[Interactive Map] Voter Suppression Efforts Nationwide

If you have been following politics, than you know that Wisconsin is a major battleground this year. Well, Wisconsin isn’t the only state where voters are being challenged to get to the polls. Suppression tactics can be seen across the nation in places like Indiana, Kansas, and Georgia just to name a few. Recently the Fair Elections Legal Network and Campus Progress, have unveiled their interactive voter suppression map. This map shows us where voters rights are being challenged.

What does this mean for us, you ask?

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Posted by:

Ife

Are you using common sense?

We have all said it, heard it said, heard other people say it, and heard other people say it about us. “Use your common sense.” Usually when it is being said, it is in response to someone’s expectations not being met. “You should’ve known better, it’s common sense.” Am I the only one that seems to hear it being said at least seven times a day? Does anyone have common sense? To answer this question, first let’s get to the bottom of another question, what is common sense?

So first we have common, a pretty common word. But when we look it up, it turns out that there are actually six general definitions, some of them even seem to have conflicting meanings. I wonder if that is commonly known?

Okay let’s look at these three definitions:

1 occurring, found, or done often; prevalent: “salt and pepper are the two most common seasonings.”

2 showing a lack of taste and refinement; vulgar.

3 shared by, coming from, or done by more than one

             Okay this is getting sketchy. For the sake of time, let’s all briefly think of the meaning of common sense if we inserted definition 2….thinking…..okay moving on.

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Posted by:

Kwesi Low

Free to Love Equal Rights

Just last week, North Carolina voters passed a bill strictly defining marriage as between a man and woman. The day after, President Obama stated that he personally agreed with same-sex marriage.

Last year, my friend, Tom Bridegroom, suddenly died. He was gay and had been living with his partner for several years in California. They had promised to marry as soon as it was legal. Tom’s family never agreed with his homosexuality, and after his sudden death, they decided to cut all contact with his partner, Shane. After an entire year, Shane decided to speak through a YouTube video, about his experience with not only Tom’s family, but with the laws as they currently are.

For some insight on the state of the marriage equality fight, I spoke with LGBT advocate with Milwaukee’s Pathfinders, Julie Brock, about her reaction to the ban in North Carolina, the President and the video, “It could happen to you.”

“I was sad North Carolinians passed the ban, but not surprised,” Brock said. “Oppression is institutionalized in America.”

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Ife

Happy Mother’s Day! Music of the Movement #strongmoms

Our friends at Green For All just released this incredible video to celebrate all of the women who have influenced who we are today:

“7 Billion Strong” is an anthem about worldwide unity on behalf of mother earth and the women that have invested in and inspired us. The song came to us through our recent “movement” song competition, The Dream Reborn.  The song and accompanying video not only highlight the global nature of our struggle, but in light of Mothers Day, highlights the role of Women and Mothers as the backbone, brain and heart of our shared struggle for justice.

Posted by:

The Editor

Political Quick Hits: May 11th Edition

Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:

• President Obama said on Wednesday that he supports same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting President to state that he is in favor of marriage equality. President Obama once opposed same-sex marriages, but previously said his views have been “evolving.” Presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, stuck by his beliefs on Wednesday saying, “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.”

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Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt