Apologies = Progress, But We’ve Got Work To Do

Every year, June 19th – Juneteenth, as it is called – is considered a holiday commemorating the end of slavery.

Why June 19th? According to popular renditions of the story, it has “come to be understood as the date Union Gen. Gordon Granger, arriving in Galveston on June 19, 1865, brought the news of emancipation and set Texas slaves free“.

This Juneteenth is a particularly interesting one, for several reasons. Last night, the Senate voted unanimously to “apologize for slavery and segregation“, in a symbolic measure that is set to pass on this Juneteenth 2009. Moreover, a man who 50 years prior would not be allowed to sit at the same lunch counter as his fellow white patrons is now the President of the United States.

However, judging by some of the new and persisting wounds that exist in America – such as the shooting at the DC Holocaust Museum, the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller, and the fact that the victims of Katrina are are virtually broke, basically homeless and are receiving no help from the higher powers in our country, we certainly have some more work to do truly show that Americans are united in a desire for change and healing.

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Steve Romain

A 10 Year Old’s Case Against The N-Word

Regardless of your race, religious beliefs or personal attitudes, the words that Johnathan McCoy says are mindblowing and are so wise…and he is only ten years old! You’ll be amazed.

Don’t take my word for it, watch for yourself:

What do you think?

Posted by:

Steve Romain

Prez O: “Can’t We All Just Get Along?”

Yesterday, President Obama gave a speech in Cairo that has been regarded as both balanced and fair-handed as well as “discursive and uninspired”. Ultimately, the reaction was mixed. However, there’s one part of the speech that just about everyone seems to be talking about:

Essentially, Obama attempted to extend an olive branch to the Muslim world during a key moment of his speech, calling for civil discourse and an end to threats of violence and terror.

The real question is: what is hindering the relations with the Islamic world and the US? The issues are liable to make one’s head spin. But have no fear! Here at 99Problems, we’re gonna go over a few factors, AFTER THE JUMP!

… Continue Reading

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Steve Romain

When Will They See That Separate Is Not Equal?

A few moments ago, in California, the decision to overturn Prop 8 was struck down. For gay rights activists, a sense of anger was in the air outside the California State Supreme Court today, as the CA State Supreme Court upheld a controversial ban on gay marriages that was voted in on November 4th. However, the court stated that those marriages that were enacted during the six month period of legalization before Prop 8 will remain legal, in a somewhat awkward state of limbo.

This does not mean the fight is over. This only means that those who fight must keep going. … Continue Reading

Posted by:

Steve Romain

Obama’s 100th Day: Action is the Price of Change

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Heather Box