Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 238

WATCH! Michelle Obama’s Full Address On Chicago Violence

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a conference at the Hilton Chicago hotel Wednesday afternoon about gun violence in Chicago.

Michelle Obama: ‘Hadiya Pendleton Was Me; And I Was Her’

Source: ABC 7 Chicago CHICAGO — ”I’m here today because Chicago is my home,” first lady Michelle Obama said. ”My story would not be possible without this city.” The first lady spoke at a conference at the Hilton Chicago hotel Wednesday afternoon put on by the City of Chicago and civic leaders who want Chicago [...]

WASHINGTON WATCH: Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep. Charles Rangel Discuss How To Keep Black Voters Going To The Polls (VIDEO)

Rep. Marcia Fudge and Rep. Charles Rangel address voting and how to keep Black voters going to the polls without President Obama on the ballot. MR. MARTIN (VOICEOVER):  Another panel at the National Action Network convention addresses voting and how to keep black voters going to the polls without President Obama on the ballot. [PANEL [...]

WASHINGTON WATCH: Family Members Of The Victims Of Gun Violence Speak Out (VIDEO)

At Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network conference in New York this week, a panel on gun violence featured the family members of victims of such violence — victims like the mother of Hadiya Pendleton, who was gunned down in Chicago just after performing at the inauguration of President Obama. Cleo Cowley told the convention [...]

WASHINGTON WATCH: What Happened To The Discussion On Jobs; Pres. Obama Called Sexist For Comments About Kamala Harris (VIDEO)

Roland Martin and the Washington Watch roundtable discuss the lack of focus on creating jobs in the midst of America’s economic recovery and President Obama takes heat for complimenting California Attorney General Kamala Harris. This week’s all female panel features Rahiel Tesfamariam, editorial director of UrbanCusp.com; political analyst Zerlina Maxwell; Angela Rye, principal at IMPACT, [...]

WASHINGTON WATCH: Attorney General Eric Holder Vows To Fight Voter Suppression Efforts (VIDEO)

Attorney General Eric Holder vows to fight for voting rights and fight against voter suppression during this year’s National Action Network Conference in New York City. MR. MARTIN:  Welcome to “Washington Watch.” I’m here in New York’s Times Square, and we’re in the city to cover Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network conference.  It was [...]

WASHINGTON WATCH: Rev. Sharpton On His Relationship With Pres. Obama, Having Access To The Oval Office & Obama Critics (VIDEO)

Roland Martin talks with Rev. Al Sharpton about civil rights organizations operating in their own space; having access to President Barack Obama and the president’s critics. Plus Rev. Sharpton discusses what advances should African-Americans have made during President Obama’s presidency. MR. MARTIN:  Let’s talk about the concept – and you and I have discussed this [...]

Halle Berry Calls Second Pregnancy ‘The Biggest Surprise Of My Life’

Source: Alexis L. Loinaz / E! Online / theGrio When it comes to Halle Berry, mom’s the word. The Oscar-winner and her fiance, Olivier Martinez, are expecting their first child together, and — as E! News revealed last week — the actress is pregnant with a boy and is reportedly about 12 weeks along. Just days after word [...]

Voters To Choose Jesse Jackson Jr.’s House Successor Tonight

Source: Sophia Tareen / AP / theGrio CHICAGO — While Democrat Robin Kelly is widely expected to capture Tuesday’s special election for former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s seat over Republican Paul McKinley, any winner will face big challenges. Illinois’ newest member of Congress will have big shoes to fill: Jackson was a 17-year incumbent [...]

USA TODAY: At Least 11 Hurt In Lone Star College Stabbings

Source: Doug Stanglin / USA Today Several students have injured — two reportedly in critical condition — from a stabbing fight the campus of Lone Star College Cy-Fair, according to KHOU-TV. KHOU says as many as 12 people were injured, ABC News and Fox News put the number of injured at 14. The college, located [...]