Politics

Melissa McKinnies and Danye Jones. Black woman and Black boy sit next to each other and smile.
Melissa McKinnies as told to Bakari Kitwana  Aug 9, 2019 2:48PM EDT

Activist Melissa McKinnies on the Mike Brown Rebellion—And the Lynching of Her Son Danye

Melissa McKinnies was a Ferguson uprising fixture. It’s for this reason that the St. Louis mother believes that one of her sons was lynched in their backyard. Here are her words.
Michael Brown Jr. A drawing of a Black boy wearing headphones on a brown background
Michael Brown Sr. as told to Bakari Kitwana  Aug 9, 2019 9:42AM EDT

Missing Mike-Mike: Michael Brown Sr. Reflects on the 5 Years Since His Son Became a Political Symbol

Before Michael Brown Jr. became an international symbol of racialized police violence, he was an 18-year-old who cracked jokes, made music and planned for his future. Here, a deeply personal reflection by his dad on the fifth anniversary of his killing.
Three people wearing black-rimmed glasses, bow their heads and cry as they stand arm-in-arm.
Shani Saxon  Aug 5, 2019 5:48PM EDT

Trump Links Call for Background Checks With Immigration Reform in Wake of Mass Shootings

The president took to Twitter to suggest “marrying” the two unrelated and politically divisive issues.
Pedro Pierluisi stands behind a podium
Ayana Byrd  Aug 5, 2019 2:20PM EDT

Puerto Rico's New Governor Challenged as 'Unconstitutional'

The Puerto Rican Senate filed a lawsuit questioning the validity of the swearing in of the territory’s new governor, Pedro Pierluisi.
Bill de Blasio. White middle-aged man with short gray hair wearing dark suit, white shirt, and red tie on stage.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 1, 2019 2:22PM EDT

WATCH: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio Is Heckled During Democratic Presidential Debate

Activists for Eric Garner, who was killed by police via an illegal chokehold, interrupted opening statements with chants of “Fire Pantaleo.”
Steven Wilson. Young Lakota man with short dark hair wearing gray jacket and tan pants performing National Anthem in University of South Dakota's gym.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 1, 2019 12:17PM EDT

The National Anthem Will Be Performed in Lakota At Upcoming Presidential Forum

Steven Wilson will set the tone for the first-ever presidential election forum to focus entirely on Native American issues.
Woman holds colorful protest sign that reads, "families belong together" in Spanish
Shani Saxon  Jul 31, 2019 5:22PM EDT

ACLU: The U.S. Government Has Taken 911 More Kids From Their Asylum-Seeking Families

The American Civil Liberties Union argued in court that in the year since Trump officially ended his “zero tolerance” immigration policy, 911 additional children have been separated from their parents or guardians.
Marijuana decriminalization. Black woman with long braids lighting a pipe.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 30, 2019 3:19PM EDT

New York Becomes the 15th State to Decriminalize Marijuana

The new law is designed to issue fines instead of jail time and to create a path for people to expunge possession convictions from their records. 
Slavery reparations rally. Black 6-year-old girl stands in front of pro-reparations signs.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 29, 2019 9:26AM EDT

The Who, What and How of Reparations for Slavery

A new online “Reparations Toolkit” gives a detailed breakdown of why Black people deserve this financial payback.
A Palestinian woman in a blue hijab stands before the ruins of her home.
Kristian Davis Bailey  Jul 26, 2019 4:27PM EDT

The House Resolution Condemning Palestinian Human Rights Movement is Blatantly Wrong [OP-ED]

The U.S. House passed a resolution this week condemning the peaceful Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement for Palestinian rights. Here’s what’s wrong about that decision. 
A black and white photo of Frantz Fanon
Sharda Sekeran  Jul 26, 2019 10:12AM EDT

Frantz Fanon's Daughter to Michigan Prisons: Take 'Black Skin, White Masks' Off the Banned Book List

The Michigan state prison system has banned Frantz Fanon’s seminal race theory book “Black Skin, White Masks” from its libraries. Here’s how legal experts and his daughter, Mireille Fanon-Mendès, are fighting to get the classic back into prisoners’ hands. 
Protestors in Puerto Rico.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 25, 2019 4:39PM EDT

Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rosselló Resigns

Thousands celebrate, but some say his replacement, Wanda Vázquez, is also unfit to serve.
fruit aisle in supermarket with melons and oranges
Ayana Byrd  Jul 24, 2019 4:09PM EDT

Trump Administration Seeks to Strip 3.1 Million People of Food Security

The quest to prevent lower-income earning people from accessing food stamps via the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program continues.
Ilhan Omar. Black woman wearing white turban and gray long-sleeve dress.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 24, 2019 1:55PM EDT

Rep. Ilhan Omar Responds to 'Appalling' Question About Her Values

Omar: “I would like everyone to know that if you want us to speak as politicians, American politicians, then you treat us as such.”
a masked man holding a Puerto Rican flag against a blue sky
Ayana Byrd  Jul 23, 2019 3:06PM EDT

#RickyRenuncia Protestors Demand Resignation of Puerto Rico's Governor

Half a million Puerto Rico residents are mobilizing to oust their elected leader in the aftermath of a text message scandal.
A Mexican baby
Ayana Byrd  Jul 22, 2019 12:36PM EDT

Study Finds Increase in Latinx Preterm Births After Trump Election

Researchers emphasized a connection between psychosocial stress and an increase in babies born early after 45 won the White House.
Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib at press conference.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 16, 2019 4:53PM EDT

ICYMI: The Squad Calls Out Trump's Racism, Moves Convo Forward

Representative Ayanna Pressley: “I will always refer to him as ‘the occupant,’ as he is only occupying space. He does not embody the grace, the empathy, the compassion, the integrity that that office requires and that the American people deserve.”
Puerto Rico capitol building in San Juan and Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Jul 15, 2019 3:17PM EDT

Puerto Rico Finalizing Plan To Restructure Its Debt

Three years in the making, the effort prioritizes pensioners over bondholders—and will likely be challenged on grounds of constitutionality.
The Squad. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass), Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.),
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 15, 2019 2:37PM EDT

House Reps of Color Respond After Trump Tells Them to 'Go Back'

Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib: “We’re not going anywhere.” 
A protestor holds up a yellow sign captioned "End the Raids! End the deportations."
Akiba Solomon  Jul 12, 2019 4:49PM EDT

Tools of War: Share This List Before the ICE Raids Start

Starting on Sunday, Homeland Security will begin raiding the homes and workplaces of some 2,000 people who remain in the country despite deportation orders. Here, tools for making it through.