Just Like Me
"Don't allow your vision to affect your vision."
As a child, my sister and I enjoyed tying bandanas around
our eyes and walking around the house while bumping into furniture and knocking
things over. Though a game to us, that was a reality for our younger cousin
Deante (DJ). He never needed a blindfold to bump into things. I remember
getting mad at him all the time when we were younger because he always sat
right in front of the television and his large head always blocked the screen. “Move,
DJ” I would yell, completely unaware that he only sat in front of the
television because he couldn’t see.
In my young mind, DJ was just like my sister and me. He grew
up as a sibling to my sister and I and he did everything that we did. We all
played together, ate together, got into trouble together, watched television
together, EVERYTHING. When I was in the fifth grade, DJ was in the first grade
and one day at school while running an errand for my teacher, I saw my cousin
being taken out of class by the woman who worked with the children who had “special
needs.” I didn’t think my cousin was “special.” He was just like me. Besides
him sitting right in front of the television all the time, he wasn’t different.
Later on my mom told me that my cousin was visually impaired and what might
seem easier for me to look at is a little more difficult for DJ to see.
At that age I didn’t understand what my mom meant but around
the age of 13 or 14, I found out that my cousin, who was just like me, had a
condition called Nystagmus. Nystagmus is involuntary eye movement that may
reduce or limit vision. After reading about the condition, I started to notice
that my cousins eyes “jumped” while he would look at things and that he had to
read books the same way he watched television: up close. A few years later, I
was also told that my cousin would never be able to drive a vehicle since he was
considered “legally blind.” Here I was, 17 years old, just receiving my driver’s
license, knowing that my younger cousin, who was just like me, wouldn’t be able
to do the same.
Nystagmus has traditionally been viewed as non-treatable,
but medications have recently been discovered and show promise in some
patients. Therapeutic approaches such as contact lenses, surgery, and low
vision rehabilitation have also been proposed. Nystagmus is actually a
relatively common condition, affecting one in several thousand people.
I chose to do an entry about my cousin and his condition
because he recently informed me that he would be able to get his learner’s
permit with the hopes of one day getting his license. What my family thought
was nearly impossible is slowly becoming a reality. I was almost in tears after
he told me but I had to keep myself together because it’s not really “my thing”
to cry in front of people. The reason why it touched my heart the most is
because my cousin, while facing a condition to which no one in our family could
relate, was thrust into an environment that wasn’t healthy for someone like
him. Through his upbringing, my cousin has had to face some of life’s greatest
hardships. Like many African-American men, sadly, he had to grow up without his
father and watch his mother work alone. When DJ was ten, my aunt had another
child, Devin, and when Devin’s father isn’t around, my cousin practically
raises him.
My cousin, DJ, is now 17 years old and will be starting his
senior year of high school in August. He aspires to be an actor, writer, and
producer and has done remarkable things to develop his craft while taking care
of his brother and being “legally blind.” As I write this article with tears
streaming down my face, I am reminded of how much I look up to my younger
cousin and how much I appreciate his warm spirit and generosity. If there’s one
thing my cousin is good at, it’s bringing me an immense amount of joy. I have
the highest level of respect for him because he has been able to accomplish some
of the things that were said to be impossible for someone who is visually
impaired. DJ continues to fight through every one of life’s obstacles and
manages to do so with the biggest smile. And because of that, I hope to one day
be just like him.
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Obama Addresses 2014 West Point Graduates
On May 28th,
2014 I had the privilege of hearing President Barack H. Obama address the 2014
West Point graduates (one of which was my god-brother, Alfred J. Fields III). During his commencement speech, President
Obama acknowledged that our world is swiftly changing and that America must be
able to respond to the world’s increasing dynamics.
It will
be your generation's task to respond to this new world. The question we face;
the question you will face; is not whether America will lead, but how we will
lead, not just to secure our peace and prosperity, but also to extend peace and
prosperity around the globe. –President
Barack H. Obama
Most of President Obama’s speech outlined
his vision for the United States and its military and how they should lead in
years to come. The four elements of American leadership stated by President
Obama were:
1.
Using military force when our core interests are
at stake or our people are threatened
2.
Shifting our counter-terrorism strategy by more
effectively partnering with countries where terrorist networks seek a foothold
3.
Continuing to strengthen and enforce
international order through evolving our institutions, such as NATO and the
United Nations
4.
Supporting democracy and human rights around the
globe, not only as a matter of idealism, but one of national security.
Within his
speech, President Obama repeatedly articulated that the United States is a
global leader and “must always lead on the world stage” as a nation. He also
made the statement that “Just because we have the best hammer does not mean
that every problem is a nail.
How did the United States become a global
leader?
The United
States became a global leader by drawing its power from political, economic,
geographic, and social opportunities. The first factor which led to the nation’s
success is westward expansion. In the late 1800’s, America had much more room
geographically for developments in comparison to its European competitors. The
high availability of land and resources in the United States left plenty of room
for development and ensured that land prices remained reasonable, allowing new
industries to spring up in the midst of the resource networks that supplied
them. The United States also had imperial markets in the 1800s giving the
nation the largest overseas network. In conjunction with the imperial market
and the resources within the United States, the country implemented a trade
policy imposing large tariffs on foreign products. Since the U.S. products were
in high demand, the policy became very profitable for the economy. The United
States was also insulated internationally (meaning no military conflict) giving
American industrialists the confidence to build new industries without fear of destruction
and drawing foreign to U.S. industry because of its security. With those factors
and the U.S. government’s support of business and encouragement of capitalism,
the United States became a successful nation earlier in its history.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
Throughout
President Obama’s address to the West Point graduates, I was a little lost
because of some of the terms he used and because of my lack of knowledge to
some historical events that shaped the United States into the country that it
is. After doing research, I understand why President Obama wants the country to
continue to lead internationally. While listening to his commencement speech, I
noted the President saying: “Ultimately, global leadership requires us to
see the world as it is, with all its danger and uncertainty. But American
leadership also requires us to see the world as it should be – a place where
the aspirations of individual human beings matter; where hopes and not just
fears govern; where the truths written into our founding documents can steer
the currents of history in the direction of justice.” The quote is relative to the nation and to
every American individually. As a unit, we are required to see a situation as
it is, but individually, we must see that situation as what it should be and
try to implement changes to eliminate problems.
.JPG) |
| Top Left: Older picture of my god-brother, godfather, and me after I was christened (1993). Top Right: After my god-brother's commissioning ceremony with my godfather. Bottom Left: My god-brother and me. Bottom Center: CNN update that came to my phone while sitting in Michie Stadium. Bottom Right: Graduation program. |
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#BurritosNotBullets
Chipotle began a campaign “Bring your appetite…but not your guns” after a social media campaign over gun rights activists openly displaying their assault rifles inside one of its restaurants in Dallas, Texas. Participants from an “open carry” demonstration in Texas recently brought guns in a Chipotle restaurant causing customers to feel anxiety and discomfort. The company respectfully asked customers not to bring guns into their restaurants unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.
An activist group, “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America,” began a Twitter campaign against customers bringing guns in Chipotle. The group was formed after the mass shooting of children in Sandy Hook. “Moms Demand” posted an image on their Twitter account of two men carrying large guns in Chipotle stating that such images were unacceptable and that they refused to feed their children next to armed gunmen.
Within 24 hours, Chipotle responded to the campaign with the hashtag “#BurritosNotBullets” indicating that guns were no longer allowed in the restaurant.
Last year, Starbucks faced a similar issue and told customers they were not allowed to bring guns into its stores. The company said the debate about whether people should openly carry guns had become increasingly uncivil and that the chain did not want its stores to be used as a political stage.
BACKGROUND/ HISTORY:
The protection against violation of the right to keep and bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. There have been several debates on the nature of this right, but there has been a lack of clear federal court rulings defining the right. Most federal gun laws were enacted through the National Firearms Act, the Gun Control Act of 1968, Firearm Owners Protection Act and Gun-Free School Zones Act.
There is no federal law generally prohibiting citizens from carrying firearms for protection or other lawful purposes. The carry of firearms for protection is legal in all 50 states and open carrying of firearms without any licensing requirement is legal in 31 states.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
I can see both sides of the debate about carrying guns into restaurants. On one side, in support of “Moms Demand,” Chipotle, and Starbucks, it is sometimes inappropriate and unnecessary to carry a gun into a restaurant or store. After the recent history of the United States, especially after the school shooting in Sandy Hook, it is understandable why mothers would have some concern about their children dining with armed gunmen. The restaurants’ main concern is the happiness of their customers. Without customers the restaurants will not thrive so they are willing to do what is needed for customers to return. Starbucks stating that it did not want its stores to be used as a political stage is a smart business move because people of all political views enjoy their products. If Starbucks was to support one standpoint, they would lose the business of people with opposing views.
On the other hand, in support of the armed citizens, “it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” As cliché as that may have sounded, the world is a dangerous place and I understand why someone would want to be protected at all times.
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Will the REAL Rick Ross Please
Stand Up?
