The Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Reader

04-24-2024 5:10 pm • PDX and SEA Weather

Portland and Seattle
Free Subscription to Breaking News

U.S. Coast Guard Promotes First Black Female Admiral

Merchant said she initially joined the Coast Guard with the intention of financing her medical school education. Read More
The Drug War Devastated Black and Other Minority Communities. Is Marijuana Legalization Helping?

A major argument for legalizing the adult use of cannabis after 75 years of prohibition was to stop the harm caused by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws in Black, Latino and other minority communities. But efforts to help those most affected participate in the newly legal sector have been halting. Read More
Lessons for Cities from Seattle’s Racial and Social Justice Law

Seattle is marking the first anniversary of its landmark Race and Social Justice Initiative ordinance. Signed into law in April 2023, the ordinance highlights race and racism because of the pervasive inequities experienced by people of color Read More
Supreme Court to Weigh Bans on Sleeping Outdoors

The Supreme Court will consider whether banning homeless people from sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to cruel and unusual punishment on Monday. The case is considered the most significant to come before the high court in decades on homelessness, which is reaching record levels In California and other Western states. Courts have ruled that it’s unconstitutional to fine and arrest people sleeping in homeless encampments if shelter… Read More

NORTHWEST NEWS

A Conservative Quest to Limit Diversity Programs Gains Momentum in States

In support of DEI, Oregon and Washington have forged ahead with legislation to expand their emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in government and education.

Epiphanny Prince Hired by Liberty in Front Office Job Day After Retiring

A day after announcing her retirement, Epiphanny Prince has a new job working with the New York Liberty as director of player and community engagement. Prince will serve on the basketball operations and business staffs, bringing her 14 years of WNBA experience to the franchise.

The Drug War Devastated Black and Other Minority Communities. Is Marijuana Legalization Helping?

A major argument for legalizing the adult use of cannabis after 75 years of prohibition was to stop the harm caused by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws in Black, Latino and other minority communities. But efforts to help those most affected participate in the newly legal sector have been halting.

Lessons for Cities from Seattle’s Racial and Social Justice Law

Seattle is marking the first anniversary of its landmark Race and Social Justice Initiative ordinance. Signed into law in April 2023, the ordinance highlights race and racism because of the pervasive inequities experienced by people of color

NEWS BRIEFS

Hundreds Gather at White House to Demand President Biden Let Youth Climate Case be Heard

‘We will not be silenced’ by the DOJ,' youth say ...

Mt. Tabor Park Selected for National Initiative

Mt. Tabor Park is the only Oregon park and one of just 24 nationally to receive honor. ...

OHCS, BuildUp Oregon Launch Program to Expand Early Childhood Education Access Statewide

Funds include million for developing early care and education facilities co-located with affordable housing. ...

Governor Kotek Announces Chief of Staff, New Office Leadership

Governor expands executive team and names new Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director ...

Governor Kotek Announces Investment in New CHIPS Child Care Fund

5 Million dollars from Oregon CHIPS Act to be allocated to new Child Care Fund ...

Wyoming governor vetoes bill to allow concealed carry in public schools and meetings

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed guns in public schools and government meetings. In his veto letter Friday night, Gordon said he had concerns the bill would exceed the separation of powers...

With all the recent headlines about panels and tires falling off planes, is flying safe?

DALLAS (AP) — It has been 15 years since the last fatal crash of a U.S. airliner, but you would never know that by reading about a torrent of flight problems in the last three months. There was a time when things like cracked windshields and minor engine problems didn't turn up very...

OPINION

Op-Ed: Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities

NNPA NEWSWIRE – MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. From restrictive voter ID laws to purging voter rolls to limiting early voting hours, these...

Loving and Embracing the Differences in Our Youngest Learners

Yet our responsibility to all parents and society at large means we must do more to share insights, especially with underserved and under-resourced communities. ...

Gallup Finds Black Generational Divide on Affirmative Action

Each spring, many aspiring students and their families begin receiving college acceptance letters and offers of financial aid packages. This year’s college decisions will add yet another consideration: the effects of a 2023 Supreme Court, 6-3 ruling that...

