[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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Ife

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

NAACP to Establish Milwaukee Human Rights Commission

– Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP asked the court today to direct County Executive Chris Abele to establish the Milwaukee County Advisory Commission Human Rights. In 1985, the county created a county advisory commission on human rights. The commission’s role was to receive reports on all matters concerning the equal rights of all persons within the county and, after due deliberations and open hearings, advise the appropriate department or division of county government of the proper procedures for preserving the equal rights of persons as guaranteed by the law. To these ends, it was to advise the county executive and county board of pending or prospective legislation or executive orders. It was, also, to advise administrators concerning proper policies, and was to act as a liaison with community groups and organizations. The commission was to refer, without comment, any and all reports to the chief judge.

Around year 2000, the county took action to cease implementing the commission activities but the ordinance that governs the commission is still in place but not enforced. We believe the charge of this commission is critical to ensuring equity and equality in the affairs of our county. We also believe that the absence of this commission has contributed greatly to the socioeconomic decline of the county and disparity gaps. We believe that since the removal of the commission many decisions have been made without consideration for civil rights compliance and equal opportunity.

NAACP President James Hall stated: “The NAACP’s 102-year mission aims to ensure that the fundamental rights of all Americans are protected and advanced.  Our request is being made out of that historical focus and concern.  Consequently, we emphasize that it is the responsibility of each political party, when leading the government, to ensure that regardless of its political persuasion, it upholds the federal and state constitutional rights of citizens and ensures that these rights are fully protected at all times.  We believe the court’s favorable ruling on our request will ensure greater compliance with civil rights and equal opportunity laws within Milwaukee County.”

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Ife

[WATCH] George Zimmerman Released on $150,000 Bail

Justice or it Just is what it is…George Zimmerman is walking around here like a free man and his gun is still hot…

When I first saw this, I thought, “doesn’t this guy know there are gonna be people of all colors and creeds looking to retaliate because of the nature of the crime and lack of consequences, successful or not?” Seeing Zimmerman walk out of jail, hop into that BMW X6 and smash off with the security detail just disgusts me. I could sympathize for this dude if he opted to go to jail and did more than just apologize to the family but the fact that he’s trying to get away is dishonorable. George Zimmerman must live with the mistake he made. That’s the price of having a gun and using it. Innocent, young man down, Man up!

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DJWillieShakes

#NewMusic: Chester French “Black Girls”

Two of my favorite musicians, DA Wallach & Maxwell Drummey have bursted back onto the public scene together, re-introducing Chester French to the a world that missed the hell out of them. Their thoughtful, yet unapologetic lyrics are very much so apparent in their new release, “Black Girls.”

Race is a big deal in America and this racy video features a lesbian, interracial couple that has no shame in embracing each other on camera. Interestingly, Chester French makes no appearance in this video, which is fine if you like to watch two women get it on for four minutes. Hopefully, you can see the bigger picture being painted in living color, while appreciating the lyrics at the same time. In this song, lead singer, DA, exclaims that the world is turning brown and I’d have to agree. But this Friday, we’re going green!

[LISTEN] After the Jump

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DJWillieShakes