In June 2010, Rick Ross sued Rick Ross for using his name. That might have been little a confusing. Here’s a better explanation: the REAL Rick Ross sued rapper, William Leonard Roberts II (known as Rick Ross) for using his name. William Roberts, a Carol City, Florida native and founder of Maybach Music Group, began his career with Slip-n-Slide Records, touring with fellow rapper and South Florida native, Trick Daddy. Roberts derived his stage name from the former drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross in 2001 and was later sued after Ross’s release from prison in 2009 for drug trafficking. Freeway Ricky Ross filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Roberts in a California federal court and sought $10 million in compensation in the lawsuit. Jay-Z, who was the CEO of Def Jam Records when Roberts was signed to the label, was called to testify. The release of Roberts’s album, Teflon Don, was threatened to be blocked by Freeway Rick Ross, but the lawsuit was thrown out of court in early July 2010 and the album released as scheduled later that month. The case was refiled and updated in favor of Freeway Rick Ross at to Warner Brothers Records and their use of the name and image “Rick Ross” in 2012. The trial was set for late August 2013 in Freeway Rick Ross versus Rick Ross and Warner Music Group. On December 30, 2013, the court ruled in favor of rapper Rick Ross (William L. Roberts II) allowing him to keep the name under First Amendment ruling.
BACKGROUND/ HISTORY:
Freeway Ricky Ross was introduced to a connection of cheap Nicaraguan cocaine, Oscar Danilo Blandón, and began buying cocaine from him directly. Ross’s primary points of distribution were the Bloods and Crips of Los Angeles but he eventually operated one of the largest drug empires (with the help of thousands of employees) with business in locations across the country. The points of distribution included St. Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland, Seattle, and various cities throughout Texas, Indiana, and North and South Carolina. At the height of his career, Rick Ross exported several tons of cocaine to New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and made more than $600 million in the process. Considering inflation of the US dollar since the 1980s, in 2014 Rick Ross would have made over a billion dollars. With an empire reaching approximately 42 cities, in present-day dollars, Rick Ross’s gross earnings would have $2.5 billion with $850 million in profit. Ross’s career long dealer, Oscar Danilo Blandón, had close ties with the Nicaraguan Contras and was the link between the CIA and Contras during the Iran-Contra Affair. The Iran-Contra Affair was the secretly facilitated sale of weapons to Iran (subjects of an arms embargo) in hopes that the arms sales would release hostages and allow U.S. intelligence agencies to fund the Nicaraguan Contras, a guerrilla force supported by the Regan administration that sought to overthrow the Sandinista government of Nicaragua. Oscar Danilo Blandón was a key source of profit for the Contras through cocaine sales and was arrested on drug charges. After his arrest, he set up Freeway Ricky Ross who was also arrested on drug charges.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
As a fan of hip-hop music, I question rapper William Roberts’s decision to use the name of Freeway Ricky Ross. Roberts worked as a correctional officer before beginning his rap career so the use of the name may have been to depict a rougher persona. I do commend Roberts for doing his research on Freeway Rick Ross because many of his fans STILL don’t know that his stage name is the name of one of the biggest drug traffickers of the 1980s. Roberts’s use of the name Rick Ross is just an example of why consumers of hip-hop music should do their research on the lyrics and history of their favorite artists.
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Mine Fire in Turkey Kills 238
Mine Fire in Turkey Kills 238
A fire broke out in a Soma, Turkey mine on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, killing 238 people and leaving 120 trapped inside of the burning mine. Efforts to save the individuals inside the mine were complicated by the fire which began after a transformer blew up during a shift change. Managers believe that there were 787 people inside the mine at the time of the fire.
The people of Soma and the rest of Turkey are in shock after what has been declared the worst mine disaster in Turkish history. A mining incident in Kozlu, Turkey in 1992 killed an estimated 200 people. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned politicians not to use the mining accident as a political platform even as his political opponents awaited him with accusations about the tragedy.
Opposition politician, Ozgur Ozel, filed a proposal in April 2014 to investigate Turkish mines after repeated deadly accidents. Several dozen members of opposition parties signed on to his proposal, but the conservative government overturned it. Erdogan said the mine had passed safety inspections as recently as March. Owned by SOMA Komur isletmeleri A.S., the mine went under inspections regularly within the past three years. Two inspections were conducted in the month of March, said Turkey’s government, and inspectors reported no violation of health and safety laws. Opposition members believe that the reports are invalid.
On March 5, 1992, the Los Angeles time reported that 121 had been killed in a mine accident in Kozlu, Turkey and an estimated 150 were trapped in the burning mine. Even those who survived after the blast were predicted to suffer from the heat and toxic gas of the fire. The explosion occurred 1,850 feet below the surface and caused a one and a half square mile portion of the mine, Incirharmani, to collapse.
