February 26, 2012 started out as any ordinary day for Sabrina Fulton.  Little did she know that her life had already taken a turn towards a dark place of no return.

Ms. Fulton’s 17 year old son Trayvon Martin lying dead in a morgue in Florida was about to become another face of what is still very wrong and unjust with our society and criminal justice system.   When the tragic news of my fellow fallen brother finally swept the national headlines, I couldn’t help but wonder if my own mother would someday be confronted with a similar horror.  After all, she has definitely expressed those concerns with me on numerous occasions.

It’s certainly feasible – I’m young, Black, and often walk through city streets – sometimes while wearing a hoodie.  I even have the audacity to travel throughout my America!  Why should my mother have to wonder and worry that I could be next?  For that matter, why should I?  Unfortunately, it’s because we both know that it doesn’t matter what I wear, how many degrees I earn, or polite gestures I extend–the bottom line is, I’m Black.  What does matter is attitude about race.

Individuals who are convinced that my life is of lesser or of no value, and those who believe in the stereotypes and lies perpetrated within politics, media and entertainment might easily make me the next Trayvon, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo or 16 year old Ramarley Graham who was gunned down a little over a month ago in the bathroom of his home in the Bronx, which is also my birthplace.

The deck is stacked heavily against us at every turn.  And while this dangerous “Stand Your Ground Law” can be used as a defense for the killing of anyone, Blacks are particularly vulnerable.  For this reason, I’m really interested to know how Democrats allowed it to slip through the cracks in so many states around the nation.  If the Democratic party wants the Black youth vote, they are going to have to do a much better job protecting our interests and our lives.  Both parties need to come together to overturn “Stand Your Ground” as well as “Stop And Frisk.”  These unconscionable laws should never have been enacted in the first place.

Let me be clear, I don’t want to be next.  I want what all of my peers want, to live and grow old in the America most politicians and citizens pretend exists.  My generation wants and deserves to be the living manifestation of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream that he shared with the world just before he himself was killed by an assassins bullet.

It’s time for real change.  As the 2012 elections rapidly approach, I intend to use every opportunity to join forces with seasoned leaders, concerned citizens and my peers whose mission it is to bring this madness to a long overdue end.  George Zimmerman, judge, jury and executioner, stalked and senselessly murdered young Trayvon Martin as he pleaded for help in the community his father, Tracy Martin, believed was a safe place.  As if that weren’t enough, the police failed to act at every level except to protect the assailant.

Anyone who thought that racism was officially over with the election of President Obama, just ask the parents of that innocent teenager with ebony skin who paid the ultimate price for walking to a nearby store to purchase Skittles and ice tea.

Roy Paul is a fast emerging and important political commentator, journalist, and analyst. His focus is on youth education, social and economic justice, and the advancement of African Americans in modern pop culture and politics. Recently he has interviewed the likes of Dr. Maya Angelou, former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, Lilly Ledbetter, Bertha Lewis, Dr. Elsie Scott, and has done features on Eartha Kitt, Madam C.J. Walker, Percy Sutton, and Marcus Garvey. He is a native New Yorker with an affinity for the arts and culture. He resides in Southeast Queens.

We support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz also supports marriage equality.  In 2008, then candidate Obama opposed gay marriage, but recently he has said that his view on the issue is “evolving.”  The inclusion of marriage quality in the official 2012 platform would make Obama’s eventual support of the issue all the more likely.

Susan G. Komen has received a huge backlash from the public and, in an amazing show of support, Planned Parenthood has received over $400,000 in donations since the news broke. Last year, Komen’s grant to Planned Parenthood totaled $680,000 (none of New York City’s Planned Parenthood locations received Komen funding). Several Komen state  affiliates have condemned Komen’s decision and in the Daily News, a Denver affiliate said they “are working hard on a local level to make sure this partnership stays intact, because we know how important these services are to the medically underserved women.”

In New York City, Council Speaker Christine Quinn said:
“Planned Parenthood helps tens of thousands of women nationwide identify breast cancer early when there is the best chance of successful treatment … Komen has been a trusted leader in the fight against breast cancer for many years. I’m disappointed that an organization which has done so much good for women and their health has capitulated to anti-choice ideologues and made a terribly damaging decision.”

Komen has sacrificed women’s health for politics. What can you do to help?

Sign this petition in support of Planned Parenthood.

If you have the means, donate to Planned Parenthood.

Get the word out! My Facebook and Twitter feeds are full of people voicing their support for Planned Parenthood. Join the discussion!

Interested in women’s issues? Join the MYD Women’s Issues Committee! Our next meeting is February 13th at 7 p.m. at our favorite Starbucks (Park Avenue at 29th Street). Email women@gomyd.com.

