Alabama Mardi Gras in black and white
In “The Order of Myths,” a documentary directed by Margaret Brown, we learn that in 1981, 19-year-old Black youth Michael Donald was lynched (one of the last “traditional” Southern lynchings in the United States). Brown shows two still photos of the young man, one as he hangs from the tree, neck bent and noose deadly and murderously apparent, and the other on a slab at the morgue with the noose still on.
OPINION: Senate Dems flex legislative muscle on fair pay
By a vote of 61 to 36, the Senate passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act this week, a bill that had broad support from civil rights organizations, the labor movement, and women's equality groups. In short, key Democratic Party constituencies (i.e. sections of the core forces of the working-class movement) saw this bill as a top priority
Obamas stimulus plan must be passed now
The $825 billion stimulus plan proposed by Congress and applauded by Barack Obama should be approved immediately. Despite some noted imperfections — probably too much is dedicated to tax cuts, and even though it is the biggest rescue program in U.S. history it is likely just the beginning of the recovery effort — time is of the essence. If some concessions to Republicans on tax cuts gain speed in delivering jobs and income to American workers, then let it be so!
This land is our land
Pete Seeger, legendary folk singer and labor, civil rights and peace activist, joined by Bruce Springsteen and Seeger's grandson Tao Seeger, leads the crowd in singing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”
A new era begins: Millions celebrate Obamas call to remake America
WASHINGTON — With millions looking on, Barack Obama took the oath as 44th president of the United States, Jan. 20, and summoned the people to join in the struggle to remake America, reeling from two wars and a worsening economic crisis.
A people's inaugural
Huge crowds, unprecedented in U.S. history, gathered in Washington on Tuesday to celebrate and welcome President Barack Obama to the White House. Pre-inaugural estimates of up to 3 million participants seemed on mark, with newspapers like the Washington Post calculating 2 million people on the Mall.
Music and history light up Lincoln Memorial
WASHINGTON — The Lincoln Memorial, a site for many an important demonstration for civil rights, became the moving backdrop Jan. 18 for “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.”
California careens toward budget cliff
As California’s budget continued to careen headlong toward the cliff of insolvency, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week delivered a state-of-the-state address shorn of the bold pronouncements that marked his five previous addresses.
40,000 at whistlestop cheer Obama on way to capital
BALTIMORE — Over 40,000 people braved bitter cold last Saturday afternoon to give Barack Obama a warm greeting as he passed through Charm City on his way to the capital to be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president Tuesday Jan. 20.
The cost of living
During a recent shopping trip to Macy’s I made a simple, but possibly profound, discovery: shit costs too much, way too much. I’m serious. I keep reading about big discounts offered by retailers due to the recession so I went shopping looking for a good buy in keeping with my $10 shirt and pants policy — I don’t spent more than 10 bucks for either. Seriously. However, I’m not seeing any big change in prices as compared to, say, six months or a year ago. What’s going on?