Apparently the early warning system of the mine did not work because the naturally occurring methane gas that caused the fired built up to a dangerous level 20 seconds before the explosion. Akin Gonen, the state minister for press relations at the time, reported that 101 were known dead and 75 were injured. It was later reported that 20 more bodies were discovered, bringing the total at the time to 121 individuals.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
There have been over 20 reported mine accidents in countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. In most cases the disasters are caused by leaks of poisonous gases, collapsing of mine stopes, flooding, improper use of explosives, or general mechanical errors. The damages done by the mine affect Turkey politically and economically. The country is affected politically because there are members of the opposition who believe that the fire was planned or that the inspection reports are false reports. Such accusations lead to skepticism about the integrity of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey (specifically Soma) is affected economically because the mine, owned by SOMA Komur isletmeleri A.S., was the largest coal producer in the region, mining 2.5 million tons of coal annually.
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Bitcoins May Be Used to Support Political Campaigns
The Federal Election Commission will consider a request this Wednesday that could open the floodgates for donors to make political contributions in Bitcoin in the upcoming mid-term elections. It's a sign of increased acceptance of the upstart currency, as more businesses and individuals are starting to embrace Bitcoin payments as an alternative to credit cards. Since there's no law that currently prevents the use of Bitcoin in elections, a handful of candidates and political groups say they're already accepting Bitcoin. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor in that state, said last week he'd accept donations in Bitcoin. The Libertarian Party also collects between $10,000 and $20,000 in bitcoin each year. It's a small percentage of the $1 million it raises annually, according to Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict. Bitcoin has grown in popularity in large part because Bitcoin transactions are anonymous. As Bitcoin comes of age, more government agencies are figuring out how to regulate it.
BACKGROUND/ HISTORY:
Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer payment system introduced as open source software in 2009 by an unidentified developer Satoshi Nakamoto. Although it does not meet the generally recognized definition of money, the digital currency created and used in the system is alternatively referred to as a virtual currency, electronic money, or a cryptocurrency. The bitcoin system is not controlled by a single entity, like a central bank, which has led the US Treasury to call bitcoin a decentralized currency. Bitcoin has been a subject of scrutiny amid concerns that it can be used for illegal activities. In October 2013 the US FBI shut down the Silk Road online black market and seized 144,000 bitcoins worth US$28.5 million at the time. The US is considered bitcoin-friendly compared to other governments, however. In China new rules restrict bitcoin exchange for local currency.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
It's not a good idea to accept bitcoins for campaign donations until it can be regulated by the government. There is nothing wrong with sending money anonymously but some bitcoins can be linked to illegal sales of drugs and property. It's unethical to use dirty money as a contribution to a political campaign.
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Philadelphia Drug Ring in the Suburbs
Two Pennsylvania men have been charged with widespread drug distribution. Timothy C. Brooks, 18, and Neil Scott, 25, allegedly sold cocaine, marijuana, hash oil and ecstasy at several Philadelphia-area high schools and colleges. At least eight students were employed by the pair, including two minors, according to the Montgomery County district attorney's office. Officials claim Scott ran the operation, including shipping large amounts of marijuana from California to Pennsylvania, while Brooks supervised sub-dealers at area high schools. The public high schools of Conestoga, Radnor, Harriton and Lower Merion were also part of the ring, according to the district attorney's office. So, too, were nearby Gettysburg, Haverford and Lafayette Colleges. Brooks' attorney, in regards to his client, spoke of his troubling time. Timothy C. Brooks went to the University of Richmond in 2013 on a lacrosse scholarship then left after one semester. He said Brooks had gotten injured, after which he was at home, "idle and suffering from some depression" when he got involved with Scott "at a very susceptible, low point in his life." Including Scott and Brooks, eight people have been arrested in the case, an arrest warrant is out on another, and there are petitions for two juveniles. All but two of those arrested attended local schools such as Lafayette College, the Haverford School and local public high schools. They face a host of drug, criminal conspiracy and other charges.
BACKGROUND/ HISTORY:
Drug busts are more common in urban Philadelphia so it was shocking to officials when a suburban drug ring was busted. This incidence clears all ideas of "this can't happen here" in suburban areas. The arrests that were made follow an investigation that began in January. Authorities say seized text messages showed the suspects' plans to expand the business, with Scott giving Brooks business advice on how to expand marijuana sales in local high schools.The students arrested in this drug bust attend some of the finest institutions in the country and have taken some of the skills they learned to build this illegal enterprise.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
Drug rings are not limited to urban ghettos. When dealing with drug sales, people are often profiled based on appearance. If someone were to look at the students involved in this Philadelphia suburban drug ring, he/she wouldn't suspect that any of them were involved in such activities. This case justifies that urban influences have leaked into suburban life.
