politics

When we look at Black history throughout Black History Month, we must reflect on the legislation and Supreme Court rulings that have played an invaluable role in the current structure in the lives of Black Americans today. Legislation within the United States has been an active force in limiting the freedoms of Black people throughout the years by systematically carving out various components of Black American lives, from HBCUs to predominantly Black neighborhoods. Examining the significant legislation and court rulings that have influenced the progression of African American history recognizes Black survival and the creation of Black American culture in the midst of the institutional powers never working in their favor.Here's a combination of seven Supreme Court cases and acts of legislation that changed history and still impact Black Americans today.1. The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807Congress enacted this law to prevent any new slaves from being brought into the United States. Although the act did not physically stop slavery from happening within the U.S., its enactment contributed largely to the end of the transatlantic slave trade. With growing populations of enslaved Black people able to sustain the country’s economy, this act made a clear political distinction between bringing enslaved people from Africa and the Caribbean and owning enslaved people as property. 2. The 13th AmendmentIn 1865, the 13th Amendment overturned decisions, such as the legality of slavery established via the Dred Scott v. Sanford case. It reads, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction," essentially abolishing slavery — except as punishment for a crime. The verbiage in the 13th Amendment has been used as justification for mass incarceration, which effectively operates as a modern-day slavery machine. To date, Black people are incarcerated at a rate that's five times higher than white people.3. The Morris Land Grant Colleges Act of 1890When this act was first made into law in 1862, it granted federal funding to those who sought land to build higher education institutions. Once built and opened, these colleges and universities refused to admit Black people. After complaints of racial discrimination, another land grant act was passed in 1890, forcing each state that sought or received federal funding for these land grants to prove that their denial of Black Americans into their institutions was not based on race. If it was discovered that racial discrimination played into the assessment of applications, then a higher education institution had a choice: They could either return their federal funding or build a university that catered to Black students. Ultimately, this led to the development of historically Black colleges and universities across the southeastern U.S., which still remain intact today.4. Brown v. Board of Education of TopekaIn 1954, Brown v. Board of Education ruled that schools could no longer segregate students by race. The case, which actually was a combination of three other cases related to school segregation, was brought forth by Oliver Brown, who sued the Board of Education of Topeka, KS, on behalf of his daughter, after she was denied admittance to a white elementary school. Brown brought attention to the inequality in school funding and resources, as well as quality education between all-white and all-Black schools. Consequently, the case debunked the practice of "separate but equal, " which was exercised to justify segregation, validating the disproportionate quality between the amenities, facilities, and fundamental supplies used in Black and white schools. Although this decision allowed for the full integration of public schools, remnants of the history of segregation is still evident in public schools based in predominantly Black neighborhoods, with many reports of neglect and poorly funding. 5. Loving v. VirginiaRichard and Mildred Loving’s 1967 court case in Virginia set the precedent for overturning the criminalization of interracial marriage, regardless of what state did the officiating. After writing a letter to the attorney general about their sentencing in Virginia, the case was fought all the way up to the district courts, which ruled in their favor. Ultimately, this resulted in the removal of harsh punishments given to Black people in interracial marriages, as their own sentences were often more egregious than their white partners. 6. Fair Housing Act of 1968Passed in 1968 — a week after the assassination of equal housing advocate Martin Luther King Jr. — this act legally eliminated all discrimination against Black people who wanted to buy or rent property, especially in predominantly white neighborhoods. Even after its enactment, however, the homeownership rate for Black people has reportedly been on the decline since 2001. 7. The 15th AmendmentAfter the 15th Amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Passed in 1870, it granted all American males the right to vote regardless of their race. Though passage of this amendment was a huge victory, it wasn’t fully enforced, as many Black men still faced some barriers, like poll taxes and literacy tests that prevented them from participating fully in the electoral process. Today, voter suppression remains, with new tactics in place coupled with the constant neglect of Black voters’ needs.When talking about Black disenfranchisement, it's important to also take into consideration how society has failed to uphold the legislation and court rulings specifically designed to support the prosperity of the Black community. What this shows is that the legislative system has been an ineffective method of social change. In spite of being used to establish equality, Black people have still left behind this enforcement, hindering progress of the community in order to advance white superiority. Instead, laws like these have been used to target Black communities rendering its justice unreliable. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check this out:How FOSTA-SESTA Legislation Is Wreaking Havoc On The Lives Of Sex WorkersWhy The First Step Act Is More About Patting Politicians On The Back Than It Is About Prison ReformSenate Is Just Passing An Anti-Lynching Bill After 200 Failed...

