Politics. On Point.

Many have wondered if President Obama is on the side of  African Americans. What with the president seemingly promoting the agendas of Latinos, Muslims, Asians, Native Americans, while telling African Americans during the Black Caucus dinner this year to "stop whining" when African Americans lift their voices in protest of high unemployment, mass incarceration, health care and economic disparity, it may have been hard to tell if he was an ally. Seemingly, the before mentioned groups can voice their opinions about what is wrong in their population, and the president will speak to the issues specific to that group. When it comes to speaking on issues and making positive changes relative to the Africa American community, we get from the president something to the affect of, 'my policies will work for ALL Americans".  From African American 'leaders' we're led to believe that the president isn't the president of African Americans, he's the 'pe...

After many years of waiting, America's African American farmers will finally receive the compensation they have fought so long to receive. Federal judge Paul Friedman approved the $1.2 billion settlement for African American farmers late Thursday, calling it "fair, reasonable, and adequate". Under a federal judge's terms, dated in 1999, qualified farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle the claims of racial bias. John Boyd, farmer and founder of BlackFarmers.org , has been in the forefront of this battle, having been on many TV and radio shows, and on Capitol Hill (see our coverage here ) to bring the plight of America's Black farmers to the national stage. Boyd called the historic announcement "vindication and justice". Boyd pointed out that many African American farmers died and others lost land waiting for Congress, (specifically Tom Coburn ) to make a decision on the case. Senator Harry Reid, along with other members of Congres...

For America's Black farmers the tenth time is the charm. African American farmers will finally receive the $1.15 billion owed to them that was settled out of court over 11 years ago in a case that involved discrimination on the part of the U.S. Agricultural Department. Under a federal judge's terms, dated in 1999, qualified farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle the claims of racial bias. John Boyd, farmer and founder of the web site BlackFarmers.org , has been in the forefront of this battle, having been on many TV and radio shows, and on Capitol Hill (see our coverage here ) to bring the plight of America's Black farmers to the national stage. Boyd called the historic announcement "vindication and justice". "This case was about justice for Black farmers who waited for so very long."   Boyd pointed out that many African American farmers died and others lost land waiting for Congress, (specifically Tom...

Or Is It? When Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central, showed up on Capitol Hill this week to attend a session on illegal farm workers hosted by the United Farm Workers, he drew the largest crowd seen at a hearing, at least by Congress member John Conyers.  Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert Conyers, in his "I run Congress" persona complimented Colbert on his celebrity appeal to bring people out to participate in politics, saying he couldn't remember when a hearing drew such a crowd, but respectfully asked the comedian with the sudden political conscience to leave the room after for offbeat comments that included him saying, "I don't want my tomatoes picked by a Mexican.  I want them picked by an American." Colbert's comments also included him saying, "America's farms are presently far too dependent on immigrant labor to pick our fruits and vegetables then sliced by a Guatemalan and served by a Venezuelan in a spa where a Chilean g...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of “The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.” "I applaud the bipartisan action in the Senate today to reauthorize and reform the child nutrition and WIC programs by passing the “The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.” "First Lady Michelle Obama has been a tremendous champion for this legislation, and I commend the leadership of Senators Reid, McConnell, Lincoln, Chambliss and the remainder of the Senate for their unanimous support. This is a great victory for America's children. This bill advances the Obama Administration’s priorities to improve meal quality, strengthen nutrition standards for school meals, reduce barriers and increase access to healthy school meals, promote nutrition education, establish standards for competitive foods, and provide food to needy children during gap periods when the regular nutrition assistance programs are not in operation. Passage of this legis...

Call Shirley Sherrod Firing A Mistake. When the viral video of Shirley Sherrod hit the Internet earlier this week, people called Sherrod, a Black woman - accused of not helping a white farmer lose his farm -  a racist.  Tea Party member Andrew Breitbart . Video editor and fire starter . As we now know, the video didn't show the entire story.  The story that Sherrod, a product of the racist, segregated Georgia South, has been a crusader championing the cause for equal rights her whole adult life. Sherrod was fired from her job as an official with the US Department of Agriculture, and received from the agency's Tom Vilsack  scathing remarks.  ( He has since retracted them). Said Vilsack,  "This is a good woman." She has been put through hell. I could have done and should have done a better job." But Vilsack wasn't the only person in this firestorm of attacks on Sherrod.  The NAACP, once they saw the video, also acted in...

A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors Remember when you were growing up and your mom told you "go outside and play"?    If you look at neighborhoods, these days, across America you may not find as many kids outside playing.   TV, electronic devices, safety issues, childcare issues, outdoor space, air quality, and computers have seeminngly kept Americans from experiencing the great outdoors.   President Obama wants Americans, especially kids, to reconnect with the great outdoors.   "Our working landscapes, cultural sites, parks, coasts, wild lands, rivers, and streams are gifts that we have inherited from previous generations. They are the places that offer us refuge from daily demands, renew our spirits, and enhance our fondest memories, whether they are fishing with a grandchild in a favorite spot, hiking a trail with a friend, or enjoying a family picnic in a neighborhood park. They also are our farms, ranches, and forests -- the...

Members Of Congress Take To The Hill With NBFA For Resolution This week on the Hill members of Congress joined John Boyd , President of the National Black Farmers Association  to address the continuing saga of Black farmers who have been denied credit, funds, and their dignity by the United States Department of Agriculture . Congressman Bobby Scott (along with Congressman Danny Davis ) helped the organization introduce a bill that was passed into law in May of 2008 that would have allowed some 80,000 African American farmers have their cases heard based on its merit.   Since then, President Obama put into his budget $1.15b to compensate the farmers.  An agreement was entered into with African American farmers, the USDA , and the Department of Justice for Congress to make those funds available by March 31, 2010. Congressman Bobby Scott w. BFA's John Boyd. Photo: CD Brown "We're days away from the deadline, and the Obama administration (wh...