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Chris Brown's Trial Postponed
A Los Angeles judge refused a request to free Chris Brown from custody on Wednesday so he could make his own way back from Washington. Brown was taken to Washington in April for trial on an assault charge but that has been put on hold until the appeal of his bodyguard's conviction is completed. Chris Brown and his bodyguard, Chris Hollosy were arrested on assault charges in Washington for allegedly beating a man who tried to take a photo with Chris Brown in December 2013. The arrest let to Brown's probation bein revoked, but he was allowed to enter a rehab program instead of going to jail. After about four months in rehab, Chris Brown was ordered to jail in March when he was kicked out of the rehab facility. The delay in Brown's Washington trial came after prosecutors refused to grant immunity to Hollosy so he could testify without jeopardizing his own case. Hollosy's refusal to speak with prosecutors about his testimony is major reason for the decision not to grant immunity. Prosecutors also suspected that he might lie in his testimony to help Chris Brown.
BACKGROUND/ HISTORY:
Brown's legal troubles began on February 8, 2009 after assaulting his girlfriend, Rihanna, in Hollywood before their scheduled performance at the Grammys. In June 2009, Chris Brown agreed to plead guilty to a felony assault charge which included five years' probation. From June 2009 to February 2011, Brown managed to stay out of trouble. In March 2011, Brown stormed off the set of ABC's "Good Morning America" after Robin Roberts mentioned the assault on Rihanna. He then smashed his dressing room window and later apologized for his behavior. In February 2012, a woman filed a police complaint against Chris Brown and accused him of grabbing her phone after she took a picture of him but no charge was ever filed. Chris Brown allegedly got into an altercation with recording artist, Drake, in June 2012. It is rumored that it began with an argument about Rihanna whom both have dated. In January 2013, Brown was involved in a brawl against Frank Ocean but no charges were filed. Chris Brown and his bodyguard were accused of assaulting a man in October 2013 and Brown shortly entered a rehab facility. In March 2014, Chris Brown was kicked out of the rehab facility for violating facility rules.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
As a fan of Chris Brown, his behavior is a huge concern. Ever since the incident with Rihanna in 2009, he has paid multiple visits to court and jail. This is not Chris Brown "just acting out" for attention or his desire to portray a "bad boy" role. Mentally and emotionally, Chris Brown is suffering and it is going to take more that a few months in a rehab facility to help him. Although it is a start, Chris Brown's needs supersede the needs that can be met through rehabilitation. He is a very talented performer and it is a shame that his talent is being overshadowed by his outrageous behavior.
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Apple and Samsung Go Back to Court....AGAIN!
One of technology’s most fierce rivalries continues as Apple and Samsung begin a new trial in court – accusing each other of stealing designs and features. In the new trial, Apple is seeking $2 billion from Samsung, claiming infringement of five patents by Samsung devices sold in the US between 2010 and 2012. The devices include Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Samsung is claiming infringement of two of its patents by the iPhone and iPad.
"There's a widespread suspicion that lots of the kinds of software patents at issue are written in ways that cover more ground than what Apple or any other tech firm actually invented," Notre Dame law professor Mark McKenna said. "Overly broad patents allow companies to block competition."
In the case, Apple claims Samsung took a tap-from-search technology that allows someone searching for a telephone number or address on the web to tap on the results to call the number or put the address into a map. It also points to a Google Quick Search Box in the Android-powered Galaxy Nexus steals from patented technology used by virtual assistant Siri to answer queries in the iPhone. It also claims patents on autocorrection when words are typed. In addition, Apple says Samsung copied "Slide to Unlock," which allows users to swipe the face of their smartphone to use it.
Samsung countered that Apple is stealing a wireless technology system that speeds up sending and receiving data.
The most attention-grabbing claim in the case is Apple's demand that Samsung pay a $40 royalty for each Samsung device running software allegedly conceived by Apple, more than five times more than the amount sought in the previous trial and well above other precedents between smartphone companies.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
The Apple-Samsung case will be tried less than two years after a federal jury found Samsung was infringing on Apple patents. Samsung was ordered to pay $929 million but has been allowed to continue selling products using the technology after Judge Koh denied Apple a sales injunction pending appeal. Koh ruled then that there was no clear evidence that the specific patents which Samsung had been found to infringe actually drove sales.
Throughout the three years of litigation, Samsung's market share has grown. One of every three smartphones sold worldwide last year was a Samsung, now the market leader. Apple, with a typically higher price, was second, with about 15 percent of the global market. In the US, Samsung is now the provider of about a quarter of all smartphones in use, against 40 percent for Apple - making Samsung the second-largest smartphone maker there.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
I have had both a Galaxy (from Samsung) and an iPhone (from Apple) and from what I’ve seen as a user of both is that both companies have stolen ideas from the other. Each time one company comes up with a new feature the other company includes that feature in a newer model of phone and adds an additional feature. Both phones have their downsides, but Apple seems to make information more accessible and it is easier to handle for those who are technologically challenged.