According to Hate Trackers, a site that has tracked hate groups for more than a decade, longtime Tulsa County Clerk Office employee Bondell “Bonnie” Kukla and her husband, Stephen Kukla, are “white supremacists and long-time members of the Ku Klux Klan" who regularly travel throughout various Klan chapters in the South, "preaching, speaking and entertaining through song.”In an email obtained by The Frontier, Tulsa County Court Clerk Donald Newberry addressed Kukla's employment, stating that Kukla has the "protection of free speech" although he does not condone or believe discrimination "has any place within the workspace."“At the same time, I and all that work for this office, have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, part of which is the protection of free speech," said Newberry. "If at any time I find that someone is not performing their duty to uphold the Constitution the situation would be dealt with according to the offense."County Commissioner Karen Keith reiterated those sentiments stating that county lawyers said it would not be possible to fire Kukla based on her alleged KKK membership.“Our hands are tied,” Keith said. “There’s just not much Tulsa County can do.”The County Clerk is one of eight elected county officials in every county in Oklahoma and is responsible for a wide range of duties mandated by the laws of the state of Oklahoma including land records and other real estate documents in the county.Over the past couple of days, Tulsa has reacted in various ways from outrage to support of this decision. Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Sharon Bishop-Baldwin, a board member for the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, said that "if this woman's bigotry isn't seeping into her job performance, leave her alone."I don’t support calls to fire a county employee who belongs to the KKK. Are her apparent beliefs deplorable to me? Of course. Just as someone who can be fired in 30 states solely because I’m a lesbian, I believe that people should be fired (or not) based on merit. I have worked with many good people whose personal and political beliefs could not have been more different from my own.  But they were great reporters, editors, photographers, designers, co-workers. If this woman’s bigotry isn’t seeping into her job performance, leave her alone.  Slippery slopes can trip us ALL.According to The Frontier, Bishop-Baldwin, along with her wife, Mary Bishop-Baldwin, filed a lawsuit that overturned Oklahoma’s same-sex marriage ban in 2014.Charity Marcus, a political consultant, disagreed with Bishop-Baldwin saying that advocates of LGBTQ equality should stand in support of African-American struggles, as well. For Sharon to legitimize this woman working in our government is hypocrisy and cultural appropriation at its finest. For OKEQ, to not come out and condemn her statement (as she sits on their board) and distance themselves from her, just goes to show that the lgbt struggle is not for African American lgbt. OKEQ is not concerned about the intersectionality of the African American lgbt experience. They are only concerned with using our struggle to further their agenda. According to The Frontier, former Democratic House of Representatives candidate Shay White was taken away by ambulance after allegedly vandalizing the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in protest to Bishop-Baldwin's statement.In a Facebook video, White can be seen outside of the Equality Center protesting where she recorded herself over several videos, taking clothes from her car and throwing them around the front door of the building. She later entered the building and began throwing on the ground pamphlets, donation forms, voter registration forms and other items distributed by the Equality Center.According to The Frontier, Tulsa police arrested White for trespassing and malicious mischief. The Equality Center said it did not wish to press charges. “We know this has left our constituents concerned and confused. Oklahomans For Equality is committed to an internal and organization-wide examination of leadership and programs to address any bias,” the Equality Center posted to its Facebook page.Check these out: West Virginia Lawmaker Says LGBTQ People Are Like The Ku Klux KlanBaton Rouge Police Officers Wore Blackface In An Undercover Sting Against Drug DealersA Third Virginia Lawmaker Has Been Called Out For Blackface In College...

