The RaceWire Beat - 11.28.06

Democrats Could End Discriminatory Prison Sentencing Rules
Prison reform advocates say that the new Democratic majority in Congress may end America’s sentencing policy, which has black defendants receiving substantially more prison time for drug possession.

Latinos Help Elect First Hmong City Council Member in California
For the first time in California, a Hmong immigrant was elected to the City Council. Latinos, who make up 40 percent of the population of Fresno, helped ensure his victory.

UMass Professor Starts Ethnic-Crop Program
Combining a flair for market research, an interest in emerging immigrant communities and his skills as a plant scientist, Mangan has been figuring out ways for Massachusetts farmers to grow new crops that satisfy the appetites of new Americans settling in the state.

Activists urge boycott of the ‘N-word
Black leaders mount campaign over Michael Richards’ comments. But others say banning the word goes too far.

The RaceWire Beat is a digest of the day’s top news stories on race and politics collected by the staff at ColorLines magazine.