LDF News and Media Today:

A sampling of Race, Justice, Equality and Democracy in the news.

By Mel Gagarin

• AP: FBI investigator of civil rights era killings dies

Retired FBI agent Jim Ingram, who helped state and federal officials reopen long-dormant investigations of killings from Mississippi’s violent civil rights era, has died. He was 77.

• St. Louis American: National Urban League Looks to Expand Service

National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial, in his State of the Urban League address Aug. 29, said the 99-year-old civil rights organization must reset its mission to include all Americans as it looks to the future.

• People’s Weekly World: 2010 Census a Civil Rights Issue

Civil rights leaders nationwide are gearing up for the 2010 census, which they say is one of the most important issues facing the economic and political development of low-income working-class communities, especially people of color and immigrants.

• Enterprise News: The Challenging Pursuit of Equality

While the history of the United States is replete with examples of racism and discrimination, the nation has historically made steady, if not remarkable, progress toward achieving equality for its citizens.

• Law.com Boies Schiller Lawyer to Become ABA President-Elect

Topping Zack’s agenda is promoting diversity in the legal profession, boosting civics education in public schools and protecting the rights of Hispanics. Zack also hopes to use his bully pulpit at the 400,000-member professional organization to speak out for greater human rights and stronger justice systems in Latin America.

• Houston Chronicle: Rights group wants to block drivers license rule

A civil rights group is asking a federal judge to block new Texas driver’s license requirements for immigrants.

• The Root: The Real Affirmative Action Babies

Last Sunday, veteran Washington Post journalist Juan Williams and conservative author Shelby Steele wrote two opposing op-eds on the pending death of affirmative action. Williams opined that Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was too optimistic when she predicted that affirmative action, born with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, had at most 25 more years to live. And Steele argued that persistent racial inequality today between whites and African Americans is primarily a result of black underdevelopment rather than racism.  I think they both missed the mark.

Afternoon Blog Wrap-Up by Kasha Dragon:

• Hillary Clinton kicks off 11-day Africa tour

• Plaxico Burress indictment raises political questions

• Black “Super Model” Naomi Sims Dies

• Happy Birthday Mr. President

• The Destruction of the Black Middle Class

• New campaign aims to promote black child adoption

• Senate opens debate on Sotomayor for Supreme Court

• For The Modern GOP, It’s A Return To The “White Voter Strategy”

• White House Uses Video to Battle ‘Disinformation’