The confirmation hearings for William Barr, 45’s nominee to be the next attorney general, began on Tuesday. In the midst of a government shutdown that, according to CBS news, will have more than 420,000 federal workers go without pay, coupled with the Mueller Investigation - which seeks to determine if our president is, in actuality, a Russian spy - it could be easy to let these confirmations fly under the radar. Here's what you need to know about your possible new Attorney General. 1. He is Jeff Sessions' successor. Jeff Sessions stepped down from acting Attorney General in November, noting in his resignation letter that he was doing so at the request of President Trump. Many, including Nancy Pelosi, saw sessions forced resignation as a tactic meant to bring the Mueller investigation to screeching halt. Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Mueller’s investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 7, 2018Matthew Whitaker, briefly became acting attorney general, but following the backlash, Trump nominated William Barr in December. On Tuesday, when questioned if he would ensure that the findings of the investigation be made public, Barr stated the conclusion of the investigation “will be handled as a confidential document.”2. He’s a former attorney general under George H. W. Bush.William Barr has already acted as the attorney general under George H. W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. During that time, he had some interesting thoughts on criminal justice reform.3. Barr helped institute mass incarceration. During his time with the Bush administration in 1992, William Barr was a major contributor to the report by the Department of Justice titled The Case for More Incarceration. This report was one of the many stances and policies he spearheaded that escalated the war on drugs. In 1994 Barr and then Virginia governor George Allen co-chaired the Commission on Parole Abolition and Sentencing Reform. A commission that sought to abolish parole in the state, build more prisons, increase prison sentences up to six times longer. In 1991, Barr professed during the Mid-America Committee Luncheon: “Many of the so-called experts – whose theories gave us the horrors of the 60’s and 70’s – are criticizing this high prison population.  They say it’s a sign of failure.  I believe they are wrong. It is a sign of success.”4. Doesn’t believe that disparity between race and sentencing exist. When asked about racial disparities in prisons and prison sentencing during a Los Angeles Times interview in 1992, William Barr stated: “I think our system is fair and does not treat people differently.”When pressed on the specific differences in sentencing regarding offenses dealing with cocaine versus crack cocaine (a drug that disproportionately wreaked havoc on the Black community), Barr answered: “It's associated with violence. It's associated with the decomposition of families, crack babies, spousal abuse, child abuse. As you know, in 1985, all these social indices just went off the charts. It had a catastrophic impact, and so I think a stiffer penalty for crack cocaine is warranted.”When recently questioned by Senator Corey Booker during Tuesday’s hearing if the system of mass incarceration disproportionately benefited African-American communities, Barr seemed to have changed his tune - stating, “I think the reduction in crime has since 1992,” Barr responded. “But I think the heavy drug penalties have harmed the Black community and the incarceration rates have harmed the Black community.”5. Detained HIV+ Haitian Immigrants at Guantanamo BayIn 1991, the Bush administration began to collect Haitian refugees fleeing by boat after democratically elected Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown via a military coup. While the numbers dwindled over time, at least 310 refugees who had tested HIV+ (or alleged to be positive) remained detained at the detention facility. In a 2001 interview with UVA’s Miller Center, William Barr discussed his role in what other’s considered a human rights violation and his response to detractors, “They were always complaining.  I would say, ‘What do you people do at Guantanamo?  Maybe this is the highest, best use of Guantanamo.  Maybe Guantanamo should be turned over to the INS . . . and used as a processing center.  Maybe this is the best use for the United States as opposed to whatever you people do with it.”  With a majority Republican Senate, the likelihood that Barr will be confirmed is likey. The saga continues folks...Make sure you're following Blavity: Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Now, check these...

