Political Quick Hits: April 30th Edition

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

• Last Tuesday, Mitt Romney swept all five GOP presidential primaries held in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Mitt Romney’s focus has now shifted toward the general election. In his victory speech on Tuesday, Romney said, “a better America starts tonight.” President Obama’s campaign also announced this week that the president will officially kick off the re-election campaign on May 5.  (CNN)

Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

Precious Knowledge: From Arizona to Milwaukee

Almost two years ago, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, signed the ‘papers please’ bill into law. Millions waited for President Obama to address national immigration policy, but nothing changed. The bill has continued to be challenged and will make its Supreme Court appearance this summer.

Something else happened soon after the immigration bill was passed. Another less visible, but equally destructive bill, was passed in the Arizona senate. House Bill 2281, known as the Ethnic Studies Ban, was targeted at a series of Chicano and Mexican-American classes in the Tucson School district. A fierce battle ensued with students and educators on one side, and the Arizona state government on the other.

You may not have heard anything about the months of protest, but one woman, Eren McGinnis, not only paid attention but filmed for an entire year in a high school. Through her documentary film, Precious Knowledge, we enter into the world of the forbidden class. In this film we get to see first-hand what all the fuss was about. It turns out that predominately Mexican and Latino schools discovered that by having Latino teachers, teaching students their history, arts, and culture improved the students grades, test scores, and confidence. When the high school seniors learned that they may lose the classes, they organized protests and publicly resisted the state’s attempt to eliminate their classes.

Hit the jump to watch the powerful trailer:

Posted by:

Ife

First Photos of Congresswoman Giffords Released Since Shooting

Hit the jump to see the photos and get the details…

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes

Update on Gabrielle Giffords:

It has been months since the tragic shooting in Arizona where Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot in the face by an deranged gunman, while attending a community meet-and-greet in her district.

I can vividly remember that day. What I remember best is how I felt when learning of the victims that had lost their lives. News stations across the country covered a very sad and gloomy picture of how things can get violent when hate and political games go too far.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Christina Sanders

Arizona Bans Abortion on Basis of Race or Gender

In yet another example of bizarre legislative moves in Arizona,  Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill into law yesterday to ban abortions performed on the basis of the race or gender of the fetus.

The Associated Press reports:

“The law makes it a felony to perform or provide financing for an abortion sought because of the race or sex of the fetus or a parent’s race… Illinois, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania already have laws that ban abortion for the purpose of gender selection.”

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Sarah Stern