Rights and Democracy

The New Normal for African-American Voter Turnout

The New Normal for African-American Voter Turnout

African Americans turned out to vote in record numbers on Election Day, many of us waiting in long lines and going through plenty of red tape to do so. One of these determined voters was a 100-year-old “Church Mother” in Elmhurst, New York who didn’t want any favors and stood in line and in solidarity with her fellow citizens.

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Shortchanging Our Future

Shortchanging Our Future

More than 5 million young people are looking for work. College is increasingly unaffordable, while youth jobs are few and far between. For years lawmakers have been cutting programs that help young Americans find a productive path. And as if that weren’t enough, budget cuts scheduled for 2013 may hollow out what’s left of federal education and training programs.

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The Sleazy League

The Sleazy League

Once upon a time, most college kids plugged away in high school, saved their babysitting money, took practice exams, settled for a rebuilt clutch in the family car, and worked summer jobs waiting tables.They studied like crazy, read far into the night, and had a good shot at a decent job. Rich kids attended private universities, poorer kids went to state schools. Part-time, vocational, and waitlisted students opted for community colleges.

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Will the Supreme Court Dismantle the Voting Rights Act?

Will the Supreme Court Dismantle the Voting Rights Act?

Well, that didn’t take long. Just three days after a diverse coalition of voters re-elected President Barack Obama, the Supreme Court announced that it’s going to review the Voting Rights Act. The justices will look at Section 5 of the landmark legislation, which requires states with a history of racial discrimination to get pre-approval from the federal government before they change their voting laws. Most of the affected states are in the South.

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