Black history wouldn’t be complete without celebrating the Black politicians who’ve paved the way for us to have a seat at the table. One of our most beloved politicians, Maxine Waters, shares her story on how her political career has led her to make Black history, while speaking up on Black issues and winning our hearts as “Auntie Maxine.”Before working in politics, Maxine Waters got involved in the feminist movement in the 1970s, engaging with activists who were fighting for women’s rights while listening to the voices of many women who were brave enough to be open about their experiences."I used what I had learned to respond legislatively," Waters said.In 1976, she was elected to the California State Assembly, eventually moving up to the Democratic Caucus Chair. After Augustus F. Hawkins retired from the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 1990s, Waters was elected to take over this coveted position, and has continued to serve as a representative on behalf of Southern California ever since.Although Waters has had a long and successful career, working in politics as a Black woman has not been easy."I have worked at a time where conservatives were basically in charge like it is now, but it's worse now than it's ever been,” Waters told Blavity.She also alludes to how many of her colleagues tend to disapprove of her bold approach to politics. "I have been challenged because I'm outspoken, and a lot of people disagree with me. They think that maybe sometimes I'm too confrontational, or I talk about Black issues too much."Despite the difficulties, Maxine Waters hasn’t allowed the haters to bring her down. Instead, Waters uses her perseverance and passion to make Black history. “I stayed. I did my time. I learned the issues. I put in a lot of reading and visiting financial institutions,” she said. “I’m at the point when we take back the House of Representatives, I will be the chair of the Financial Services Committee — the first Black in the history of this country, and certainly the first Black woman.”Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Maxine Waters On The State Of The Black UnionDemocratic House Victory Means Maxine Waters Will Soon Help Regulate The Country’s Biggest BanksAuntie Maxine Says She Ain’t Scared Of Nothing: “If You Shoot At Me, You Better Shoot...

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) recently announced their outline of the Green New Deal: A resolution that will use policy changes to tackle climate change and environmental injustice. With its mission of shifting the United States towards clean and renewable energy, the resolution rests its climate- change solutions on its timeline to get rid of fossil fuels and nuclear energy by 2030.The Green New Deal’s agenda has been pushed for over a decade by the Green Party, but now gained attention from Democrats including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and political commentator Van Jones. It’s meant to offer a green alternative that honors the New Deal, which was drafted to save big banks on the heels of the Great Depression.The outline is already being called “too radical” and “potentially impossible” by conservatives, who are worried about the cost of its rollout. Many liberal Democrats, however, are backing the Green New Deal, praising its ambition and clear vision on sustainable practices. Whether the resolution will be followed leading up to real legislation is still uncertain, but it shines a strong light on the contrast between the visions of the liberal progressives and conservative politicians. Here are a few things to know about the Green New Deal, and why everyone is so riled up over it:1.) Its policies establish a climate-change framework through the lens of economic justice reform.By adding relief programs and financial reconstruction, the Green New Deal carves out plans for the United States to “take a leading role in reducing emissions through economic transformation.” It digs into different initiatives that emphasize nationally funded but locally controlled systems, while dissolving any extra income that’s typically been pushed toward the wealthy, including money provided to bank bailouts and abhorring any foreclosures and evictions. The Green New Deal also specifically targets Wall Street institutions that have used monetary support of the government through taxpayer dollars during economic crises. As a resolution, it focuses is on giving economic control over to “frontline and vulnerable communities.” Through this economic restructuring, it seeks to provide economic security and environmental protection to the communities that are affected and neglected the most by climate change disasters. 2.) It calls on the government to ensure the security of people’s rights to environmental and social justice.One of the interesting aspects of the Green New Deal is how it looks at environmental impact not just through the destruction of physical spaces, but also through the effects of government systems on small communities. The Green New Deal outlines various environmental factors contributing to the substantial quality of life, addressing each one by assuring the setup of a new political system, which will regulate new economical changes in partnership with local communities. It assigns responsibility to the United States government to rebuild public infrastructure that provides “complete streets” and upgraded modes of transportation, and gives all people the right to “clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature and a sustainable environment.” The resolution consistently mentions that the work will create the need for millions of high-wage jobs, which will fight the wage stagnation that has