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This 1867 drawing by Alfred Waud, "The First Vote," depicts Black men waiting in line to cast ballots. In Southern states, Black men first gained the right to vote in state constitutions drafted during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era.,

Honoring Reconstruction’s Legacy: The Freedom to Vote

By Editors' Choice

During the 1870s, more than a half a million Black men voted for the first time in their lives. But this wave of progressive change did not last long. By Rebekah Barber and Billy Corriher, Facing South — One hundred and fifty years ago, a Congress dominated by “Radical Republicans” — mostly former abolitionists who represented Northern states — mandated that Southern states rewrite their constitutions, ratify the 14th amendment, and grant…

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Bill Cosby

A Final Sad Thought About Cosby

By Commentaries/Opinions

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson, The Hutchinson Report — I have been hard line, uncompromising, and relentless in my criticism of Bill Cosby’s sexual crimes and in my withering call for justice for his victims, Yet, I must say that I felt a pang of deep remorse and sadness in gazing at the picture of Cosby being led out of the Pennsylvania courtroom with his head bowed, and his hands manacled. It…

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September 24th Edition of Vantage Point Radio

By Vantage Point Radio, Video/Audio

TOPICS: Connecting the African Diaspora to the Motherland • The Future of Labor in the Era of Trump • The Iron Coffin Lady: A Window into Early Black Communities in New York • The Fate of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. GUESTS: H.E. Arikana Chihombori-Quao (African Union Ambassador to the U.S., Washington, D.C.), Barbara Madeloni (Education Coordinator, Labor Notes, Boston, MA) and Rev. Kimberly L. Detherage, Esq. (Pastor, St. Mark AME Church, Queens, NY).

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Arthur Mitchell dancing with New York City Ballet, 1963.

Arthur Mitchell obituary

By News & Current Affairs

The first African American principal dancer to star in a major ballet company. By Wendy Perron, The Guardian — A star of New York City Ballet and the co-founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Arthur Mitchell was also the first African American principal dancer in any major ballet company. Mitchell, who has died aged 84, had classical lines, buoyant energy and a palpable joy in movement. In NYCB, where he danced from…

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Michelle Obama, seen in New Orleans in June.

‘I am frustrated too’: Michelle Obama urges voters to register ahead of midterms

By News & Current Affairs

When We All Vote kicks off in Las Vegas with a nonpartisan aim – registration and participation – in highly partisan times. By Dan Hernandez, The Guardian — A star-studded voter registration drive launched by Michelle Obama kicked off its national week of action this weekend with events across the country, including a rally by the former first lady on Sunday at Chaparral high school in Las Vegas. The drive, When We All…

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Some Puerto Ricans had to restore downed power lines themselves after Hurricane Maria.

Puerto Rico has not recovered from Hurricane Maria

By News & Current Affairs

By Lauren Lluveras, The Conversation — Puerto Rico was in crisis long before Hurricane Maria hit on Sept. 20, 2017. For years, this U.S. territory had been struggling with debt, economic crisis and drought. In May 2017, the government defaulted on US$73 billion in loans and declared bankruptcy. Then Hurricane Maria slammed the island with 155-mph winds and coastal flooding that rose to 6 feet within 30 minutes of landfall. The storm caused the longest power blackout in…

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