Racial Segregation: Righting the Wrong and Making Restitution

At a time in history when crime continues to decline, same-sex marriage is legal, and innovation is powering advances in technology and bioengineering – one issue fails to progress: racial justice. The unemployment rate for African-Americans continues to be more than twice that of whites. Public schools are more segregated now than they were inContinue reading “Racial Segregation: Righting the Wrong and Making Restitution”

Prison Reform, a Step Toward Racial Equality and Respect

Last month, President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to visit a federal prison as he begins pushing congress to reform the nation’s criminal justice system. Obama is urging meaningful sentencing reform, steps to reduce repeat offenders, and reform for the juvenile justice system to improve public safety, reduce runaway incarceration costs and makeContinue reading “Prison Reform, a Step Toward Racial Equality and Respect”

NY Fast food workers win $15 minimum wage

Fast food workers in New York are getting a raise! Hard work by our affiliates Citizen Action New York and Make the Road New York – along with dozens of other allied organizations and unions, and thousands of workers who took to the streets and shared their personal stories – has paid off  in a hugeContinue reading “NY Fast food workers win $15 minimum wage”

Fast Food Workers in New York are Getting a Raise!

Hard work by our affiliate Citizen Action of New York – along with dozens of other allied organizations and unions, and thousands of workers who took to the streets and shared their personal stories – has paid off  in a huge victory. Yesterday, the New York State Wage Board approved gradually raising the minimum wage for NewContinue reading “Fast Food Workers in New York are Getting a Raise!”

In Weighing Racial Discrimination, Consider Outcome, Not Just Intent

In the last two weeks, the Supreme Court handed down some monumental decisions: health care subsidies were upheld, ensuring millions will continue to see the benefits of the Affordable Care Act; and marriage equality became the law of the land, allowing LGBTQI people to marry. But, there was another major decision tucked in there, too:Continue reading “In Weighing Racial Discrimination, Consider Outcome, Not Just Intent”

“Feeding Ourselves” Connects Native American Health Disparities and Federal Policies

In 1940, diabetes among Native Americans was almost unknown. The disease began appearing in the 1950s and expanded until during the 1960s it became a common condition. Today, nearly every Native American is involved either personally with diabetes, or has family and friends with diabetes, According to a new report released today, Diabetes has beenContinue reading ““Feeding Ourselves” Connects Native American Health Disparities and Federal Policies”

Take Down the Confederate Flag – And Raise Up Medicaid Expansion

This opinion piece by LeeAnn Hall was originally published in Huffington Post. It’s tempting, this summery week, to sit and savor the sweet victory that was handed us by the Supreme Court in late June with the King v. Burwell decision. The court’s ruling protected the health care subsidies that allow 6.4 million people toContinue reading “Take Down the Confederate Flag – And Raise Up Medicaid Expansion”