plagued the nation for over 40 years. The emphasis on the government’s involvement grants the opportunity to push for more accountability, while also moving forward the agenda to create a place that recognizes the necessary rights for marginalized groups.3.) It gets rid of pollution sources by bringing in green alternatives.The eradication of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases comes with the investment in reorganizing how different industries are operating their equipment, facilities and landscapes. The Green New Deal strives for upgrading working corporations’ buildings and machinery to energy-efficient power grids. It also hones in on the agricultural industry by proposing collaboration with farmers to create a more sustainable food system, using healthy land and soil techniques. It also pushes for the cleanup of any exposure to hazardous environments that are a danger to humans and endangered animals and emphasizes the restoration of land environments that have been severely damaged due to climate change. The resolution solidifies the idea that reinvestment in environmental projects that work for an overhaul of existing detrimental practices must involve the community to bring the necessary environmental changes for a green society.For now, the Green New Deal is only a resolution that can only be brought to the House floor if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decides to opt in. Although a strong advocate of climate change, Pelosi seems to have no interest in moving the resolution to legislative measures, as she dismissed the proposal as “the green dream” when asked about it in an interview. But Ocasio-Cortez isn’t discouraged by any political divisions on the outline, saying at a press conference, “I will not allow our caucus to be divided upon silly notions, we are in this together. We are 100 percent in this together.”Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Now, check this out:4 Black Environmental Orgs You Should Know AboutAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says Combating Climate Change Will Be “The Civil Rights Movement Of Our Generation”Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Three New Bills In The House As A Rebuke To Trump’s Immigration...

A mayor of one of Florida's fastest growing cities is considering a presidential run in 2020. In the already crowded Democratic field, Mayor Wayne Messam of the small town of Miramar may shake up the 2020 presidential election.BuzzFeed News reports the 44-year-old serves as the ceremonial mayor of a town of about 140,000. Amid gearing up for re-election, he may also launch a presidential campaign. "The way I’ve been able to communicate with my peers across the country, and leadership positions that I’ve been fortunate enough to serve in on the national level. It’s sparked some inquiries like 'What’s next for you, mayor? We really see an opportunity for you to go even higher, and perhaps serve at a national level,’” Messam told BuzzFeed. “I’m just taking those comments and those urgings to really push and to seriously consider the prospects of perhaps running for president.”The eyes of political hopefuls have recently been on Florida due to former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. There've been whispers that the 39-year-old was eyeing the 2020 presidential race, particularly after a meeting with Barack Obama. With the former Tallahassee mayor taking on a new role at CNN, such a run may not happen.Messam formerly served as a campaign surrogate for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and supported Gillum early on in his bid for governor. According to The Sun-Sentinel, Messam is the owner of a construction firm based in South Florida. He is the son of a Jamaican sugar cane worker and the first Black man elected as mayor of Miramar.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Throughout his political career, Messam was the president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. Speculation around his possible bid piqued when the former Gillum advisers began to work with him.BuzzFeed reports Brice Barnes, who served as Gillum's first finance director, is advising Messam on fundraising strategies. There is also interest from former finance director Akilah Ensley and Phillip Thompson. Small-dollar fundraising will be key to a Messam campaign. Smaller donations proved helpful to Gillum, and Ensley belives Messam can use the same fundraising method to pull off a bid.“I truly do believe that anything is possible,” she told the Miami Herald. “We live in the age of Trump.” BuzzFeed News also confirmed that Messam met with political operatives from South Carolina during the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., in January. All signs point to Messam launching a campaign despite no official word from his camp. With Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) vying for the Black vote, Messam believes he can attract different types of Black voters to set himself apart, especially those from rural areas. He feels his background is better suited to appeal to them. Looking at the candidacy of Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, Messam sees a pathway to scoring airtime and entering the national media spotlight. Messam is expected to win re-election easily. We all have to wait and see what happens to the mayor with big dreams to live in the White House. Now, check this out:  Kamala Harris Defends Her Blackness And Her Interracial Marriage 'Golden N-Word' Tickets Granting Holders Permission To Use The Slur Passed Out A Maryland High School Charlamagne Tha God Clears Up Controversy Surrounding Kamala Harris And Her Musical Preferences...

