Tag Archives: black people

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Occupy Black America …The Black Institute

10/20/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Black celebrities such as Kanye West, Russell Simmons and Danny Glover have publicly supported the Occupy movement, but even with such an endorsement, Black people have had relatively low attendance. Some believe this is in part because when Black people turn on their televisions or search the web, they look out into the crowd and see mostly white faces. This gives Black Americans the sense that the protests are not about them. However, someone must take the first step. If Black people want to see themselves in the movement, Black people have to put themselves in the movement.

In this week’s blog we explore the role of black america in the occupy movement.
Read it and tell us what you think.

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Essence Features TBI President Bertha Lewis …The Black Institute

09/22/2011 Nativegrl77

Exciting News! Our President, Bertha Lewis is featured in the October issue of Essence Magazine. She is on the list of 28 most influential Black women and is said to be “perhapsthe most influential community organizer of our time.” Pickup a copy of Essence to take a look at the entire feature.

Donate today to the work we are doing at The Black Institute as we build our Leadership Training Center program which will include community organizing training.

TheBlack Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

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DOJ fights AT&T merger – but our fight’s not over …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org

09/05/2011 Nativegrl77

An exciting new ally joined the fight to stop AT&T’s dangerous merger with T-Mobile: the United Stated Department of Justice. Arguing that the merger would crush competition and lead to higher prices, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in Federal court to block the merger, dealing it a major blow.1

This is an important victory in our fight to protect the ability of poor folks and communities of color to use the Internet to make a better life for themselves. If AT&T were allowed to purchase T-Mobile, it would have a terrible impact on jobs, affordability, and Internet freedom.

Instead, the case will take months to wind its way through the court system. And the Federal Communications Commission, which also has authority over the proposed deal, has publicly indicated its own deep misgivings.2 None of this could have happened without the massive public outcry from ColorOfChange members, and our friends and allies. Thank you.

This fight isn’t over yet. We can’t predict how the lawsuit will turn out, and it’s important that we remain vigilant. AT&T is expected to fight the DOJ’s decision tooth and nail, and it remains possible that the DOJ and AT&T could hammer out a deal that leads the DOJ to drop its opposition. And 76 Democratic members of Congress are still on record supporting the deal. It’s critical that we continue to expose their false arguments in support of the merger and keep pushing them to withdraw their support.

AT&T has spent millions on lobbying and PR to advance its agenda, and it will continue to use its vast resources to twist the facts and mislead the public. Our work is powered by you, our members, and we need your support to keep fighting back. Your voice has been a powerful force in this fight. If you can also support our work financially, in any amount, please click the link below:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

We’ll

be sure keep you up to date with any new opportunities to take action. At ColorOfChange, we will continue to stand up for everyone’s right to access a free and open Internet, and we hope you will continue to be there with us.

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 2nd, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References:

1. “U.S. sues to block AT&T buying T-Mobile,” MarketWatch, 8-31-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/952?akid=2150.1174326.zFs-xm&t=4

. “FCC Still Reviewing AT&T’s T-Mobile Deal After Justice’s Antitrust Action,” Bloomberg, 8-31-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/953?akid=2150.1174326.zFs-xm&t=6

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“The unemployed need not apply” …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org

08/26/2011 Nativegrl77

It’s hard enough to be unemployed — but there’s a growing problem with companies that refuse to hire people who don’t already have a job. With unemployment at 9%, this kind of discrimination affects a huge number of people. And it hits Black communities particularly hard, as more than 15% of African Americans are unemployed.1

Our friends at USAction launched a campaign asking job listing websites like Monster.com to ban ads that discriminate against the unemployed.2 But not only did Monster.com refuse to ban these ads — they actually threatened legal action against USAction for raising the issue.3 Other job listing websites have been completely silent. It’s outrageous.

Monster.com needs to hear our voices now. Please join us in calling on Monster.com and other job listing websites to stop publishing ads which discriminate against the unemployed. It takes just a moment:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/monster

At a time when more than 9% of Americans are out of work, during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, no one should have to have a job in order to get a job. This type of discrimination hurts everyone who’s looking for work. But Black people are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as White folks. And Latinos are also unemployed at a higher rate than Whites.4 Whether it’s intended or not, discrimination against the unemployed is discrimination against Black and Latino Americans.

Democrats in the House and Senate are crafting legislation that would make this kind of discrimination illegal. We’ll keep an eye on that legislation and let you know how you can help get it passed.

