The Black Vote is Still President Obama's Trump Card, but Only if the Numbers are There

It was part race, part pride, and all sense of history in the making and being a part of Obama's epic win

2011-12-25

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Black voters will again give President Obama a sky high percentage of their vote in 2012. That was never in doubt. What is in doubt is how many will make up that percentage. It is the number, not percentage of black voters that turn out that will again ease the President's path back to the White House or make that path rocky. The 2008 election decisively proved that the presidential reelection bid is a pure numbers game. Read the complete article

Remembering Ron Walters at Christmas

I wrote shortly after Ron died that he was a one-man civil rights movement. And he was.

2011-12-23

George E. Curry NNPA Columnist

Around this time every year, shortly before I leave to visit my mother in Augusta, Ga. for Christmas, I attend a party at the home of Pat and Ron Walters in Silver Spring, Md. I attended the annual party Saturday night with one noticeable difference – it was held without Ron, an enormously talented strategist and political scientist. Read the complete article

Robert Champion: Drum Major for Change in University Hazing

Robert and Pam Champion are to be commended for turning their pain into a force for change

2011-12-22

Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist

Most parents of college students look forward to December, when their students come home for the holidays.  Some are so excited to see their offspring home that they actually come to their colleges to pick them up.  Others prepare special treats and goodies as an antidote to the oft complained about cafeteria food. Read the complete article

Predatory Payday Lending by Banks on the Rise

Black leaders speak out against short-term triple digit interest rates

2011-12-12

Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist

Each year, street corner payday loans strip consumers of $4.5 billion. Now, at least four large banks joining the ranks of those offering one of the most predatory products sold to unsuspecting consumers. Banks like Wells Fargo, US, Regions and Fifth Third are all offering their checking account customers payday loans that typically require full repayment within 10 days with interest rates of 360 percent or higher. Read the complete article

Raise Your Voice Against Dangerous Attacks on Voting Rights

5 million Black, Latino and other voters could be blocked from 2012 elections if right-wing changes are implemented

2011-12-12

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

At the heart of a democracy is the fundamental right to vote.  Yet for Black Americans, especially, the right to vote is historically blood-soaked and sacred.  We paid a heavy price to get the right to vote.  But it is not just a legal right; it is also a moral responsibility to vote given the tremendous sacrifice by so many of our fore parents that successfully waged a tireless struggle to dismantle American apartheid.  Today for more than 45 million Black people in the United States, we cannot afford to take for granted this important civil right and civic responsibility. Read the complete article

Why Aren’t Heads Rolling at FAMU?

Penn State cleaned house after its scandal; similar steps should take place in wake of hazing tragedy

2011-12-08

Lucius Gantt, Special to the NNPA from the Florida Courier

The only person fired so far in the aftermath of the FAMU hazing tragedy has been the university band director. How convenient. Read the complete article

With Cain Out, Turn the Glare on Gingrich’s Racial Skeletons

For two decades the candidate has spewed bigoted, racially charged commentary

2011-12-06

LOS ANGELES -- With Republican presidential contender Herman Cain’s presidential candidacy effectively dead, now’s a good time to turn a hard glare on the suddenly surging GOP front-runner Newt Gingrich’s racial skeletons. Read the complete article

Make 2012 the Year of Education Demands

In Black community—where dropout rate is double that of Whites—improvements in the classroom should be the loudest rallying cry

2011-12-02

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

Excellence in education should not be just a matter for national political debate and dialogue; it should be the cause for urgent grassroots social action, protest and demand. Read the complete article

Minority Workers, Confront Your False Expectations About Retirement Saving

Blacks, Latinos often lag in preparation, even when earning is on par with Whites

2011-11-30

Louis Taylor, Special to The Skanner News

I am an African American financial advisor. However, African Americans and people of color have been a very small part of my wealth management business—so small, in fact, that the phenomenon spurred me to discover if what I have experienced holds true across the country. I have come into contact with very educated and successful African American businesspeople, but the one consistent factor is that many of them lag behind in their saving and investing experiences. Read the complete article

Richard W. Lariviere's Statement to the Board of Higher Education

Ousted University of Oregon president says demand for fresh thinking is biggest issue

2011-11-29

Richard W. Lariviere

This past week has been extraordinary. I have been humbled and am grateful for the support from the faculty, students, and friends of the University of Oregon over the last week, indeed over the last two and half years. The purpose of today’s meeting is to resolve the question of my employment, but ultimately that matter is of little consequence. I want to use this opportunity to talk about Oregon’s higher education future. Read the complete article