The Breakfast Club's Charlamagne Tha God has clarified statements made by Kamala Harris during an interview on the New York-based radio show. On Monday, Harris went on the show and was asked about her past with marijuana.In her conversation with host Charlamagne, Envy and Angela Yee, Harris discussed her stance on legalization. When asked if she had ever smoked, she admitted to smoking a joint in college."I have. And I inhaled," she said. "I did inhale. It was a long time ago, but yes. I just broke news."She was simultaneously asked by Charlamagne as well as DJ Envy about her general music choices as well as which tracks she played while getting lifted in her college days. Later in the conversation, she was questioned about her choice of music when she got high, and she named Snoop Dogg and Tupac. However, Fox News was quick to point out that the Howard University alum graduated in 1986 before completing law school in 1989 and Tupac and Dr. Dre's first albums weren't released until the early 1990s."What were you listening to when you were high?" Charlamagne questioned.  At the same time, Envy asked what music she generally listens to. "Definitely Snoop, Tupac for sure," the 54-year-old responded. On Wednesday, Charlamagne clarified which question the presidential candidate had been responding to. I was scared to Poist this......@breakfastclubamA post shared by LENARD (@cthagod) on Feb 13, 2019 at 8:31am PST Per ABC News, Harris isn't the first presidential candidate to smoke. Our forever President Barack Obama shared in his book Dreams from My Father that he also engaged and that it was common practice while growing up in Hawaii.In 2017, the half-Jamaican and half-Indian California native supported fellow 2020 candidate Cory Booker's Marijuana Justice Act. The initiative would push the needle forward in decriminalization by removing it from the illegal substances list and penalizing states with high rates of marijuana-related arrests affecting people of color. Check out the full interview below: Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check this out:  Sen. Kamala Harris Calls Out High Mortality Rates Among Black Moms: ‘This Is An Issue That’s Abouse Race’Kamala Harris Becomes The Second Black Woman In History Elected To The US SenateSurvey Finds Kamala Harris Is The Top 2020 Presidential Pick Among Women Of...

The charges against 21 Savage that led to his ICE arrest have been dropped a day after the musician was released from U.S. Immigrants and Customs Enforcement on bond.Initially, charges of aggravated felony would serve as the basis for the "a lot" rapper's deportation. “I think this case is emblematic of a lot of cases where people are detained for not correct reasons, but they don’t always have resources to fight the system,” Charles Kuck, a lawyer for Savage, told BuzzFeed. “This case is very emblematic of what happens in immigration court and detention.”The rapper’s legal team announced news of his release from the jail, where he was placed in a cell 23 hours of the day, on Facebook, according to WSB-TV. He left the detention center on Tuesday and flew back to his hometown of Atlanta in a private jet. "For the past 9 long days, we, on behalf of She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known to the world as 21 Savage, have been speaking with ICE to both clarify his actual legal standing, his eligibility for bond, and provide evidence of his extraordinary contributions to his community and society," they wrote."In the last 24 hours, in the wake of the Grammy Awards at which he was scheduled to attend and perform, we received notice that She’yaa was granted an expedited hearing. Today, 21 Savage was granted a release on bond. He won his freedom."The “A Lot” rapper was arrested on February 3, as Blavity previously reported. 21 Savage claims Atlanta as his hometown, but ICE said he is originally from the United Kingdom.21 Savage will remain free until a deportation hearing decides his fate. He was in the process of obtaining a U-Visa when he was detained, according to TMZ. His arrest drew vocal support from several celebrities including Jay-Z, Cardi B and Jesse Williams.21’s legal team thanked his supporters on his behalf.“21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters—he says that while he wasn’t present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together,” they said.“He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people, he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them.”Savage is still facing possible deportation on the basis of overstaying his visa. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Don Lemon Talks Being A Gay, Black Man In Wake Of Jussie Smollett Attack: 'We Carry The Racism Part And We Carry The Gay Part'Why BET’s Mean Tweet About Nicki Minaj Was Counterproductive To The CultureA Philadelphia Museum Is Hosting What's Believed To Be The Only Surviving Powder Horn From A Black Colonial...

