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Lesbian Sergeant Discharged After Cops Tell Military

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 5:00 PM

by Yolanda Sangweni


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The military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy often takes an unexpected turn when third parties report a gay service members' sexual orientation, resulting in honorable discharge. Call it, "Don't Ask, We'll Tell" as was the case with African American Air Force sergeant Jene Newsome.

The 28-year-old Newsome had always hidden her sexual orientation until South Dakota police found a marriage certificate at her home and 'outed' her to the military, which responded by honorably discharging her. Newsome and the American Civil Liberties Union have now filed a complaint against the police department claiming a violation of privacy...

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Obama Watch

President Obama to Overhaul 'No Child Left Behind'

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 1:00 PM


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The Obama administration has called education the civil rights issue of our time. This weekend President Obama took one more step to make his promise for education reform a reality by announcing that he would submit a plan to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" policy.

In it's place would be the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which calls for states to focus on preparing "college-and-career ready" academic standards and evaluate teachers based on student performance. The new law would prepare students for careers and college rather than grade-level proficiency as "No Child Left Behind" currently requires...

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News

Trailblazing Lawmaker Juanita Goggins Dies at 75

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 12:15 PM

by Yolanda Sangweni


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In life the achievements of Juanita Goggins went unknown by most, except those ardent students of the civil rights movement. And in death her body went unnoticed for nearly two weeks by neighbors, family and friends. And yet the petite South Carolinian was a quiet hero of the civil rights movement who later became the first Black woman to serve on both the US civil rights commission and the South Carolina legislature.

Goggins, the daughter of former sharecroppers, was also instrumental in getting a law passed that is the foundation of the South Carolina's educational funding, helping to reduce class sizes...

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Hot Topics News

The Rise and Fall of Social Secretary Desiree Rogers

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 10:00 AM


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Desiree Rogers made the front page of the New York Times last week, in a profile on the rise and fall of the former White House Social Secretary, who stepped down from her position months after the now-infamous State Dinner party crashers incident.

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First Lady Diary

Michelle Obama Heading To Mexico Next Month

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 4:00 PM


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First Lady Michelle Obama heads to Mexico next month for her first solo official trip since President Obama took office.

She will visit Mexico City to build on a meeting she had with Mexican first lady Margarita Zavala de Calderon in February. On the agenda will be "issues of education and economic advancement of both countries." said an official White House statement.

Here's to us wishing the First Lady a fantastic trip and giving the people of Mexico a chance to understand firsthand why we adore her so.

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Hot Topics News

Black Woman Named High School Football Coach

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 1:24 PM


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In a historic moment for women in sports, Washington D.C. science teacher Natalie Randolph has been named head coach of the Calvin Coolidge Senior High School football team, reports CNN. Randolph is believed to be the first female head varsity coach in the country.

"While I'm proud to be part of what this all means," she said at a new conference this week. "Being female has nothing to do with it. I love football, I love teaching, I love these kids. My being female has nothing to do with my support and respect for my players on the field and in the classroom..."

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Hot Topics News

Walmart's Black Barbie Price Cut Reignites Doll Debate

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 10:30 AM

by Yolanda Sangweni


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A Walmart store in Louisiana caused a stir for selling a Black Barbie at half the price of White Barbies last week. The Black Barbie was $3 and the White, $5.93. A spokesperson for Walmart said the dolls weren't selling well, hence the price cut.

But sociologists and analysts are taking issue with the retailers sale and say it sends the wrong message about Blackness. "The implication of the lowering of the price is that's devaluing the Black doll," Thelma Dye of the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem told ABC News...

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Hot Topics News

Entire Chicago HS Graduating Class Going to College

Friday, March 12, 2010 - 4:20 PM


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All 107 students in the first graduating class of Chicago high school Urban Prep are heading to college. Founded in 2006, the all-male, all-African-American charter school in Englewood that emphasizes a uniform of embroidered blazers and ties, set out to improve its students odds of getting in to college and getting ahead.

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Hot Topics News

40 Women Who Have Influenced The World

Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 4:15 PM

by Jenisha Watts


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In honor of the 40th anniversary of ESSENCE magazine, Women's History Month, and this past Monday being International Women's Day, we present 40 women who have influenced the world.

Check out who made our list. Let us know who you would add below...

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Hot Topics News

White House, Here We Come: CBC Meeting on Jobs

Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 2:15 PM

by Cynthia Gordy


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President Obama is meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus again today, this time about jobs. And coming just after the passage of a jobs bill that failed to include any of the main proposals that African-American lawmakers advocated for, they will have plenty to talk about! Our Washington correspondent Cynthia Gordy, gives us all the latest updates in D.C.

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