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Boston Mayor Skips St. Patrick's Day Parade
Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh, whose parents were both Irish immigrants, refused to attend Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade after he failed to convince organizers to allow a gay veterans group to participate in the parade. "As mayor of the city of Boston, I have to do my best to ensure that all Bostonians are free to participate fully in the civic life of our city," Walsh said. "Unfortunately, this year, the parties were not able to come to an understanding that would have made that possible." Gay-rights groups haven't been allowed to participate in the march, hosted by the Allied War Veterans Council, in an exclusion previously ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. That status quo, however, which has been in place since 1993, has been tested as gay and lesbian equality issues have speedily won more support across the U.S. in recent years. Parade organizers said in a statement in early March that they declined an application from LGBT Veterans for Equality to march in the parade because "we were being misled by them," and expressed fears that the group would bring a political message to the nonpartisan parade.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
St. Patrick’s has been celebrated in America circa 1740, when colonists or Irish descent marked a parade. Parades on St. Patrick’s Day continued throughout the early 1800s, and the early parades would often consist of processions marching from parish churches in the city to the original St. Patrick's Cathedral. In the early 1870’s the parade became a political symbol with processions including soldiers. Today’s parades are similar to those held in 1890 and Boston is one of the major cities to host a parade each year. Marty Walsh is a Democratic mayor and supports equality for all sexual orientation. Due to the organizers’ failure to allow homosexual participants, Walsh was not the only to deny the invitation to attend Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. He, along with major companies and other political figures, did not show up to the parade.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
I completely respect Mayor Marty Walsh’s decision not to attend the parade. Turning down an event like the St. Patrick’s Day parade as the mayor of Boston is practically unheard of so it shows great definition of his character. It is an injustice for people not to be allowed to participate in a parade based off of their sexual orientation. It is surprising that such exclusion is still ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Hillary Clinton v. Paul Rand in 2016
For the Grand Old Party, Senator Paul Rand leads the 2016 election ticket with 16 percent of the Republican Party supporting him. He is closely followed by 2012 vice presidential nominee, Representative Paul Ryan who has 15 percent, and Texas Governor Rick Perry with 11 percent.
On the other hand, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the Democratic favorite with 63 percent of the voters’ support. Vice president Joe Biden follows with 13 percent. In a survey conducted by CNN, the percentage of people perceiving Clinton as a “strong leader” and a candidate “tough enough to handle a crisis” was higher than that of President Barack Obama.
Thus far, it has been predicted that Paul Rand and Hillary Clinton will be the two presidential candidates in the 2016 election.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
Paul Rand is a member of the Republican Party and the son of former U.S. Representative and presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas. Rand first received national attention in 2008 when making political speeches on behalf of his father, who was campaigning for the Republican Party's nomination for president.
A member of the Tea Party movement, Paul has described himself as a "constitutional conservative.” He opposes abortion and same-sex marriage but he believes the issue of same-sex marriage should be handled by the states.
Hillary Rodham Clinton is the wife of former president, Bill Clinton. She had been planning her candidacy for president since 2003. In the 2008 election, she was right behind President Barack Obama in the Democratic primary election. After the election of President Barack Obama, Clinton was appointed Secretary of State and continued to gain consistently high approval ratings. In 2013, she was voted the most admired woman by Americans for the twelfth time straight and the eighteenth time overall.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
It is no surprise that Hillary Clinton is leading in the Democratic Party. She has been working towards this goal since the end of her husband’s term in office. Although it has been over eleven years, Clinton has done diligent work since then and continues to do such as Secretary of State.
After doing further research on Paul Rand, it seems as if he plays the fence on certain issues, such as same-sex marriage. One thing that he is very firm on is his views about abortion and, being that he is a Tea Party conservative, it is expected of him to enforce his ideals on this issue.
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Disney Cuts Funding from Boy Scouts
Disney has given notice to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that it will end all funding to the group in 2015 because of a policy BSA membership enforces that bans gay Scout leaders. Although Disney does not give money directly to the BSA or its local councils, through its VoluntEARS program, Disney allows employees to do volunteer work in exchange for donations to the charities of their choice. Employees participating in the program will no longer be able to submit funds to BSA, but “the policy will not affect employees who volunteer with the Scouts,” said the company. Deena Fidas, the director of workplace equality for the Human Rights Campaign, noted that Disney’s decision “carries a unique weight. When you think about brands that exemplify childhood, you think of Disney, and with them dissociating with BSA, it speaks volumes of where we are with the views we want to send to young people.”
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
Disney has been funding the Boy Scouts of America for decades. According to Disney’s charitable guidelines, groups become ineligible to receive Disney funding if they “discriminate in the provision of services unlawfully or in a manner inconsistent with Disney’s policies on the basis of race religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation.”
