Politics
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Hey, Cam Newton, All Quarterbacks Matter, Except When They Don’t
As we were all mesmerized by the Alpha Kappa Alpha-inspired outfit Cam Newton wore Sunday, I have to admit that I missed the delicious irony of Newton talking about feeling unprotected on the football field. My fraternity brother Bryan Kelly noted that as Newton talked about his unfair treatment, and how he felt that he…
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Colin Kaepernick Creates 'Know Your Rights Camp' to Empower Youths
The San Francisco 49ers had a bye week this weekend, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick used his free time to host an event in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday for hundreds of black and Latino kids from California’s Bay Area titled, #KnowYourRightsOakland. According to its website, Know Your Rights Camp is “a free campaign for youth to raise…
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Father of Alfred Olango, Man Killed by Police, Creates Police-Reform Foundation
The father of a California man who was killed last month by El Cajon, Calif., police announced over the weekend that he has created a foundation for police reform, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Richard Olango announced Saturday that San Diego would be the headquarters of the Alfred Olango Justice and Unity Foundation, “for the whole…
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Mass. Cop’s Wife Fakes Home Robbery, Blames BLM
The wife of a Millbury, Mass., police officer is accused of faking a robbery and vandalizing the couple’s own home with “Black Lives Matter,” graffiti, CBS Boston reports. On Oct. 17, Maria Daly reported a burglary at her home, saying that jewelry and money had been stolen. She also reportedly said that her house was…
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Erica Garner Slams Clinton Campaign Over WikiLeaks Emails About Using Her Father’s Death
The daughter of Eric Garner slammed Hillary Clinton’s campaign Thursday after WikiLeaks released email conversations showing that the campaign discussed using her father’s death to protest gun violence, CNN reports. “I’m troubled by the revelation that you and this campaign actually discussed ‘using’ Eric Garner … Why would you want to ‘use’ my dad?” Erica…
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Chicago Cop Who Quit After Fatally Shooting Rekia Boyd Seeks Disability Pay
A Chicago police detective who quit his job just days before a Chicago Police Board hearing would have determined whether he would be fired for the 2012 shooting death of 22-year-old Rekia Boyd is now seeking disability pay, the Chicago Tribune reports. According to the report, former Chicago Police Detective Dante Servin is demanding disability pay…
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Another White Student Posts Photos in Blackface on Social Media
Another day, another white college student caught in blackface on social media. The latest incident has sparked student body and community outrage at Xavier University in Cincinnati, after the image of a white female student in blackface went viral, Raw Story reports. The caption under the problematic Snapchat photo read, “Who needs white when black…
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Justice Department Replaces NYC Team Investigating Eric Garner's Death
The Department of Justice has overhauled the Eric Garner investigative team, replacing the New York team of agents and lawyers looking into his 2014 death, the New York Times reports. The move, which the Times describes as a “highly unusual shake-up,” could put some steam into the long-stalled case and possibly put the department back on…
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Finding the Power in Black Voices
This traumatic election year has brought America’s long-standing violence toward black people to the fore. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s explicit racism—and the thousands of people who want to give him the highest seat in the land—boldly underscores America’s investment in white supremacy and oppression. Things could get worse. But I also have to hope…
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Forget the Protests; the NFL's Real Black Eye Is and Always Has Been Domestic Violence
New York Giants kicker Josh Brown is a woman-beater. Full stop. He’s not paid to beat women. He’s paid to kick a football. The former has not affected the latter. The New York Giants still employ Brown even though they know Brown is a woman-beater. It isn’t a secret because Brown admitted to being an…