Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law on Tuesday morning that will create a commission to consider reparations for slavery in New York State. The bill signing ceremony was attended by several state representatives, including Assemblyman Charles Barron, who sponsored the bill. Barron said the commission is a "step in the right direction" and that he hopes it will lead to more meaningful reparations for African-Americans. The legislation follows similar task forces in California and Illinois, and is part of a larger effort by states and towns throughout the United States to reckon with the country’s dark past.
Posts tagged as “African American”
At least 61 migrants, including women and children, have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Survivors reported that 61 migrants were missing and presumed dead, and the victims were from Nigeria, Gambia, and other African countries. The IOM has called for "urgent action" to prevent further loss of life and urged governments to provide safe and legal pathways for migrants.
Richard Roundtree, best known for his role as detective John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81. His manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed his death, saying he had been battling pancreatic cancer. Roundtree's career in film and television spanned over 50 years, and his work was a turning point for African American leading men in film. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she will not seek election to a full term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, despite being seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In a statement, Butler said she had “spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity” and that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign.” This decision opens up the race for the U.S. Senate seat in California, with a number of candidates expected to enter the race in the coming months.
The case challenges South Carolina's congressional district map adopted in 2022, which was brought by Black South Carolinians alleging that the state is diluting Black voters’ power. A three-judge federal district court panel found that the map had “bleached … African American voters out of the district”. The Supreme Court will decide whether the process was illegal racial discrimination or simply partisan politics.
France has announced its withdrawal of troops from Niger in response to a coup, a move that signals a shift in the country's policy in the region. This comes as President Emmanuel Macron is undertaking a review of the French diplomatic corps in order to modernize the country's diplomatic approach.
Following a violent clash between Eritrean migrants in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a plan to remove all African migrants from the country. Netanyahu's remarks have sparked debate in Israel, with some arguing for the migrants to stay and others saying they should be deported. The issue of African migrants in Israel has been a source of contention for years, with the government previously attempting to deport them but facing legal challenges.
Somalia's Minister of Youth and Sports has apologized and suspended the chair of the national track and field federation after a seemingly untrained female sprinter, Nasra Abukar Ali, represented the African country at the World University Games in China and finished 10 seconds behind the winner. The incident has sparked outrage among Somali citizens and raised questions about the selection process for athletes representing the country, prompting the Minister to promise to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.