Scout for Equality is a national campaign to end discrimination within the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts for Equality says Disney joins companies such as Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, Major League Soccer, Merck, Intel, UPS, Alcoa, AT&T who have ended partnerships with the Scouts.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
Disney made the most ethical decision by cutting funding for the Boy Scouts of America. In order to receive funding, an organization's policies must be in compliance with the the supporting company. Disney is a large company and losing funding from Disney can potentially harm the Boy Scouts troupes in surrounding areas. Disney's decision to cut funding to BSA was also a great business decision. There are many homosexuals supporting Disney financially as consumers and if Disney were to have not acted upon BSA's anti-gay Scout leader policy, they could have potentially loss those consumers.
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The Millennials
Millennials stand out amongst other generations for their optimism over America’s future. Classified as adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty, Millennials are marked by levels of detachment and distrust of traditional institutions. According to Paul Taylor, author of “The Next America,” millennials have strayed from the three key institutions of American society, political parties, organized religion, and marriage. Half of Millennials describe themselves as political independents and about three in ten say they are not affiliated with any religion. These are at the highest levels of political and religious disaffiliation recorded for any generation in the last twenty-five years. Millenials are also the generation most involved in social networking. Eighty-one percent are on Facebook with a median friend count of 250 people. Though friended on line, only twenty-six percent of millennials are married. That is a much lower percentage than when other generations were the same age.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
Authors William Strauss and Neil Howe, credited with coining the term “millennials” in 1987, declared millennials as individuals born between 1982 and 2004. Millennials are also called “Echo Boomers,” referring the generation’s relative size to the Baby Boomers. The generation has also been the given the names of “boomerang” generation or “Peter Pan” generation for the members’ tendency to delay some rites of passages into adulthood.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
As a millennial, I know that I have been allowed more freedom than the individuals of my parents’ and grandparents’ generations. The reason for the detachment of my generation, in my opinion, is the increasing use of technology. Focusing more on social networking and personal studies, millennials have been led astray from the pinnacles of our elders’ generations. Due to our strong dependence on our parents, millennials are more likely to return home after college or stay home instead of going to college.
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Same-Sex Marriages to Supreme Court
Legal campaigns for marriage equality are picking up speed and increasing the likelihood of a definitive Supreme Court test as early as 2015.
Since the beginning of 2014, in addition to the Virginia decision to cut laws limiting marriage equality, federal judges in Utah and Oklahoma have struck down those laws and a federal judge in Kentucky ruled that the state must recognizes same-sex marriages from other states.
Judges say that they see no legitimate justification for denying marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. The Supreme Court has said that states cannot validly base marriage laws on traditional religious disapproval of homosexuality. Jurists say that “marriage discrimination against loving and committed gay couple is indefensible under our Constitution.”
Since late 2013, political opposition to same-sex marriage has shifted. Instead of criticizing homosexuals, some Republican leaders are emphasizing the importance of voters having the final word.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in attempts to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman for all federal purposes. Citizens for Equal Protection v. Bruning (2005), noted that prohibiting recognition of same-sex relationships violated the Constitution. It was overturned on appeal by the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2006 which ruled that “laws limiting the state-recognized institution of marriage to heterosexual couples do not violate the U.S. Constitution.” However, after the Windsor v. United States case, the Supreme Court stated that “DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.”
Since 2010, eight federal courts have found that DOMA violates the U.S. Constitution. President Barack Obama supports the full repeal of DOMA. In 2011, the Obama Administration concluded that DOMA was unconstitutional and directed the U.S. Justice Department to stop defending the law in court.
In the past two decades, public support for same-sex marriage has increased and polls inidicate that 59% of Americans supports same-sex marriage.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
The United States Constitution does not limit its protection to heterosexual citizens. It is for the protection of all people, including gays and lesbians. Same-sex marriage should no longer be seen as a state issue. It is a federal issue. Same-sex couples being recognized in one state and not another further divides the nation. With the United States Constitution in mind, U.S. Congress needs to come to an agreement that same-sex marriages should be legal in all states. Basing a law off of religious views is invalid and takes away the constitutional right that was given to same-sex couples. It is one thing to voice an opinion based off religious views because, as U.S. citizens, we have all been given that right under the First Amendment. It is a completely different thing for legislation to consider religion over the Constitution in regards to same-sex marriage.
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My Brother's Keeper
President Barack Obama launched a government partnership with business and philanthropic groups aimed at keeping high-risk young black men on the right path.
Obama believes it to be important for the country to help minority youth gain the education and skills they need to become successful adults.
"It doesn't take that much, but it takes more than we are doing now," Obama said. "And that's what My Brother's Keeper is about."
