Today marks Women’s Equality Day—the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote. Women have come a long way since the early days of women’s suffrage which ultimately led to the passage of the 19th amendment- granting women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26, marking the day women received the right to vote in 1920, a move has been affront for the past several years to disenfranchise women. Whether indirectly or directly, the result of many new voter ID laws may be the same. Voter ID laws enacted now in over half the states, requiring voters to present some form of identification as a requirement to vote place unreasonable burdens on many women when casting their vote. States requiring voters to register with proof of citizenship is more problematic for women than for men. A survey by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU law school shows that only 66 percent of voting-age women with ready … [Read more...] about Women’s Equality Day and Still More Work to Do
Archives for August 2014
An Unlikely Grand Jury Outcome for Mike Brown
The St. Louis prosecutor, Robert McCullough, has started the Grand Jury process involving the shooting death of Michael Brown. It could take as long as two months and perhaps more before it is concluded. Time will tell but based on the makeup of the St. Louis Grand Jury which is 75% white, there is little reason, in my opinion, to believe that a majority white Grand Jury will indict Officer Darren Wilson. White people have not had the experiences with police officers that young black men encounter on a daily basis all across America. And the grand jurors’ decision will likely fall among racial lines. This is despite the fact that most whites don’t see what happened to Michael Brown as racially motivated. PEW research conducted during the period of August 14 – 17 shows the racial divide on Ferguson. When asked if the shooting was a racial issue, 80% of African Americans who were polled responded “yes” while only 43% of whites feel the shooting of Michael Brown was a race issue. And … [Read more...] about An Unlikely Grand Jury Outcome for Mike Brown
Ferguson, MO is Everywhere In America for African Americans
The shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer has set off another moment of racial injustice in America for African Americans. By the involved yet still unknown police officer’s account, Michael Brown was shot 35 feet away from the police officer’s car where he is alleged to have reached for the officer’s gun after some type of altercation at the officer’s vehicle. Being shot 35 feet away from the vehicle, while unarmed and running from the officer, hardly suggests that the officer was in fear of his life. In fact, it suggests that the shooting was unjustified. It hardly suggests a reason for the officer’s name to be kept secret. But this is what occurs when you are black in America. Ferguson, Missouri is like any other city or town in America where African Americans reside. Every African American has those pivotal moments when they realize justice for African Americans often differs from what justice looks like for white Americans. There are … [Read more...] about Ferguson, MO is Everywhere In America for African Americans
Will Government Prosecute John Hinckley Again?
DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG As if the Justice Department and D.C. police don't have other business to attend to, the ruling this past weekend that James Brady's death was ruled a homicide sent shocks in the media. The bottom line is the 33 year old case in which Hinckley was found to be not guilty by reason of insanity would be an uphill if not insurmountable legal hurdle. I discussed the reasons why on Fox 5 News on Monday. Please feel to view and tell me what you think. … [Read more...] about Will Government Prosecute John Hinckley Again?
McDonnell Defense has an Uphill Battle for Acquittal
The corruption trial of former VA Governor Robert McDonnell and wife Maureen McDonald concluded 2 weeks of testimony with no smoking gun but plenty of evidence to suggest that both McDonnells will have an uphill battle to secure an acquittal. The defense mainly consists of several strategies. They started in opening with the unexpected bombshell revelation that Maureen McDonnell was infatuated with Jonnie Williams and the McDonnell marriage was on the rocks and barely on speaking terms. The other defenses consist of the assertion that Jonnie Williams was a personal friend and nothing “official” was offered or given to Williams. Most of the defense assertions have been picked apart by the prosecution which has put on a methodical case of witnesses who worked for the former Governor, family, family friends and of course, businessman Jonnie R. Williams and Star Scientific’s Chairman of the Board. A witness testified this week that the McDonnells appeared to be very much in … [Read more...] about McDonnell Defense has an Uphill Battle for Acquittal
Why Theodore Wafer was Found Guilty in McBride’s Murder
Theodore Wafer was found guilty of 2nd degree murder, manslaughter and discharging a firearm in the commission of a felony on August 7 for the murder of 19 year old Renisha McBride. The verdict, just one day after closing arguments, sends a loud message that the jury did not struggle with reaching their verdict. While the defense said in closing argument that the case was not about race, it was everything about race and gender. Wafer, a middle aged white man, used every conceivable racial coding language during his testimony. He testified that he feared for his life as several persons might be breaking into his home, in his now changing suburban neighborhood. He testified about how he was scared hearing the thunderous pounding of his front, side and back doors with metal hitting the door and his floors vibrating. Testifying that multiple persons were attempting to break in his house, he didn’t want to cower or be a victim in his own home. And he claims he shot in self- defense. And … [Read more...] about Why Theodore Wafer was Found Guilty in McBride’s Murder