Everyone’s history is important. Yet, the history of African Americans has often been left out of the history books or revised to reflect a half truth or no truth. Avoiceonline.org will preserve the legacy of the Congressional Black Caucus and their role in the shaping of political and legislative participation in the United States. AVoiceonline is the Congressional Black Caucus’ virtual online library in partnership with Dell and Howard University. There has been a recent trend towards revising history known as revisionism. In the history of African Americans, revisionism is nothing new. Often, African Americans were left out of history. In earlier history books, mention was rarely made of anyone black other than Frederick Douglas and perhaps, one other black figure. And if blacks are not careful, they will be written out of history again. As a modern example, the history of the black slaves who built the Capitol would have been left out of the newly built Capitol Visitor’s … [Read more...] about Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Honors Supporters of Avoice
Archives for February 2011
NARAL Pro-Choice America Fights Republicans on Abortion
A little over a month ago, Republican House speaker John Boehner took control over the most anti pro-choice Congress that we have seen in decades. The 2010 elections focused on economic anxiety. Instead of the Republican Congress being focused on a jobs agenda, they have instead focused on an extreme anti-choice agenda. They have gone from trying to re-define rape to allowing hospitals to refuse abortion care to women who will die without it. So the Republican candidates who campaigned on jobs and keeping government smaller are failing to live up to their promise. In this anti pro-choice climate, NARAL Pro-Choice America held a luncheon program marking the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on February 10, 2011, in Washington, DC. The themes were protecting the future of reproductive rights for the next generation and building on consensus coalitions to achieve it. The program included actress Felicity Huffman of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, as the mistress of ceremonies and … [Read more...] about NARAL Pro-Choice America Fights Republicans on Abortion
When Are The Jobs Coming?
Immediately after the midterm election, President Obama acknowledged that he got it. The “it” was Americans want jobs. Nearly everyone knows someone out of work. And everyone knows someone earning less than they should due to the economy. President Obama spoke in his State of the Union address about long term economic solutions. On February 8, 2011, at a meeting with National Policy Alliance (NPA) leaders, Obama also spoke about cutting community development grants and community action programs which help minorities and underserved communities in the area of housing and jobs. Reports show that overall unemployment dropped to 9%. Black unemployment still soars at 15.7%. House Republicans took over as majority congressional leaders in January. Since their takeover of the House in January, they have done everything but focus on jobs. In the first month, the Republican majority focused on repealing healthcare reform which went on the train to nowhere. They focused on limiting … [Read more...] about When Are The Jobs Coming?
Black History Month: Why We Still Need it
February is Black History Month. It started in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson as Negro History week. In 1976, it became Black History month. And in 2011, some wonder why we still celebrate it. After all, we have our first African American president, our first African American attorney general, the third highest ranking congressional Democrat is an African American and the former chairman of the Republican National Committee is African American. Many argue that we are now living in a post racial society. So why do we celebrate Black History month? Recently, at the opening of the African American history exhibit “America I Am “ in Washington, DC, Susan Norton, Director of the National Geographic Museum, said African American history is “world history, national history and local history”. That’s one reason why we celebrate Black History month. Just as we celebrate Women’s history in March, we celebrate and embrace Black History month. We celebrate the good, the bad, the … [Read more...] about Black History Month: Why We Still Need it