after he had already fallen to the pavement. This was not a victory, however, in the battle to make black lives matter. Rather, it was … [Read more…]