More than a century after Teddy Roosevelt outlined a vision for a “New Nationalism” in a Kansas town called Osawatomie, President Obama visited the same community to talk about what he called a make-or-break moment of the middle class.

He described how the world has undergone an economic transformation unlike any other in our collective history — and how that change has upended our expectations of social mobility in this country. Where professionals ranging from factory workers to travel agents to accountants once enjoyed the promise of a good job and steady income in exchange for their hard work, today they and a range of people like them must compete with new technology and individuals from around the world.

The Manhattan Young Democrats have been vocal in our opposition to this practice for years.  Click HERE to read the MYD Environmental Committee’s 2009 policy paper on the issue.

While it is heartening to see so many New Yorkers voice their opposition to hydrofracking, we still have a long way to go:

…barring an abrupt change of heart by Cuomo, it’s expected the DEC will move to finalize regulations and could begin issuing permits for hydrofracking sometime next year.

To get involved in MYD’s campaign against hydrofracking, join the Environmental and Animal Welfare Committee.

source: www.ny1.com

In was an on again, off again light rain that fell as we all stood on line to get into yesterday’s city council meeting on the living wage bill.  Movement slowed to a snail’s pace when the space for visitors inside the chamber filled up long before the meeting even began. Though despite the wait and the weather, neither factors greatly deterred the overwhelming majority of those who came in support of the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act from waiting out for an opportunity to go inside. While standing on that line you could sense that there was a lively and confident mood among supporters, probably still resonating from the amazing rally the night before at Riverside Church where 2,500 came to hear CEO of the NAACP Ben Jealous speak as to why the work this coalition was doing was so important to combating the issue of wage inequality quickly increasing in our city and and nation-wide. The energy in the air was all the convincing many of them needed to wait the length of time it took to get inside which ranged from 30 minutes to 1 hr 1/2 for others.

Once inside the debate was already in full swing, with a majority of the city council in attendance, questioning experts, businessman and union leaders from New York and around the country. Witnesses testified on both sides of the issue regarding the new amendments to the bill, how it would impact workers, business owners and the local economy.  (If you need a refresher on the details here is some information on the basics)

Since the Manhattan Young Democrats are long time supporters of the living wage bill and our organization is a founding member of the Living Wage NYC Democratic Caucus, we submitted testimony to make sure the voice of Young New Yorkers would be present in this discussion.

This was just a second hearing and how this will eventually shake out is still unclear. The proponents of this bill , as always, have made themselves available for reasonable suggestions from the developer and business community. As active participants and organizers we look forward to seeing how those discussions pan out if and when the opponents are interested in coming to a compromise – something they were willing to do not that long ago.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning how to get involved please feel free to email me at vp@gomyd.com.

Happy Thanksgiving

According to an administration official, Mr. Obama will kick off his new offensive in Las Vegas, ground zero of the housing bust, by promoting new rules for federally guaranteed mortgages so that more homeowners, those with little or no equity in their homes, can refinance and avert foreclosure.

And Wednesday in Denver, the official said, Mr. Obama will announce policy changes to ease college graduates’ repayment of federal loans, seeking to alleviate the financial concerns of students considering college at a time when states are raising tuition.

In the face of the monumental economic and political challenges facing our country, taking these common-sense steps to help the people needing aid at this time is a bold, decisive move from our President.

UPDATED: Check out The White House’s Blog for more information on Monday’s announcement.

[Tuesday] morning my interview with National Public Radio aired across the country. In it I advocated for those involved in the protest movement to call for a tax increase on wealthy individuals and corporations – something similar to Obama’s “Buffet Rule” and the Millionaire’s Tax here in New York State to pay for social and job programs. It’s time for all of us to pay our fair share towards a prosperous nation.

As the protesters move social consciousness to the left, it’s up to political activists and legislators to grab onto that movement to push policy to the left. For too long the tea party has pulled our nation – and our president – too far to the right. It is my hope that these popular and widespread protests will give our country’s politicians the courage they need to stand up for what our nation needs… tax reform, ethics reform, and bold investments in our people and infrastructure. I believe that the bigger and more sustained this peaceful movement becomes, the more attention the media will give and the more likely the political process is to respond. I do not advocate for any kind of hostility or unlawful activity. I am not against anyone. However, I do believe in standing up for what is right and for those in need.

On Wednesday I will stand with debt-ridden students, environmentalists, public employees, and many talented yet unemployed Americans in marching (with a legal permit to do so) from the steps of City Hall down to Wall Street in a massive showing of solidarity. I hope you will join me either in person or with a virtual action online.

