Signaling that things haven't changed all that much at the Justice Department, the DoJ has filed an amicus brief (pdf) with the Supreme Court in support of Indiana's voter ID law.The decision to file the brief in and of itself will prove controversial, but beyond that, opponents say that the brief's argument would set a standard that stacks the ( Read more... )

Sen. Barack Obama invoked Rev. Martin Luther King's "fierce urgency of now" as he made his first visit as a presidential candidate to America's most famous black neighborhood, Harlem, venturing within sight of Bill Clinton's office."I want to stand up for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for justice," Obama said Thursday ( Read more... )

Like Hurricane Katrina did with poverty, the case of Genarlow Wilson - much like that of the Jena 6 - exposed the glaring inequities in our justice system. They reminded us of the fact that we still have a system that locks away too many young, first-time, non-violent offenders for the better part of their lives. It reminds us that we have certain ( Read more... )

Barack Obama can honestly claim to have made a difference on a matter of life and death ( Read more... )

It's a privilege to be a part of today's convocation and an honor to receive this degree [honorary Doctor of Laws] from Howard. There are few other universities that have played so central a role in breaking down yesterday's barriers and inching this country closer to the ideals we see inscribed on the monuments throughout this city.

It was Howard ( Read more... )