A proposed bill by Democratic Caucus Chairman, Hakeem Jeffries, would ensure that formerly incarcerated people are briefed on their voting rights.The Ex-Offender Voter Registration Act would provide awareness on voting rights laws in multiple states and the chance for the formerly incarcerated to register to vote after they have been released from custody. Furthermore, this act would also require Bureau of Prisoners caseworkers to provide the necessary information on all states’ voting rights, along with voter registration or application forms that will need to be completed for them to vote.“The Ex-Offender Voter Registration Act of 2019 will strike a massive blow against voter disenfranchisement across America,” Jeffries said. “I believe in the power of redemption and that anyone who has served their time and paid their debt to society should have the ability to participate in the bedrock of our democracy.”This proposed bill would help more than 6.1 million Americans that are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. In 1976, 1.17 million individuals were disenfranchised due to a felony conviction which has drastically grown to more than 6.1 million individuals today.According to a report by The Sentencing Project, one in 13 African Americans of voting age is disenfranchised which is four times greater than that of the general population. An even grimmer picture is that more than one in five African-Americans are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction in four states, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.Laws regarding voting after sentence completion vary widely across states, and in more than 10 states formerly incarcerated individuals lose their right to vote permanently. Florida, a key swing state,  used to be a part of this statistic as well until the enactment of Amendment Four, granting certain ex-felons the right to vote. This proposed bill would not change state laws surrounding ex-felons voting rights but would inform individuals about their voting rights in all states. Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Now, check this out: Fresh Off Her SOTU Appearance, Newly-Freed Alice Johnson Announces New MemoirTrump Has A New Anti-HIV Initiative For Philadelphia And Public Health Officials Are SkepticalKamala Harris Admits To Having 'Inhaled' As She Pushes For Marijuana...

After a January 2019, Motherboard report was released that showed three major wireless providers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint) were sharing customer location data in an unregulated market which leads to unauthorized handling and data breaches, 15 senators called on the FCC to investigate how wireless providers use customer data. Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has commissioned the FCC to widely investigate wireless providers' location data sharing practices and its use by third-party companies. In response to the Motherboard report, AT&T said it will stop selling its customer's location data to third-party service providers. This comes on the heels of the FCC's confirmation that in May 2018,  there were allegations concerning millions of wireless customers' location data being leaked online due to a bug in a data firm's website. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint were revealed through a report that they were selling customer's data location through an intermediary, LocationSmart.Despite this, the Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai has remained pretty silently in regards to the sensitive customer data handling.  "I think the chairman should be more clear on where he stands on this," Starks said to Politico, although noting that ongoing investigations are to remain confidential.Congress would like to ensure that the corporations are liable for their actions in potentially allowing criminal to track sensitive customer data information on the dark web.“I’m extraordinarily troubled by reports of this system of repackaging and reselling location data to unregulated third-party services for potentially nefarious purposes,” said Senator Kamala Harris. “If true, this practice represents a legitimate threat to our personal and national security.” Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Now check these out:Groundbreaking Scientist Warren Washington To Win Nobel Prize For Climate ChangeLike Jeff Bezos, Terry Crews Says He Was Also Targeted By The National EnquirerRosalind Brewer Becomes The Second Black Person Appointed To Amazon's Board Of...