Category Archive: News

1. Watch: President Obama’s Memorial Speech For Arizona Shooting Victims

   January 13, 2011 12:19 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Last night, President Obama delivered a moving speech at the memorial for the victims of the Arizona shooting, which took place last weekend. In the televised address called “We Thrive Together: Tuscon and America,” the President paid tribute to those who were killed (naming each of them: Phyllis Schneck, Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Dorwin Stoddard, Gabe Zimmerman, and Christina Taylor Green), spoke about the people who helped stop the tragedy from escalating, and challenged everyone watching to do better.

   “I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved lives here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.”

   Watch his address below. (more…)

2. Haiti One Year Later

   January 12, 2011 1:19 pm Leave a Comment

   

   One year ago today, on January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced one of the worst disasters in its troubled history when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the country to its core. Twenty three seconds of terror later, thousands were buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings, and even more, about 230,000 were killed.

   Homelessness, hunger, disease, and danger are what the people of Haiti experienced a year ago, both before and after the earthquake, and they are still struggling with these things today, despite the $1 billion in aide money raised by the international community. A lack of leadership in Haiti and the international organizations wishing to help has slowed aid efforts, and while there are many stories of victory and recovery throughout the country, there is still much to be done.

   Wyclef Jean called into The Breakfast Club radio show this morning from the ground in Haiti to give an update on what’s going on in the country, his Yele Haiti foundation, and what people can do to help now. Listen to what he had to say below. (more…)

3. News: Congresswoman, Many Others Shot And Critically Injured In Arizona

   January 8, 2011 4:39 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Earlier today, Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head outside of a grocery store where she, members of her staff, and many others were holding a constituent event. It is being reported that about 18 people, including Giffords, were shot in the attack, with one of her aides, Federal Judge John Roll, and a small child among the 6 who were killed. The gunman is said to be 22 year old Jared Lee Loughner; he is currently being held by police.

   Giffords is in critical condition after undergoing surgery, but doctors have said they are optimistic about her recovery. Last year, Giffords was one of the Congress members who was threatened and had her office vandalized because of her vote in favor of President Obama’s health care reform bill. She was also targeted by former Governor Sarah Palin, who marked Giffords on a US map with gun crosshairs.

   After receiving word of the Palin map and witnessing the violent political rhetoric of last year, Giffords stated:

   “I think it’s important for all leaders, not just leaders of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party … community leaders, figures in our community to say, ‘Look, we can’t stand for this.’ For example, we’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list, but the way she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gunsight over our district. And when people do that, they’ve gotta realize that there’s consequences to that action.”

   Deepest condolences to the families of those senselessly lost and injured today. Is this really what our country and its politics have come to? Does everyone need security now?

   Sources: CNN, MSNBC, Huffington Post

4. Obama Voted Most Admirable Man In World, Puts In A Call For Michael Vick

   December 30, 2010 1:36 pm Leave a Comment

   

   For the third year in a row, President Barack Obama has been named the most admirable man in the world, according to a USA Today Gallup poll. Obama has held the title since his election in 2008, leading with 22% of votes while Presidents George Bush had 5% of the votes and Bill Clinton held 4%.

   In other Obama news, the President recently made a call to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to thank the organization for giving quarterback Michael Vick a second chance. (more…)

5. News: Health Reform Law Ruled Unconstitutional

   December 13, 2010 4:02 pm Leave a Comment

   A federal judge ruled today that part of President Obama‘s health care reform law was unconstitutional. According to CNN:

   U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson struck down the “individual mandate” requiring most Americans to purchase health insurance by 2014. The Justice Department is expected to challenge the judge’s findings in a federal appeals court.

   Hudson’s opinion contradicts other court rulings finding the mandate constitutionally permissible.

   “An individual’s personal decision to purchase — or decline purchase — (of) health insurance from a private provider is beyond the historical reach of the U.S. Constitution,” Hudson wrote. “No specifically constitutional authority exists to mandate the purchase of health insurance.”

   Republicans in Congress are considering the ruling as a victory and evidence of their original opposition to the law, but the White House has said the decision will have little impact on how the law is put into place. Watch the interview above, with White House Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann Deparle, for a break down of the situation.

