Monday, August 25, 2008

Civil Rights Roundup: 08/25/08

Your daily dose of civil rights and related news

An observant Jewish engineer was vindicated after being hounded by spying accusations, after a probe found he was targeted on basis of religion.

The Washington Post had a nice article up over the weekend on the experiences of other Black "firsts" (first astronaut, first Miss USA, first NBA player, etc.).

Also from the WaPo this weekend, an analysis of how voters perceive the theme of race popping up this cycle (focusing on Akron, Ohio).

The folks who know best whether it actually makes their communities safer -- the police -- are awfully reluctant to start enforcing immigration law on their own accord.

While thrilled at his path breaking candidacy, many Black supporters of Obama are beginning to worry it might take the wind out of the sails of further equal opportunity programs.

Even as New Orleans recovers, some streets still need to be patrolled by the National Guard.

We're still not very good at providing disability-accessible housing.

The New York Times editorializes about the now-scrapped self-deportation program.

Museums that focus on immigration history are trying to connect past to present.

New regulations seek to improve the quality of practicing immigration lawyers.

Affirmative action bans will be on the ballot in Nebraska and Colorado this election.

This year's DNC will be the youngest and most diverse ever.

This is a fascinating case out of Illinois dealing with whether a clause by a Jewish man disinheriting any descendant who married outside the faith is enforceable.

A Texas boy whose long hair (stemming from his Native American heritage) sparked controversy in a rural Texas town will be attending Kindergarten after all.

Feeling neglected in the public school system, more Blacks are electing to home school.

Gay marriage opponents are starting their campaign push to eliminate the institution from California.

The Houston Chronicle: "Chinese engineer shouldn't have died in agony in U.S. custody."

Pro-gun activists in Georgia are trying to repeal a law prohibiting folks from carrying guns in Church. They say the law has a racist past, but local Black leaders are accusing them of appropriating history to pursue a policy agenda deeply opposed by the Black community.

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