OP-ED: Embracing Black Men’s Voices: Rebuilding Trust and Unity in the Democratic Party

The decision of many Black men to disengage from the Democratic Party is rooted in a complex interplay of historical disenchantment, unmet promises, and a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment. ...

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NEWS

Movie Review: In ‘Girls State,’ Missouri teens start a mock government

What would an all-female government look like in the U.S.? Or even a majority female government? It’s something that remains a fantasy. But for the ambitious high school students in the Girls State program, given the spotlight in a new documentary arriving on Apple TV+ Friday, it’s something...

Movie Review: Love wins in the triumphant 'Housekeeping for Beginners'

“Housekeeping for Beginners” begins with a shot of a painting on a wall hanging just a little askew. It's an apt metaphor for what's in store. Writer and director Goran Stolevski gives us an atypical family portrait that's brilliantly political without being preachy, loving...

French rugby hit by racism after women's team is targeted by opposing players during a match

The insults descending from the stands were vicious, rude and racist, but not unusual. “Go back home!” What was more unusual was when they came from the players on the other team. “I've got the African in check.” “Filthy Black." ...

ENTERTAINMENT

Music Review: Jazz pianist Fred Hersch creates subdued, lovely colors on 'Silent, Listening'

Jazz pianist Fred Hersch fully embraces the freedom that comes with improvisation on his solo album “Silent, Listening,” spontaneously composing and performing tunes that are often without melody, meter or form. Listening to them can be challenging and rewarding. The many-time...

Book Review: 'Nothing But the Bones' is a compelling noir novel at a breakneck pace

Nelson “Nails” McKenna isn’t very bright, stumbles over his words and often says what he’s thinking without realizing it. We first meet him as a boy reading a superhero comic on the banks of a river in his backcountry hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia....

Cardi B, Queen Latifah and The Roots to headline the BET Experience concerts in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cardi B, Queen Latifah and The Roots will headline concerts to celebrate the return of the BET Experience in Los Angeles just days before the 2024 BET Awards. BET announced Monday the star-studded lineup of the concert series, which makes a return after a...

Mary J. Blige, ATCQ, & Dionne Warwick Among 2024 Rock Hall of Fame Inductees

Angel Jackson Makes History as Second HBCU Player to Be Drafted in 20 Years

Elaine Welteroth and Serena Williams Launch birthFUND to Support Maternal Health

National Geographic Honors WW2 Soldiers of Color With Two New Specials

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

President Biden Signs Legislation Banning TikTok

The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA) Will Hurt African American and Other Minority Owned Newspapers

U.S. Coast Guard Promotes First Black Female Admiral

America’s Child Care Crisis Is Holding Back Moms Without College Degrees

Nikola Jokic leads NBA champ Denver Nuggets past LeBron James and Lakers 114-103 in playoff opener

DENVER (AP) — Unlike their crowd that drowned out the Los Angeles Lakers' pregame introductions, the defending...

Will there be a 'superbloom' this year in California? Here's what to know

Carpets of yellow, orange and gold flowers are beginning to cover Southern California's vast deserts, the Bay...

Biden sees a price cap for insulin as a pivotal campaign issue. It’s not that clear-cut

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rarely a day goes without President Joe Biden mentioning insulin prices. He...

UK lawmaker won't run again after allegations of late night call for funds to pay off 'bad people'

LONDON (AP) — A British lawmaker who allegedly used campaign funds to pay off people who were holding him...

Residents of four Serb-majority municipalities boycott vote on removing ethnic Albanian mayors

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Residents of four Serb-majority municipalities on Sunday overwhelmingly boycotted a vote...

Ecuadorians head to polls to toughen fight against gangs behind wave of violence

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorians headed to the polls Sunday in a referendum touted by the country's fledgling...

The Skanner News

The Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Reader collects over three decades of writing on race, literature, culture, history and music into one compendium. From his start as a scholar tracing the beginning of African American literature to his current work tracing human beginnings-genealogies and family trees-the focus of Gates' work has remained steady.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the author of sixteen books and has made twelve documentaries. He is the recipient of fifty-one honorary degrees.

The Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Reader.

Order a copy from The Skanner aStore: Books, Movies and Music