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An Education in Care: HBO Documentary Explores One Woman’s Wake Up Call When it Comes to Racial Disparities in Health Care

The Editors — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:44:59 +0000

By Tarice L. S. Gray
In 2011, there were nearly 3 million breast cancer survivors in this country. Dee Dee Ricks is one of them. She's the subject the HBO documentary "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks" which walks us through her treatment and charges that the health care system doesn't play fair.

On Black Women’s Beauty . . . and the Beast(s) Within

The Editors — Tue, 24 May 2011 22:05:45 +0000

By Stacey Patton My Dear Sisters, Over the past week or so I’ve read many tweets, Facebook postings, blog rants, and online petitions in response to Psychology Today’s posting of a ‘scientific’ study – “Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women” by Satoshi Kanazawa. The reaction to Kanazawa’s armchair psychobabble which was [...]

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Case

The Editors — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:03:13 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether the lawsuit of female employees of Wal-Mart pressing a sex-discrimination claim against the retail giant could go to trial as a class-action.

Unofficial ‘Apology’ to Recy Taylor Falls Short of Desired Mark

The Editors — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:58:34 +0000

By TaRessa Stovall
Why a personal instead of an official apology for the lack of justice in a Jim Crow attack whose victim is still alive…and waiting?

Domestic Violence and the Recession: A Troubling Combination for the Black Community

The Editors — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:25:40 +0000

By Tarice L.S. Gray
Does the economic downturn mean an increase in domestic violence? The recession and its aftermath has been blamed for a rise in domestic violence. One in every four women in this country could be a victim, and it may be getting worse.

AIDS-Ravaged Africa Now Offers Best Hope for the Future

The Editors — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:17:24 +0000

By George E. Curry Medical trials now underway in the very region most ravaged by the virus hold the best prospect of finally controlling the disease for which there is no known cure.

Science, Sex & Safety: Black Bodies as Proving Grounds, Battlegrounds

The Editors — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:49:24 +0000

By TaRessa Stovall A trio of new products designed to protect against rape and STDs, especially HIV/AIDS, raises questions about the gaps and conflicts between scientific progress, lifestyle logistics and human nature. These recent developments also call into question the age-old role of Black bodies as test sites for potential progress.

New Discovery In AIDS Research Promises To Sharply Reduce HIV Infections in Women and Girls

The Editors — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:37:08 +0000

By The Editors
Researchers in South Africa announced this week the development of a vaginal microbicidal gel that in clinical trials has sharply reduced the possibility of women contracting H.I.V. from infected partners.

Silent Sisters

The Editors — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:38:55 +0000

By Jill Nelson As a black woman feminist, more often than not to say in public what I actually think about policy or politics, and particularly to challenge the designated roles black women are assigned in this culture, results in being attacked and dismissed as overbearing, demanding, intimidating, emasculating, or in contemporary, all-inclusive jargon, a hater. The sad truth is that too often black men seem most comfortable when black women in the public sphere are silent, long-suffering, old, or all of the above.

Georgia Bill to Restrict Abortion Defeated in the House

The Editors — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:40:22 +0000

By TaRessa Stovall The anti-abortion movement, which made recent headlines for controversial billboards targeting African-American women in Georgia, suffered a setback on April 30 when Bill 1155, referred to as “The OB/GYN Criminalization and Racial Discrimination Act” failed to move forward in the Georgia House of Representatives after having been passed by the Senate.

Are Anti-Abortion Groups Targeting Black Women?

The Editors — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:50:04 +0000

By Jill Nelson On March 10 the judiciary committee of the Georgia House passed the Georgia Pre-Natal Non-Discrimination Act, HB 1155, which seeks to ban the solicitation of women of color by abortion providers, even though there is no evidence that abortion providers do so.

No Money in the Bank: Black Women, Wealth and Assets

The Editors — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:33:10 +0000

By C. Nicole Mason If the average single black woman went to the bank and withdrew her wealth, she would only withdraw $100.00. And nearly half of single black women have zero or negative wealth—meaning if they inserted their cards into an ATM machine, it would more than likely be rejected.

