A Tale of Two Economies

by Imara Jones on March 20 2013, 8:23AM

Economic cheerleading of late would lead you to believe happy days are here again. Not for everybody.

Topics: Economy

10805 Comments

5 (Fun) Things You Should Know About March Madness Right Now

by Jamilah King on March 19 2013, 11:15AM

Sure, there are plenty of things to critique about the institution and politics of college basketball. But that doesn’t mean March Madness isn’t exciting to watch. Here, some fun, slightly random facts about this year’s tournament, which starts today.

Topics: Arts & Culture, March Madness

10787 Comments

Will Arming Women Prevent Rape? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on March 19 2013, 10:11AM

Zerlina Maxwell went on Fox News and put rape culture on blast. Was her message effective? The Colorlines community responds.

Topics: Criminal Justice

10763 Comments

Dispatch From Brooklyn: Fraying Patience With NYPD’s Protection

by Jamilah King on March 18 2013, 11:03AM

As the department’s stop-and-frisk program heads to court this week, the scene in Flatbush reveals just how tired many communities have become of the city’s policing style.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Dispatches, Stop-and-Frisk

10784 Comments

On ‘Gideon’s’ 50th, a Crisis in Public Defense Deepens Racial Inequality

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 18 2013, 9:30AM

Fifty years ago today, “Gideon v. Wainwright” locked in poor peoples’ right to court-appointed counsel. Too bad the public defense system it wrought has failed to keep pace with drug-war policies that have led to the mass incarceration of black and brown people.

Topics: Criminal Justice

10774 Comments

Why Immigration Policy Is ‘Sexclusionary’ (and How To Fix It)

by Pramila Jayapal on March 18 2013, 9:05AM

The U.S. immigration system boxes women out in several ways, from the type of work it recognizes to the pressure it places on families. Here’s how Congress can make reform work for everybody.

Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform

10783 Comments

Will EPA’s ‘Environmental Justice’ Outlast Lisa Jackson?

by Brentin Mock on March 14 2013, 10:21AM

As head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson was explicit about protecting people of color and low income communities from excess pollution and waste. This made her unpopular in some corners. Will her EJ legacy survive her exit?

Topics: Environment

10766 Comments

Black Lawmakers Demand an End to Prison-to-Deportation Pipeline

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 13 2013, 10:09AM

Despite the alleged wall between African Americans and black immigrants, the CBC has made immigration reform a priority this year. The caucus has joined grassroots advocates in their demand for a new migration system and an end to the prison-to-deportation pipeline

Topics: Immigration Reform

10747 Comments

Report: NYPD Spy Program Traumatized Muslim Communities

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 12 2013, 8:48AM

A new report documents the human impact of the NYPD’s sprawling Muslim surveillance program. Though there’s no evidence that the spying stopped acts of terrorism, the report found that it has stoked fear and mistrust in schools, neighborhoods—and mosques.

Topics: Criminal Justice, NYPD Spying, Wealth Gap

10754 Comments

Can New York Shame Teens Out of Getting Pregnant? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on March 11 2013, 8:16AM

Are New York’s controversial new ads to stop teen pregnancy racist? Colorlines readers sound off.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality, Health

10741 Comments