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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: NAACP

NAACP stories: 15 news summaries

White Guy Runs Maine Chapter
of NAACP

From prison, that is— he says being a felon makes you a minority

(Newser) - The president of the NAACP doesn’t often go to Maine, the whitest state in the country. But recently Todd Jealous took the Washington Post to a state prison there, to meet his new favorite chapter—one comprised almost entirely of white convicts. It’s run by Billy Flynn,... More »

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race prison race relations NAACP race in prison Todd Jealous

Et tu, Barack? Teachers Lose Another Ally

Embattled unions don't want evaluation based on test scores

(Newser) - Teachers union members are fuming over President Obama's desire to stay the course and evaluate educators based on student test scores, McClatchy reports. Obama is even threatening to withhold California stimulus money unless the state enshrines the student-teacher performance link into law. "It takes more than the ability to... More »

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education Barack Obama California reform NAACP teachers' unions teachers Arne Duncan stimulus funds

Vick Plays Early, Gets Standing O in Philly Debut

He plays QB, receiver in Eagles offense; protests muted

(Newser) - Though there was a smattering of protesters both for and against Michael Vick, the convicted dog-killer got a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans when he made his Eagles debut on their first offensive series of tonight’s exhibition game, the Inquirer reports. Vick lined up at quarterback and wide... More »


 Vick's Fans, 
 Critics Plot 
 Rallies Ahead 
 of Eagles Game 

NAACP to march at stadium, while SPCA throws 'tailgate' party

(Newser) - Michael Vick’s first NFL game since his conviction for dog fighting has triggered strong reactions among animal and civil rights advocates in Philadelphia and they plan to let him know it, AP reports. Before he steps onto the field today as the Eagles’ quarterback, the Pennsylvania SPCA will throw... More »

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NFL Michael Vick football Philadelphia animal rights dogfighting SPCA Philadelphia Eagles NAACP

(Newser) - President Obama made his most direct appeal yet to black America with a rousing speech that sounded more like a sermon, the New York Times reports. Addressing the NAACP on its 100th anniversary, Obama said the "pain of discrimination" still exists in America, but he told black parents they... More »

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African Americans black culture civil rights NAACP President Obama

NAACP Accuses Banks
of Loan Discrimination

Blacks were forced into subprime mortgages, group says

(AP) - The NAACP is accusing Wells Fargo and HSBC of forcing black people into subprime mortgages while whites with identical qualifications got lower rates. Class-action lawsuits were to be filed against the banks today in federal court in Los Angeles. Similar NAACP lawsuits are pending against a dozen other subprime lenders.... More »

NAACP Demands Firing of Post Cartoonist

Controversy continues as NAACP threatens News Corp. boycott

(Newser) - NAACP leaders demanded the firing of the artist and editor responsible for the New York Post's controversial cartoon, reports CNN. Black leaders say the image draws on historically racist imagery by comparing President Obama to a chimpanzee. The NAACP has threatened boycotts of the Post and other News Corp. affiliates... More »

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Barack Obama New York Post editorial cartoons chimpanzees NAACP News Corp

ANALYSIS

In Court, Philip Morris Uses Civil-Rights Smokescreen

Tobacco giant plays civil-rights card in battle with Oregon court over $79M judgment

(Newser) - Philip Morris has cast itself as a civil-rights victim being denied due process, Stephanie Mencimer writes for Mother Jones. The tobacco giant, ordered by an Oregon jury in 1999 to pay $79 million in punitive damages to a woman whose husband died of lung cancer, has been fighting the award... More »

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cancer smoking Oregon habeas corpus Philip Morris NAACP tobacco companies US Supreme Court

(Newser) - The election is heating up in Virginia, with fake notices and lawsuits flying around the swing state. The majority black region of Hampton Roads has been blanketed with official-seeming fliers falsely stating that Democrats are to vote November 5, Talking Points Memo reports. And the NAACP has sued the state,... More »

Ga. Won't Stay Execution Despite Witness Reversals

Carter, clergy, NAACP have asked for life sentence for Troy Davis

(Newser) - A man sentenced to die tonight in Georgia is looking to the US Supreme Court after the state’s parole board and top court rejected clemency yesterday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Troy Anthony Davis was convicted in 1991 for murdering a police officer, but seven prosecution witnesses have since recanted... More »

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death penalty Pope Benedict XVI Jimmy Carter murder Georgia NAACP Troy Davis

Obama Against Reparations
for Slavery

Prefers schools, jobs; opposes legislation backed by NAACP

(AP) - Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders. The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the... More »

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Barack Obama black community slavery NAACP

 Obama to
 NAACP: 'Seize
 Responsibility' 

Candidate pushes home message on accountability at NAACP convention

(Newser) - Barack Obama stood firm on his message to blacks of personal responsibility in his speech to the NAACP convention yesterday, reports the Chicago Tribune. The candidate, accused by Jesse Jackson last week of "talking down to black people," revisited his theme of personal accountability while stressing that responsibility... More »

NAACP Names Youngest President Ever

35-year-old Benjamin Jealous prevails in contentious vote

(Newser) - The NAACP selected its youngest president ever today, picking 35-year-old Benjamin Jealous after a contentious 8-hour meeting. Jealous promised to bring financial stability to the organization by tapping his ties with top foundations nationwide. He said he will also "pull people into this movement" by focusing more on technology,... More »

 Wright Lashes Out at Media 

Pastor controversy rears up again for Obama and McCain

(Newser) - The controversial pastor who triggered trouble for Barack Obama delivered a fiery, unapologetic speech to a sold-out NAACP crowd in Detroit yesterday, blasting "corporate media" for painting him as un-American. "I am not running for the Oval Office," said the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.  "I have... More »

Harper Lee Awarded Medal of Freedom

Civil rights pioneer Hooks also receives highest civilian honor

(Newser) - Author Harper Lee and NAACP pioneer Benjamin Hooks yesterday received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, for their work for racial equality. Lee, 81, wrote the 1960 Pulitzer-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird, which challenged racism and was made into a powerful movie featuring Gregory Peck. The... More »

15 Stories