International Women’s Day: Crossing Bridges for Women Around the World

The Editors — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:59:30 +0000

By TaRessa Stovall Each step I took across the Brooklyn Bridge on a sunny Monday, March 8, brought me closer to survivors whose strength and resilience are as miraculous as they are uplifting. With hundreds of women and men of all colors and ages, we crossed this landmark in unison to pay tribute to women who have survived every atrocity of war and whose lives and stories invite each of us to stand and walk and work for peace.

Will the ‘Real’ Michelle Obama Please Stand Up?

The Editors — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:50:28 +0000

By Jill Nelson One could ask that question of Michelle Obama, but without expectation of the satisfying “reveal” provided by the game show. Not only are the stakes way too high, but the object of our attention and affection is too smart, pragmatic, in control, and cognizant of history and her own recent experience to fall for the fleeting drama of full disclosure.

The Business of You: Fat Chance of Survival

The Editors — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:44:36 +0000

By Jackie Jones Over the past 20 years, cancer death rates for men have decreased by 21 percent for men and 15-16 percent for women, but increasing obesity rates threaten to reverse those trends, especially for African-American women, according to Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

From Orange Mint and Honey to Sins of the Mother: The Power of Story Endures

The Editors — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:08:34 +0000

By Carleen Brice It is 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 and I am listening to Jill Scott’s song, Try, a lot. I’m writing my first novel while holding down a job, and editing an anthology about black women and midlife.

From Don Imus to Michelle Obama, the 2000s Will Go Down as a Decade to Remember for Black Women

The Editors — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:07:07 +0000

By C. Nicole Mason
The 2000s were a mixed bag for African-American women. From Venus and Serena Williams to Condoleezza Rice to Michelle Obama to Don Imus’ infamous nappygate, the 2000s will go down as the decade of both opportunity and setbacks for black women. This decade retrospective looks at the top ten events that shaped how we view black women in society, our communities, and in pop culture.

Chemical Relaxers: The Facts Might Not Be So Relaxing

The Editors — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:18:48 +0000

By Janet Singleton Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair caused bad feelings last summer for many black female film-goers, who felt more betrayed than they did fairly portrayed by the film. Lost in all of the earsplitting debates and viral blog posts, was any deeper discussion of the health implications for black women and girls who use hair straightener

Better to Have Reproductive Rights and Not Need Them: The Scary Truth About the Stupak-Pitts Amendment

The Editors — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:50:32 +0000

By Rev. Susan Newman One of the best lessons my mother taught me as a child is “It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.” This is how I feel about the looming threat of abortion restrictions being reintroduced in the Health Care Reform bill when debate begins on the Senate floor.

To Chris Rock and Beyond: Reactions, Responses and Ruminations on ‘Good’ Hair

The Editors — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:46:24 +0000

By The Editors Comedian/actor Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair, reportedly inspired by his daughter crying and asking him, “Daddy, why don’t I have good hair?” opened last week to great acclaim. Here, a group of black women writers share their varying reactions and responses to the film and their insights into the perpetually controversial topic of the politics and dynamics of hair.

Cashed Out: Joblessness Among Black and Latino Women

The Editors — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:59:39 +0000

By C. Nicole Mason
Recent reports on the recession continue to highlight the disproportionate impact of the downturn on men in comparison to women with regard to job loss and unemployment. However, black and Latino women know that when it comes to unemployment, finding a decent job that pays well has as much to do with race, as it has to do with gender.

Toward a New View of Muslim Women

The Editors — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:27:26 +0000

By Nura Sediqe
President Obama's words in his June 4 address in Cairo, Egypt have brought a refreshing change in the rhetoric that is commonly utilized when discussing women and Islam. They were only a few simple lines in a long and extensive speech addressing a variety of pressing policy issues, but for Muslim women like myself, there was a pause....while we were all thinking, "Did he really just say that?"

Chris Brown and Rihanna: The Next Ike and Tina?

The Editors — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:02:47 +0000

By Esther Armah We know Ike and Tina's story. We're still learning Chris and Rihanna's. And that of every other black girl who knows Rihanna's bruises intimately, who has stared in the mirror at unrecognizable features.