Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude

barbara lee

Coronavirus, News

Democratic Lawmakers Ask HHS to Allocate Portion of COVID-19 Relief Funds to Grassroots Groups in Communities of Color

In the midst of a vaccine rollout plagued by slowdowns as well as lingering suspicions from Black Americans and others about trusting the government’s response, Democrats are calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to direct funds from the recently passed $900 billion COVID relief bill to grassroots organizations in communities of…

By

Ishena Robinson

Published

January 13, 2021
Politics

Gov. Newsom Appoints California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to Replace Kamala Harris in U.S. Senate

Before becoming the first Black female vice president in U.S. history, Kamala Harris was the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate and only the second to serve in the Senate ever. So it should come as no surprise that Black people—including 28 civil rights leaders, Black Lives Matter officials and California’s Legislative Black Caucus—called…

By

Zack Linly

Published

December 22, 2020
Culture, Health

More Places Are Naming Racism as a Public Health Crisis. Here’s How to Make That More Than Lip Service

When Milwaukee County declared racism a public health crisis last year, the news didn’t make a lot of waves. The decision, signed into law by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele in May 2019, was regarded as an overdue and necessary step by local officials, who noted the county’s documented racial disparities in employment, education, incarceration,…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

September 15, 2020
Politics

The Boldness of Barbara Lee: Why the Congresswoman Is Still Pushing ‘Against the Odds’ for Systemic Change

Say what you will about Barbara Lee, but one thing you can never accuse the California congresswoman of is backing down from a fight. Despite a congressional stalemate that has left Americans without another aid package during a recession and a global pandemic, Lee is still putting forward legislative proposals that center Americans of color…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

September 9, 2020
Politics

Exclusive: Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Barbara Lee Unveil Historic Legislation Confronting Public Health Impact of Structural Racism

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) announced on Thursday a new plan that would declare racism a public health issue. Dubbed “the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2020,” the legislation is the first of its kind and would harness the power of the Centers for Disease Control…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

September 3, 2020
Politics

Democratic Congresswomen Deliver Powerful Remarks in Response to Sexist, Abusive Comments Targeting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-Tex.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) were among those who gave rousing speeches on the House floor Thursday in support of progressive New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who excoriated a male, Republican colleague after he called her a sexist slur earlier in the week. Republican Congressman Ted Yoho, who represents Florida’s 3rd district,…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

July 23, 2020
News

Georgia Officials Investigate Note Left at Ahmaud Arbery Memorial; Lawmakers Press DOJ for Civil Rights Investigation

The unsigned note was simple, but haunting: “Ahmaud—I am so sorry. I should have stopped them. I am so sorry.” Left at a memorial for Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Georgia man ambushed and killed by two white men in February, the note instantly provoked questions. Arbery family attorney Lee Merritt circulated it Wednesday on Twitter,…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

May 15, 2020
Politics

For Lawmakers, Protecting Black and Brown People from a Recession Hinges on Passing Rent Protection Legislation

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to pick apart black and brown communities at devastating rates, California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and other lawmakers are fighting fiercely to protect communities of color from one of the most devastating effects of a looming recession: losing their homes. As Politico reports, Waters, who chairs the House Financial Service Committee,…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

May 4, 2020
Coronavirus, News

Rep. Barbara Lee Wants to End Evictions for Renters for as Long as We Are in Crisis Mode

On Monday, The Root reported that a 60-day moratorium on evictions issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may mostly protect homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to the coronavirus crisis, but not so much for renters, leaving it to local governments to pick up the slack. Fortunately for the estimated…

By

Zack Linly

Published

March 24, 2020
Beauty + Style

Seeking to End Hair Discrimination Nationwide, Cory Booker and Colleagues Bring the CROWN Act to Congress

After successfully passing in California and New York with at least six more states pending, the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) may soon be signed into law nationwide—that is, if presidential hopeful Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and several of his congressional colleagues have their way. As reported by Insider…

By

Maiysha Kai

Published

December 5, 2019