But right now, without any law to prevent discrimination against the unemployed, job listing websites could do more than anyone else to stop this practice. These companies are supposed to be in the business of helping people find jobs. But by continuing to publish help wanted ads that say “you must be currently employed to apply,” they’re enabling a practice which makes it even harder to recover for the people who are struggling the hardest in this economy.

Monster.com has said that they’re against discrimination against the unemployed5 — but they’re refusing to stop publishing these ads, saying that they’ll leave it up to individual companies to decide what to do.6 Monster.com wants to have it both ways — they think they can pay lip service to opposing this practice, while continuing to make money off of the companies that engage in it. It’s selfish and irresponsible.

We can help by joining the more than 60,000 people who have already called for Monster.com and other job listing sites to stop discrimination against the unemployed. If enough of us speak out, we can create negative media attention that will make easier for Monster.com to do the right thing than to continue profiting from job listings that discriminate.

Please join us in demanding that Monster.com and other job listing companies stop publishing ads that discriminate against the unemployed:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/monster

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 25th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics News Release, 8-5-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/946?akid=2133.1174326.5MUP6T&t=7

2. “Stop Discrimination Against Unemployed Workers,” USAction
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/947?akid=2133.1174326.5MUP6T&t=9

3. “Monster.com Says It Won’t Ban Third-Party Ads That Discourage Job Applications From The Unemployed,” Huffington Post, 8-12-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/948?akid=2133.1174326.5MUP6T&t=11

4. See reference 1.

5. “Updated: Monster Speaks Out Against Employment Discrimination,” 8-8-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/949?akid=2133.1174326.5MUP6T&t=13

6. See reference 3.

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TGIF … Call the Whitehouse 202-456-1111 …Tell President Obama to go big bold and bad

08/19/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

just another rant …

In my effort to blow off steam, push back, and voice my opinion…

I hope all of us on the left… democrats, libs and progressives will continue to support President Obama we also need him to know we have his back and hope that our President Obama go big bold and badass. … Bring it to the People

What has our President done for you?

I will remind you President Obama among other things got and injected our economy with a 787billion dollar stimulus package even with all the Teapublican obstacles. The stimulus worked; he also implemented the fair pay act, chips, stopped the 8yr ban on stem cell research/treatment, implemented better fuel regulation for trucks , Sonia Sotomayor, 1^st Latina was nominated and voted into the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan also voted onto the Supreme Court, got rid of osama, offered a historic health-care bill that passed, reforming immigration. Hey, for a more in depth list and analysis of President Obama’s first two years go to http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2010/1104_obama_galston.aspx

The facts are right in front of our faces and yes, the last 2yrs have been better than it feels…

I believe in President Obama and his abilities but there is clearly a wall put up against any changes or moves the President has been trying to make for ALL Americans contrary to what and how the Teapublicans want or will govern. We must never forget Rep.Mcconnell’s statement that his job is to make him a one-term president. Now, we have people in Congress doing and saying things about our First President of Colour and it should serve as a reminder of just how the Teapublicans really feel about him and this attitude and behavior is the dark cloud that Presidential candidate Rick Perry spoke of only the cloud is racism. I don’t know about you but a true friend would not say let alone feel that his friend is less than because of the colour of his skin. It was a sad day to hear the words coming from Sen. Tom Coburn. There is definitely a difference in running for office and governing as Congress, The banks, Wall Street have all shown us they want their piece thus making the road to change a journey of bumps. Our President has said time and time again, he cannot do the work by himself,” We the People,” need to unite in solidarity to push back at Corporate America, because they definitely are not cooperating, we must push our Democratic Legislators, Representatives and our Congress, who are not acting as if we are in the majority. We all know the Administration needs to call for regulation of the banks…Wall Street and AIG types who seem corrupt. We need to demand that the Administration and Congress work and vote for climate change, education and true innovation so America can become a leader once again, the base voted for change we can all believe in, not for what will NOT ruffle some. President Obama needs to know that the base wants bold changes that include Energy and Climate Change, Education, Immigration reform, Bank regulations. Only move forward not what is easy because the fight is on and it is to save the middle class. That Sir takes a lean to the left … a hard left Sir.

We the People need to start speaking out against key nominations held up by Republicans. It is absurd, offensive, reckless and should show voters just how desperate Republicans are to bring President Obama down when both parties should be working together to solve problems instead of playing politics when our American economy and or safety is fragile is beyond me.

Time to forget bipartisanship because it ain’t there anymore

Other News …

Reuters