As part of the program, Obama wants to adopt practices from communities throughout the country that are already working to mentor minority young men.
In support of the program, the Obama administration recruited several philanthropic groups — including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Ford Foundation and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation — to pledge at least $200 million over the next five years to develop programs on early childhood development, parenting, school discipline reform and other critical areas.
"There are ways to modify bad behavior that leads to good behavior," Obama said. "We can make classrooms good places for learning for everybody without jeopardizing a child's future."
While making the announcement, Obama recalled the bad choices he made, including “getting high” and not staying focused in school.
"I could see myself in these young men," Obama said. "The only difference was I grew up in an environment that was a little more forgiving."
During his presidency, Obama has faced criticism for having spent little political capital or energy focusing on poor minority communities. Since launching this initiative, Obama has received praise from African-American activists and lawmakers.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
President Barack Obama did not live in a rough neighborhood but he did live a challenging life. Many of his younger years were spent moving and his parents divorced before he turned three. Obama also struggled with the social perception of his multiracial heritage and eventually turned to alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine to ignore the questions of who he was.
Since his presidency, Obama has been accused of not being “black enough” because of his upbringing and Ivy League education. He believes that he is thought of being not “black enough” because of his ability to appeal to white people.
After doing research, President Barack Obama found that “young men of color, regardless of where they come from, are disproportionately at risk from their youngest years through college and the early stages of their professional lives. Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper to give less fortunate African-American men some of the tools and opportunities that he was granted as a youth.
BREYONCE KNOWS:
My Brother’s Keeper is long overdue in the United States, but I appreciate President Barack Obama for making this move. Young men of color are seen more as intimidating, criminal figures than they are seen as doctors, lawyers, and presidents. As a young woman of color, I believe that this program is essential to the community not only for African-American men, but for Hispanics as well. Both races are amongst those who have lower reading proficiency levels and those who have a greater risk of being victims of murder. Obama’s initiative to keep these young men off the streets and keep them in programs to supply them with the tools and skillsets needed for professional development is a great strategy to better the African-American community.
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TALLAHASSEE, FL - YouTube, headquartered in San Bruno, California, will be providing a paid subscription music service by the end of the year so record companies will reap bigger royalties. Subscriptions are estimated to be ten dollars each month and will be tailored to mobile devices.
“Mobile is becoming absolutely enormous for YouTube,” said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey. “The fact is that music has always been a medium that most people are going to want to carry with them and have available at all times. When you add the visual component of music video, you’re simply sweetening a pot.” YouTube is now one of the most dominant listening platforms for young people internationally. The subscription deal will allow record companies to earn bigger royalties on YouTube after complaints about low per-stream payouts. YouTube is now one of the most dominant listening platforms for young people internationally. The subscription deal will allow record companies to earn bigger royalties on YouTube after complaints about low per-stream payouts.
nytimes.com
Richard Greenfield, a BTIG media analyst said "YouTube is the number one music search directory in the world. The vast majority of the most-viewed videos on YouTube are music. It's natural evolution to figure out a way to generate increased engagement around music."
Mobile access to YouTube has skyrocketed. Google recently announced that forty percent of YouTube's traffic is mobile compared with six percent two years ago. Although the access to the site has increased, low advertising rates on tablets and smartphones have caused some music labels to block their content from those devices.
David Bakula, senior vice president of analytics for Nielsen, said the subscription would help YouTube's digital music avenue.
"Obviously YouTube understands the importance of the music consumer to their site," Bakula said. "The volume that we see coming from music streams on YouTube, that kind of volume comes with great potential, great potential for monetization, great potential for serving their viewers."
Emmanuel Hudson, a Mississippi native who resides in Atlanta, GA, is a YouTube personality, musician, songwriter, and cast member of Nick Cannon's Wild n' Out. He is well-known in entertainment for his songs "Questions" and "Ratchet Girl Anthem." When asked about YouTube's introduction of a paid music subscription he said: "I wasn't aware of that but if so, a lot of people will be getting paid, including me. I honestly feel like it would be a great step [for YouTube] to take because I promote positivity to the youth. And I'm growing to be a household name. So if the family enjoys me, YouTube will have more support from different ages. Most of my subscribers are on YouTube so I will use it to sell my music. It would be very convenient."
YouTube landed licensing deals for the service with Sony, Universal, and Warner, the three major record label groups. YouTube also struck deals with independent labels. Analysts say YouTube's success may depend on its ability to compete with services like Spotify, but YouTube will continue to provide free videos without subscriptions.
By, Breana J. Burnett
With contributions from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and BillboardBiz News.
Photo, NY Times
Video, Emmanuel Hudson (@_kosher)
EDUKATE YOSELF
