Category: National News

WASHINGTON (November 4, 2010) – A somber President Obama took the podium on the State Floor of the White House on Nov. 3 to discuss the election nightmare Democrats face in the wake of the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives. The press conference lacked the charm and clever rhetoric the president has displayed […]

A new set of rules that will strengthen federal student aid programs at for-profit, non-profit, and public institutions is being met with approval by student and education advocates, though some question the rules’ necessity. Announced by the White House on Oct. 28, the broad new regulations came after an 18-month negotiation process with the higher […]

A few years ago, the most controversial energy drink in the Black community was Pimp Juice, a product manufactured by rap artist Nelly. Regardless of the contents, the product’s name was too negative for its critics. Black leaders went on the attack and Pimp Juice quickly phased out after the hype. Another questionable energy drink […]

With 14 Black Republicans running for voting seats in the House–and a Black GOP candidate for a non-voting seat representing the U.S. Virgin Islands– the stage is set for the Republican Party’s attempt to place a record number of African-Americans in Congress. Facing little opposition in his home state of South Carolina, Tim Scott appears […]

Promises by House Republicans to overturn health care reform measures passed earlier this year would disproportionately affect the Black community, according to one prominent health care expert. One central proposal of the current Republican agenda, called the “Pledge to America,” would repeal the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health care reform bill passed […]

French perfume designer Jean-Paul Guerlain’s use of the “n-word” during a recent interview on French state TV sparked an outcry from anti-racist groups, capped by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s announcement of plans to travel to Paris to speak to the groups in November. “The fact that Jean-Paul Guerlain felt comfortable enough to use the ‘n-word’ […]

National Public Radio’s chief executive said, Oct. 24, that while she could have handled the Juan Williams’ termination better, she does not regret the decision. “While we stand firmly behind that decision, I regret that we did not take the time to better prepare our messaging and to provide you with the tools to cope […]

A fourth-grade textbook given to students in Virginia is causing controversy for its claim that thousands of African-Americans fought for the South in the Civil War, The Washington Post reported. The book, entitled “Our Virginia: Past and Present,” has been criticized for a passage about Blacks fighting for the South by individuals who argue that […]

Nineteen years after Anita Hill accused her former boss at Equal Employment Opportunity, now-Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, of making sexual comments, she received what appeared to be a mysterious voicemail allegedly from Thomas’ wife rekindling the incident. “Good morning Anita Hill, it’s Ginny Thomas,” the Oct. 9 message said, according to ABC News. […]

Disgruntled New York City resident Jimmy McMillan stole the show at a debate for the state’s gubernatorial candidates on Oct. 18 as he introduced himself and his self-created political “Rent is Too Damn High” party to the public. “This is politics as usual. Playing the silly game is not going to happen,” McMillan said during […]

After an appearance on Fox News’ the O’Reilly Factor on Oct.20, National Public Radio’s Senior News Analyst Juan Williams was fired from the company after claiming that Muslims make him “nervous” and “worried” on planes. Williams’ comments came after the show’s host Bill O’Reilly asked if the U.S. was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” “Look Bill, […]

NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous received two honors recently as he was named one of Time magazine’s “40 Under 40 Rising Stars of U.S. Politics” and one of the “Top 50 people of Power and Influence” by The NonProfit Times. “The NAACP congratulates President Benjamin Todd Jealous on making the Time magazine ‘40 Under […]