6. What Does HIV Mean To Hip Hop?

   December 1, 2010 4:04 pm Leave a Comment

   

   International HIV activist Hydeia Broadbent reminds us, in her WEEN blog post, how the disease is directly affecting our community. Hydeia was born with HIV and has used her story to educate others about HIV/AIDS. Read what she has to say below.

   What does HIV mean to hip hop?

   Since HIV is hitting the African American community the hardest it should mean a lot.

   While HIV is not something that just affects African American, and Hip Hop is not something just black people enjoy or support, we can’t ignore the facts.

   Just like Hip Hop runs through the blood of our inner cities, so does HIV.

   Like Hip Hop, the fight against AIDS has been watered down. We are complacent with the medical advancements made just as Hip Hop is complacent with its commercial success.

   Hip Hop’s lyrical content seems to be only about sex, popping bottles, and clothes. It has forgotten how to make people think. Today’s Hip Hop reflects a void of understanding within our community.

   When it comes to AIDS in the African American community we have chosen to turn a blind eye and not talk about it. It makes us comfortable to ignore the subject.

   The fact is our community is being hit the hardest. How can we remain silent any longer?

   What happened to the Hip Hop campaigns in the early 1990s that told us to “Rap It Up?” Maybe some people are happy that we, as a community, have not learned how to work together in fighting HIV/AIDS or learned how to educate our brothers and sisters on safe sex. A line that replays in my head from Nas’ song “If I ruled the World” exclaims, “It’s elementary, they want us all gone eventually.” (more…)

7. World AIDS Day: There Is No Comfort In Silence

   10:09 am Leave a Comment

   Today is a day to think outside of yourself and about the millions of people around the world who suffer from the affects of HIV/AIDS. There are currently 33.3 million people who are living wit HIV/AIDS and even more who have lost loved ones to the illness. Use this year’s World AIDS Day to raise awareness, remember those who have passed, and celebrate the advances in treatment in this fight against the disease. And as always, take the time to educate yourself, not only about AIDS but about your status. Know your status. Get tested and get treated.

   In the above video, Talib Kweli and Bassey Ikpi come together for a PSA entitled “There Is No Comfort In Silence.” Speak up.

8. News: President Obama’s Address On The End Of Combat In Iraq

   September 1, 2010 10:16 am Leave a Comment

   President Barack Obama made his second Oval Office address last night. In the somewhat somber message, the President declared that it was the end of the combat mission in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and that the United States would begin withdrawing a majority of its troops while about 50,000 would remain to protect Iraqi and American citizens still in the country.

   The President called this new form of action Operation New Dawn, which would hand over responsibility back to the people of Iraq, a move that he stated is in the best interest for Iraq and the United States. Watch President Obama’s address in full above.

9. News: Wyclef’s Statement On Denied Haiti Presidency Bid

   August 21, 2010 11:37 am Leave a Comment

   

   Wyclef Jean released the following statement concerning his disqualification from the running to become Haiti’s next president:

   It is with a heavy heart that I tell you today that the board of elections in Haiti has disqualified me from my run for the presidency of the country. Though I disagree with the ruling, I respectfully accept the committee’s final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same. We must all honor the memories of those we’ve lost–whether in the earthquake, or at anytime–by responding peacefully and responsibly to this disappointment.

   I was inspired to run for president because I know Haiti can become great with the right leadership, and I believe I could be that leader; but, ultimately, we must respect the rule of law in order for our island to become the great nation we all aspire for it to be. (more…)

10. News: Missionaries Charged In Haiti

    February 5, 2010 7:43 am Leave a Comment

    

    The American missionaries who were held on suspicion of attempting to take 33 Haitian children whose families were devastated by the January 12th earthquake, have been charged with kidnapping. The 10 Americans claim they were trying to help the children leave the country. Obviously, Haiti thinks much differently; because they are being charged with kidnapping, the missionaries are not eligible for bail. They could be held for up to 3 months while the judge in the case decides whether or not to prosecute them.

    Source: CNN, Reuters