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Volume 123 No. 27
FEBRUARY 7, 2015 - FEBRUARY 13, 2015
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Civil Rights Leaders Upset Over Non-Voting Rights Act Hearing
AFRO Series–Part Four
Is Digital Redlining Causing Internet Caste System? By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent As the digital revolution continues to evolve, the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” continues to persist in what former Secretary of State Colin Powell coined a “digital morguefile
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apartheid.” The Internet and broadband connectivity has become the backbone of society. Commerce, political engagement, health care, communication—such as making free international calls via Internet, education, job applications, company promotion, news and much more are all moving to the online information superhighway. But while some are on the fast lane, too many are forced to traverse by foot and donkey-cart speeds. And, that connectivity divide—usually among poor, rural and Black and Brown communities, who have zero or merely subpar access to the marvels of digital technology and the Internet— can create permanently marginalized individuals who lack the skills and tools to navigate successfully in an Continued on A7
By James Wright Special to the AFRO Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sparked controversy on Jan. 14 saying that, “The Voting Rights Amendment Act” – which would restore the preclearance requirement by the Justice Department for states mainly in the South – “is not necessary.” He has decided not to hold a hearing on the bill that would restore key wikipedia.org elements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and this has President Johnson and Martin Luther King, Jr. at the signing of the Voting Rights Act on outraged African-American Aug. 6, 1965. and civil rights leaders. bipartisan work of Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Jim Goodlatte said the watered Clyburn (D-S.C.). If this is indeed the position of the entire down Voting Rights Act (VRA) that is presently in effect protects voters from discrimination but Rep. George Butterfield Republican Conference, then they have clearly drawn a line in the sand – one in which they are on the wrong side of.” (D-N.C.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by disagrees. “I am deeply troubled that Goodlatte doesn’t think President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat. It has been renewed it is necessary to restore the Voting Rights Act,” Butterfield Continued on A6 said. “We began this Congress very hopeful to build upon the
Black Millennials Encouraged to Get Health Insurance By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO Like many African-American college graduates living in the District, Keysa Towns has experienced the highs and lows of living outside of a dependency on her parents. Aside from escalating living costs – her Northwest apartment building was sold and subsequent leasing expenses almost tripled –Towns’ non-profit employer eliminated health insurance from its listed benefits. That decision placed Towns among the millions of American millennials – roughly 1 in 5 between the ages of 18 and 34 – without health insurance. Despite understanding the need for health care insurance, many African-American millennials believe they cannot afford the cost. “I have been in pretty good health, but understand that some health conditions that surface in a person’s forties, take root in their twenties. I want to be proactive about my health, but have
found it easier to take advantage of free mobile health units, or the new clinics inside CVS stores,” Towns said. Towns is correct in noting that young African Americans suffer disproportionately from poor health outcomes including chronic illnesses and
while patients ages 18 to 34 are typically healthy, they tend to fall ill when they least expect it. “As someone who has cared for patients in the hospital, conducted research in the laboratory, and built public health programs in the community,
“I was happy living with the bare necessities… I understand now that health insurance is a necessity like food because without it, you really are screwed.” – Jerome Pettigrew
the lack of health insurance contributes greatly to these health disparities. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy said, in a conference call panel for the Jan. 29 National Youth Enrollment Day, that
I can help forge partnerships between these worlds and build bridges between young and older generations to address the biggest health care challenges that Continued on A4
Bowser Campaigns for Todd, May
Laura Murphy Fêted for Extraordinary Service at ACLU By James Wright Special to the AFRO
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Laura W. Murphy, a nationally-known and respected civil rights and civil liberties leader, has decided to step down as the leader of the ACLU’s Washington office after 17 years of leadership and activism. She was thanked
for her service by some of the most powerful people on Capitol Hill. Fifty people crammed into the Mansfield Room on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 2 to sing the praises of Murphy for her work. Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, said that Murphy made a difference in the lives
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of all Americans. “When you look at such issues as the sentencing discrepancies on crack versus powder cocaine and on campaign finance reform, you will see Laura Murphy’s fingerprints,” Romero said. “She is known for her skill to work across the aisle, whether it is Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) or Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.).” Murphy is the daughter of the late Judge William Murphy and Madeline Murphy, prominent fixtures in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood. She is a descendant of AFRO founder John H. Murphy Sr., and is on the newspaper company’s
By James Wright Special to the AFRO
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Laura Murphy has decided to step down as the leader of the ACLU’s Washington office. board of directors. As a teenager, Murphy
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Continued on A10
The April 28 special election to fill the D.C. Council member positions in Wards 4 and 8 has a number of candidates but the District mayor is out working for the candidates she supports. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has endorsed former council staffer Brandon Todd and former Ward 8 2014 campaign coordinator LaRuby May for the Ward 4 and 8 positions Continued on A10