Community and Labor March From City Hall to Wall Street

Wednesday, October 5 · 4:30pm – 7:30pm

March with us! Meet at the corner of Church & Chambers at 4:30 PM. Look for the “Democracy for New York City” banner.

March Sponsored By:
United NY, Strong Economy for All Coalition, Working Families Party, VOCAL-NY, Community Voices Heard, Alliance for Quality Education, New York Communities for Change, Coalition for the Homeless, Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP), TWU Local 100, The Job Party. NYC Coalition for Educational Justice. The Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center, The New Deal for New York Campaign. National People’s Action, ALIGN, Human Services Council, Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State. Citizen Action of NY, MoveOn.org, SEIU 1199. CWA 1109, RWDSU, Communications Workers of America, Democracy for NYC, United Auto Workers, United Federation of Teachers, Professional Staff Congress – CUNY, National Nurses United, Common Cause NY. Writers Guild East. New Bottom Line, 350.org, Tenants & Neighbors, CWA Local 1180, Resource Generation, Greater NYC for Change

Online Solidarity Action by the American Dream Movement and MoveOn:

http://www.civic.moveon.org/joinvirtualwallstreet/

Download and Read the Facts via WhiteHouse.gov

Download and Read the Extended Facts via The White House

Voter ID legislation has been a major area of debate among state legislators for years, however action had picked up considerably after the Supreme Court decision in 2008. In a 6-3 vote, the court ruled in favor of Indiana being allowed to uphold their own Voter ID law after Indiana State Democrats brought suit against them based on what they saw as the foundation for disenfranchising voters. In 2011 alone we have seen own fair share of changes:

So far this year, all but a few of the 20 states that didn’t already have a voter ID law took up legislation to impose the requirement, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Of these, two states — Kansas and Wisconsin — enacted such laws, while similar bills await gubernatorial action in New Hampshire and North Carolina.

Meanwhile, 14 of the 27 states that already had voter-identification laws on the books sought to further strengthen them. Four of these states — Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas — succeeded, although the U.S. Department of Justice must approve the South Carolina and Texas laws before they can take effect.

You can view an interactive map with information on up-to-date Voter ID legislation for each each state by clicking here

The article discusses why Democrats in Rhode Island, members of a party who traditionally have been staunch opponents of Voter ID laws, would get behind this kind of legislation. Suggestions range from effective testimonials given by people who claimed to have witnessed voter fraud to the emergence of a more moderate agenda when you’re the dominant, “Big-Tent” party in the state. Regardless, Rhode Island has put Democrats in an uncomfortable spot – do we support their actions or view this as a rogue branch that has taken the wrong side on an important issue? Also is this going to be a problem that drags on Democrats nationally? While our opposition to voting barriers is an definitive way to draw clear governing differences between Republicans and Democrats on the value of protecting the right to vote, Rhode Island Democrats might be showing us a way to take a wedge issue out of the hands of GOP opponents running in moderate districts in future elections. While Republicans concentrate on generating fear of a voter fraud onslaught to create logistical and economic hardships for likely (democratic) voters to cast ballots, once again Democrats can take leadership and incubate in a fairly liberal state a pragmatic approach to finding a middle way.

Personally I believe the push for Voter ID is an obstruction of our basic right as citizens but out of the 29 states that feel otherwise, Rhode Island’s approach appears to be the most equitable. A closer examination of Rhode Island’s law reveals regulations not nearly as oppressive or restricting as similar laws passed by GOP-lead states such as Texas and Tennessee . Compared along side each other, Rhode Island’s law allows multiple forms of Photo ID to qualify and in the event the voter does not have a Photo ID, the state will still accept and approve a provisional ballot with a signature that matches the voter registration card. Republicans in Texas and Tennessee enacted draconian regulations with a rigid list of permissible ID’s and no exceptions based on a voter’s registration signature match. Their timelines for enacting their new laws are respectively harsher with Texas and Tennessee moving to implement this law Sept 1^st (Texas) and Jan 1 2012 (Ten) and Rhode Island allowing for a slow phase in to be completed by 2014.

Fighting against the erecting of barriers between citizens and their voting booths is one of the main pillars of our national Democratic Party, but Democrats in Rhode Island decided to go a different route. The results of their work and the motives of their actions will be under review for sometime but at the very least local legislators seemed to have taken great pains to address possible verification problems and hampering the chances of widespread voter dissatisfaction. So where the fight is hardest, in conservative states that do not seek to make those safeguards against disenfranchisement, lets hope Rhode Island’s example serves as a counterweight to the oppressive systems being laid out elsewhere.