NABJ condemns Comcast for attempting to dismantle Black people’s civil rights in Byron Allen’s Supreme Court case

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ is the latest major organization to weigh in on Byron Allen’s civil rights lawsuit against Comcast and Charter, which is going all the way to the Supreme Court. The esteemed group made up of 4,000 professionals in the media and journalism field, has issued a statement bashing Comcast and urging the Supreme Court to be on the right side of history.

At issue is the interpretation and enforcement of  the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was created to protect Black people from discriminatory business practices. NABJ understands the wide-reaching impact such a decision and has laid out its position.

READ MORE: Berkeley Law Dean believes that Comcast and Charter Communications are putting Black people’s civil rights in jeopardy

Read the entire statement below:

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) joins the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus and numerous other civil rights organizations in urging Comcast and the Supreme Court to not dismantle the critical protections provided under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The potential outcome of Comcast’s urging of the Supreme Court to undo equal opportunity protections afforded under the Act could impact our more than 4,000 members, as well as Black media professionals and entrepreneurs nationwide.

At issue is the filing of a brief asking the courts to require a minority plaintiff to provide proof that the denial of a contract, property ownership or job opportunity is 100% based on race. For example, a company’s decision to not award a contract or job to an African American or any person of color could be 99% based on a reason of race and only 1% based on a lack of sufficient experience in the industry. What Comcast is proposing allows for acts of discrimination to be hidden by the justification of that 1%, leaving those impacted with no legal remedy to pursue.

Even if the motive of the Comcast filing is isolated to defending itself in one court case, the profound and widespread lasting impact will be devastating to minority entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. It will also have a negative impact on communities of color in that there will be even fewer media platforms and content of interest produced for and by us.

 

NABJ strongly urges that these efforts not be allowed as they would have a huge long-term and negative impact on our members and their content creating opportunities, as well as entrepreneurial aspirations.

READ MORE: Color of Change demands Comcast withdraw its Supreme Court challenge to the Civil Rights Act of 1866

The post NABJ condemns Comcast for attempting to dismantle Black people’s civil rights in Byron Allen’s Supreme Court case appeared first on theGrio.

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Paying Homage: Before Tyler Perry Studios, There Was Oscar Micheaux and Lincoln Motion Picture Company

Following the news of Tyler Perry Studios’ (TPS) historic grand opening, there was an uproarious celebration heard amongst the black Hollywood elite and beyond.

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Tuesday's Best Deals: V-Moda Headphones, Kindle eBooks, TP-Link Mesh Routers, and More

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Oprah Donates $13 Million To Morehouse College, Largest In School’s History

Oprah Winfrey increased her endowment at Morehouse College on Monday by donating $13 million, making her contribution the largest endowment for a scholarship in the institution’s history. This donation comes in addition to the $12 million that Winfrey had pledged dating back to 1989. That year, she made a $1 million contribution during graduation exercises that established the Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Prior to this $13 million gift, Winfrey’s previously pledged total stood at $12 million, which made her the College’s top individual donor. Winfrey visited the historically black college to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. Around 600 students have already been provided an education through the program.

“Seeing you young Oprah Winfrey scholars here today has moved me deeply,” Winfrey told the students prior to making the donation announcement. “I was really surprised to learn that it’s been 30 years since I made that $12 million donation to Morehouse, so today I would like to add $13 million to that.”

 

Morehouse, a prestigious all-male HBCU based in Atlanta, has had a successful run recently in acquiring donations to further its students’ academic and professional futures. This past May, billionaire Robert F. Smith promised to pay off the student loan debt of all of the 2019 graduating students. Smith made this $34 million donation to see if removing student loan debt from college graduates helps propel their post-colligate careers and lifestyle.

In a statement, David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College, said, “I’m grateful to Oprah Winfrey for her generosity. I am also feeling hopeful for Morehouse and what it has garnered in terms of philanthropic support with gifts like Oprah’s and Robert Smith’s. I am hopeful that this will also get others to step up with their support of Morehouse, but even more broadly, historically black colleges and universities.”

More than 500 people attended the announcement at Morehouse College. Nathan Rolle, who is a senior majoring in International Studies and a current Oprah Scholar said, “I’ve looked up to Ms. Winfrey my entire life. This day is the highlight of my Morehouse experience.”

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2VmJc8P

Oprah Donates $13 Million To Morehouse College, Largest In School’s History

Oprah Winfrey increased her endowment at Morehouse College on Monday by donating $13 million, making her contribution the largest endowment for a scholarship in the institution’s history. This donation comes in addition to the $12 million that Winfrey had pledged dating back to 1989. That year, she made a $1 million contribution during graduation exercises that established the Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Prior to this $13 million gift, Winfrey’s previously pledged total stood at $12 million, which made her the College’s top individual donor. Winfrey visited the historically black college to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. Around 600 students have already been provided an education through the program.

“Seeing you young Oprah Winfrey scholars here today has moved me deeply,” Winfrey told the students prior to making the donation announcement. “I was really surprised to learn that it’s been 30 years since I made that $12 million donation to Morehouse, so today I would like to add $13 million to that.”

 

Morehouse, a prestigious all-male HBCU based in Atlanta, has had a successful run recently in acquiring donations to further its students’ academic and professional futures. This past May, billionaire Robert F. Smith promised to pay off the student loan debt of all of the 2019 graduating students. Smith made this $34 million donation to see if removing student loan debt from college graduates helps propel their post-colligate careers and lifestyle.

In a statement, David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College, said, “I’m grateful to Oprah Winfrey for her generosity. I am also feeling hopeful for Morehouse and what it has garnered in terms of philanthropic support with gifts like Oprah’s and Robert Smith’s. I am hopeful that this will also get others to step up with their support of Morehouse, but even more broadly, historically black colleges and universities.”

More than 500 people attended the announcement at Morehouse College. Nathan Rolle, who is a senior majoring in International Studies and a current Oprah Scholar said, “I’ve looked up to Ms. Winfrey my entire life. This day is the highlight of my Morehouse experience.”

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2VmJc8P