All articles tagged with #african americans
In Virginia’s referendum on redrawing its congressional map, a GOP-aligned group runs ads using Klansmen imagery to warn Black voters, while others claim that quotes attributed to Barack Obama and to Gov. Abigail Spanberger are being used to sway turnout. Civil rights groups and Democrats say the tactics amount to disinformation meant to suppress votes in a high-stakes, nationwide contest over control of the U.S. House.
A large-scale study of brain tissue from African Americans with Alzheimer's disease identified significant genetic signals, notably an increased expression of the ADAMTS2 gene, which is also linked to Alzheimer's in White populations, suggesting shared biological mechanisms across races.
California introduces a series of reparations bills, making it the first state to do so, aimed at providing restitution to descendants of slaves and African Americans affected by segregation and racist policies. The legislative package includes measures on education, civil rights, and criminal justice, but controversial cash payments to descendants of slaves were not included. The bills still need to be decided on by state lawmakers before becoming law.
A monument has been unveiled at the Gallatin City Cemetery in Tennessee to honor the more than 500 African Americans buried in unmarked graves. The cemetery, established in 1814, was segregated, and many Black residents were buried in the back. The monument was made possible through a donation from Volunteer State Bank and the use of ground penetrating radar to locate the graves. The Friends of the Gallatin City Cemetery, a group dedicated to maintaining the cemetery, organized the unveiling and continue to raise funds for preservation efforts.
The Washington National Cathedral has replaced four windows honoring Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson with new stained-glass windows depicting a march for racial justice by African Americans. The old windows were removed due to their association with recent racist violence. The dedication service was attended by clergy from historically Black churches and leaders of social justice organizations. The new windows, titled "Now and Forever," were designed by artist Kerry James Marshall and show African Americans marching for justice. The cathedral aims to address the legacy of racism and the use of monuments to glorify the Confederacy.
Akon, the musician and businessman, believes that if African Americans fully invest in Africa, every single African American would become a millionaire. He sees Africa as the "holy grail" for freedom and generational wealth, emphasizing that the continent has a high demand for various resources. Akon also discussed the progress of his $6 billion project, Akon City, which aims to create a futuristic pan-African city in Senegal. Despite facing complications, he remains committed to the 10-year plan and believes that the city will serve as a model for future development in Africa.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed a bill making Juneteenth National Freedom Day a state holiday starting next year. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. The holiday has been observed in Rhode Island since 2012, but not as a full holiday. Activists suggest supporting Black-owned businesses or visiting African-American museums and historical sites to honor Juneteenth.
A group of African American academics, led by Howard University professor Justin Hansford, is pushing for a UN tribunal to make the US pay $5 million to black citizens for slavery-era abuses. The effort underscores how reparation payouts are unpopular among white American taxpayers and have little chance of becoming federal law, leaving advocates scrambling for a workaround. The US mission to the UN does not officially support the tribunal, but Hansford said US diplomats at the mission had been "supportive overall." Critics say reparations cost too much, are unfair, and will sow divisions between winners and losers.
The Chicago City Council has approved $51 million in funding to deal with the migrant crisis, which has stretched city resources to the limit and exacerbated longstanding political tensions between Blacks and Hispanics. The vote was divided, with 34 in favor and 13 against. The funding will only carry Chicago through June 30, after which tougher choices will have to be made. The debate was racially charged, with Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) in tears as she spoke about the needs of African Americans being ignored.
President Joe Biden has nominated Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the first African American to hold the position. Brown, a career F-16 fighter pilot with deep knowledge of China, has been involved in modernizing the U.S. fleet of aircraft and its nuclear arsenal, as well as equipping Ukraine with U.S. weaponry. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace Army Gen. Mark Milley as the nation’s top military officer.
President Joe Biden has nominated Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the first African American to hold the position. Brown, a career F-16 fighter pilot with deep knowledge of China, has been widely viewed as the frontrunner to replace Army Gen. Mark Milley. If confirmed by the Senate, both the Pentagon’s top military and civilian positions would be held by African Americans for the first time. Brown has broken barriers throughout his career, including serving as the military’s first Black Pacific Air Forces commander and the first Black Air Force chief of staff.
Black Californians hope that the state's reparations task force recommendations, which include payments to descendants of enslaved people and a formal apology from the state, will be turned into concrete legislation. However, there is pushback from opponents who say slavery was a thing of the past. The task force did not recommend specific payment amounts but estimates from economists say that the state is responsible for more than $500 billion due to decades of overpolicing, mass incarceration, and redlining that kept Black families from buying homes in appreciating neighborhoods.
California Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford, who served on the California Reparations Task Force, warned African Americans not to expect massive reparations payments from the state, despite the task force recommending up to $1.2 million in payments to eligible Black residents. Bradford claimed that receiving million dollar checks in repayment for historical discrimination is "not happening" and urged residents to be "realistic" about what actual payments may be. The task force also recommended that the state apologize to Black residents.
California Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford, who served on the California Reparations Task Force, warned African Americans not to expect million-dollar payouts from the state for historical discrimination. The task force recommended that the state pay up to $1.2 million in reparations to each eligible Black resident. Bradford said that while cash payments are possible, receiving seven-figure checks is "just not happening" as the state has not figured out where the money would come from. The task force also recommended that the state apologize to Black residents.
The PGA Works Collegiate Championship was held at Shoal Creek Golf Club, where in 1990, founder Hall Thompson's comments about not allowing black members caused a national controversy. The club relented and made Louis J. Willie, a Black Birmingham businessman, an honorary member. Now, Shoal Creek has become a symbol of diversity and acceptance, with Black business leaders, executives, and pro athletes breaking into memberships at elite private golf clubs. Howard University won the Division I championship, and the goal is to make the NCAA regionals and compete for the national championship.