Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 658

Robert Johnson, Black Leaders Press President Obama On Unemployment

Source: Tim Mak / Politico Black leaders said on Friday that the sharp spike in unemployment among African-Americans revealed in the latest jobs report is nothing short of a "state of emergency" as they ratcheted up the pressure on President Barack Obama to tackle the issue. The Labor Department found black unemployment – already well above the national average of 9.1 percent – jumped to 16.7 percent from 15.9 percent from July to August. It's the highest level of African-American [...]

African-American Unemployment Rate Climbed In August

Source: Joyce Jones / BET The Labor Department has released the August jobs report and the unemployment figured was unchanged from July's 9.1 percent. In addition, the economy added only 17,000 new jobs. The African-American jobless rate climbed from 15.9 to 16.7, which only strengthens the argument of Black lawmakers that there is a critical need to specifically address this problem. The unemployment rate for Black males rose a whole percentage point to 18.0 percent and the rate for Black [...]

Gadhafi: 'We Will Be Victorious' (VIDEO)

Former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi urges loyalists to fight the enemy in their country. WATCH:

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.: Rick Perry Sounds Like Confederate Leaders Defending The 'Slave Amendment'

Source: Amanda Terkel / The Huffington Post Washington – Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) is calling out Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) for his full-throated heralding of the 10th Amendment, saying his statements echo rhetoric used by slavery-defending Confederate leaders. The 10th Amendment says the powers not given to the U.S. government by the Constitution are reserved for the states. It has become a Republican favorite, often invoked to argue that federal health care reform is unconstitutional. While announcing his [...]

'Queen Esther': Highlights Of Remarks From Gordy Edwards' Funeral

Wonder Makes Musical Tribute to Motown's Edwards: MyFoxDETROIT.com Source: Aaron Foley / MLive.com The funeral for Esther Gordy Edwards drew tributes, stories and testimonies from several speakers who took time to pay respects to the Motown Museum founder and former label executive. Hundreds attended Wednesday's memorial, which featured performances from Carolyn Crawford, Stevie Wonder and Eddie and Brian Holland, and an impromptu performance from Martha Reeves. To read this article in its entirety visit MLive.com.

Chris Johnson, Titans Reach 4-Year, $53.5M Deal (VIDEO)

Source: ESPN Holdout running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans agreed to a four-year extension on Thursday, the team confirmed. A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the extension is worth $53 million with $30 million guaranteed. The extension will be tacked on to the two years he had remaining on his previous contract, putting him under the Titans' control through the 2016 season. Johnson will receive $31 million over the first three years of the [...]

FLOTUS Michelle Obama: Power Player (VIDEO)

Essence magazine editor Constance White and writer Krissah Thompson on their cover feature on the First Lady. WATCH:

Study Finds 19% Higher Cancer Rate Among 9/11 Firefighters

Source: Stephanie Smith / CNN New York (CNN) — Firefighters exposed to toxic dust and fumes clogging the air after the World Trade Center towers collapsed 10 years ago are more likely to develop cancer, according to a new study. When compared with firefighters who did not work at Ground Zero, firefighters working the pile were 19% more likely get a cancer diagnosis. According to the research, published Thursday in the Lancet medical journal, the increase occurred during the first [...]

President Obama Will Address Congress At 7 P.M. Next Thursday

Source: David Nakamura / The Washington Post President Obama will address a joint session of Congress at 7 p.m. Thursday to lay out his plans to create jobs to help boost the economy. House Speaker John Boehner announced the timing of the speech in an e-mail to reporters. Obama had sought to speak next Wednesday, but Boehner, citing scheduling conflicts on the House's first day back in session after summer recess, invited Obama a day later instead. The 7 p.m. [...]

Feds Put Hold On South Carolina Voter ID Law

Source: Matt Loeb / National Journal The Justice Department has put the brakes on enactment of a proposed election-law overhaul signed by South Carolina's Republican Gov. Nikki Haley, saying it wants more evidence that the changes will comply with Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The department requested additional information from the state's election commission about the law, which requires o voters to present photo ID at the polls—a sign that the department has reservations about the changes. South [...]