ColorLines blogger Akiba Solomon writes that a radical national movement called Personhood Mississippi is using Dred Scott’s fight for freedom to convince voters to outlaw abortion. Now a cell of this national movement called Personhood Mississippi is using the infamous Dred Scott decision of 1857 to convince Mississippi voters to outlaw abortion in the state…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon gives a nod to an FBI advisory board for its recent vote to update the agency’s 81-year-old “ridiculous” definition of rape. In the past, rape related only to women, she writes.  The current definition, which I’ve cited in this space multiple times and will continue to do…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon discusses the far-reaching repercussions of a proposed amendment, Proposition 26, to the Mississippi State constitution that would declare any fertilized egg a person with legal rights. She says the measure is anti-choice and does not address criminal circumstances, female anatomy or biology. On Tuesday, November 8th, Mississippi…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon discusses violence, terror and discrimination experienced by the transgender community during a particularly violent year in Washington D.C. She interviews several and tells their poignant stories. This year was a bloody one for transgender women of color in Washington, D.C. In late July, Lashai McLean was shot to…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon laments a decision by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to squash the FDA’s decision to allow girls under 17 to buy emergency contraception without a prescription. She cites four ways in which the decision may harm young women of color. 1. Black and brown…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon writes that pro-choice advocates should prepare to battle for reproductive rights for women of color in the coming year. She says that given assaults lobbed by anti-choice advocates, the issue is sure to play a pivotal role in the 2012 presidential election. I’m not a psychic, cable…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon examines the recent Washington Post series, “Black Women in America,” saying it skims the surface. It doesn’t cover issues such as structural racism or why reductive ideas about black womanhood have been created. … While the article briefly covers underemployment, tokenism and the stereotype of the “welfare…

In a blog entry at ColorLines, Akiba Solomon delivers strong criticism of the Susan G. Komen breast-cancer charity’s decision to discontinue funding for preventive breast-cancer screening exams at Planned Parenthood. She says it’s part of the GOP’s continued assault on the poor. Even if radical anti-choice politics didn’t motivate Susan G. Komen for the Cure…

In a blog entry at Ebony, Akiba Solomon excoriates Chris Brown and Rihanna for making a mockery of domestic violence with the release of their musical collaborations. While they both display common traits of abuse victims and abusers, she says that fans should ignore their moneymaking and attention-seeking antics. … And besides, their fame dragged…

ColorLines blogger Akiba Solomon challenges adults to do more to help children develop healthy attitudes toward sex at a time when the media are inundated with exploitative images of girls, and manhood is identified with promiscuity and sexual aggression.  I had one of my first major lessons about gender and power dynamics in third grade…