Black History Month Speech by Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General

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Eric Holder, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice

Black History Month--2010
Speech (Excerpt)

For well over two centuries now, we, as a people, have been striving to build a more perfect union - an America where the words of our Constitution can, finally, reach the full measure of their intent. The work of the Justice Department is, and always has been, critical to this pursuit. As a law student and as a young prosecutor in our Public Integrity Section, I dreamed of contributing to this Department. Today, as Attorney General, I have the honor and responsibility of leading it. I also have the privilege of serving with colleagues who share my commitment to this work. Like you, I have great faith in our justice system. In fact, I’d argue that it’s among the most praiseworthy aspects of our national character. But I also realize this hasn’t always been the case.

Despite the great progress we’ve seen in my lifetime, it wasn’t so long ago that African Americans were prevented from owning property, attaining home or business loans, and joining unions. The legal framework we celebrate today - the same system that abolished slavery, encouraged women’s suffrage and ended segregation - once served as a barrier for black families struggling to build wealth and for black children who sought an adequate education.

There was a time when this very Department undermined the rights and privileges it was established to preserve. There was a time when it was accepted, almost universally across our country, that the American principles of justice, liberty and equality did not have to be applied equally to blacks and whites, or to women and men. For much of the last century, our justice system did not do enough to help our nation fulfill its promise of equal opportunity. And, as a result, the doors of economic prosperity remained closed to too many Americans on the basis of their race.

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Prayers for 9-11

Today we pray for the families of those lost on September 11th eleven years ago. We pray that today the memories of your loved ones brings you greater joy than the grief of their loss.

We also pray for those heroes who responded to the emergencies associated with the tragedies in New York City, Arlington, Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania whose lives are forever changed.

We will remember you and never forget!

Are Your Grandparents Special? Tell Us Why for National Grandparents Day!

Are your grandparents special? Tell us why!

    

Contact us at info@womenatliberty.com, @womenatliberty (Twitter) or Women History Makers-DC, MD, VA.

An American Debate: Beliefs vs. Rights

by Nona Ogunsula

The recent Chick-fil-A debate that was caused by CEO Dan Cathy's comments about traditional marriage was, for me, another example of how intolerant we are becoming as a nation! There will never be an end to discrimination if people do not learn the difference between beliefs and rights. In America, your right to believe whatever you want to believe is guaranteed by the American Constitution and specifically, the Bill of Rights. Remember those? 

The very First Amendment says, 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."  

These Rights along with the U.S. Constitution, are what make America a country where it is unlawful to restrict a person's, especially American Ciitizens', individual or inalienable rights without due process.  We must not forget the history from which these documents as well as the Declaration of Independence were born. It was an oppressive British government who was unduly influenced by government sanctioned religion. Unfortunately world history including Biblical history, is fraught with too many examples where people in power used religion to commit abuses and atrocities. Remember the Early Christians, The Crusades, The Spanish Inquisition, etc. (If not, a study of history is in order.)

So now, you have the right to believe whatever you want to believe about religion and issues like marriage, but you do not have a right to force your beliefs on others. Nor do you have a right to discriminate against others in employment, housing, public accommodations, etc. because they believe differently than you. 

The political climate in Washington DC is a reflection of the intolerance running rampant in our country and an inability of people to respectfully disagree on issues. For Christians, take note of Jesus' behavior in the temple. The only time he physically disagreed with anyone was when they were taking advantage of people in the name of God right in the House of Worship. (See John 2:12-23 or view movie clip below for a dramatic portrayal of the scripture.*) For those who are not Christians, you can't change people's behavior or beliefs by "bullying" them. Just take a look at the conflict in the Middle East! 

Lastly, we should stop asking the President of the United States to personally defend or endorse our own religious beliefs. That's not apart of the President's job description. The President takes an Oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States". We might instead think about asking the President and Congress to grant full Congressional voting rights to places like Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico where citizens are taxed without full representation.  

As stated in the Voltaire's quote below, we will assuredly disagree on matters of religion and issues of social importance, however we must never control what people believe. Not in this free country! 

*Book of John

How Do You Feel About The New Universal Health Care Law?

By now you know that the new Health Care Law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. There has been so much tension and debate on both sides of this issue, and now conspiracy theories are beginning to be reported in the media about why Chief Justice John Roberts, who it seems was the deciding vote, may have voted the way he did.  But, the real question is, how will this law affect you and the average American?  If you want to get a quick (cliff notes) summary of the law,visit the Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA Facebook page and see yesterday's (6/28) posting. To get news directly from the horse's mouth, go to the White House's Blog. If you want to read the Court's entire decision, click here.

Here's my take: Seniors seem to be already benefiting from the law's prescription drug provision and covered wellness visits including mammograms, colonoscopies, and other preventive health screenings. Tiffany Lindquist, AARP Maryland Associate State Director, stated that “overall, AARP believes the new health care law vastly improves health care for older Americans”. College students should be happy because they are allowed to stay on their parents/guardians' policy until age 26. Also women will not be charged a premium because they require different health services than the services provided to men. Lastly, but not least, insurance companies can not refuse to cover you because you have a pre-existing condition. Carefirst (one of our sponsors) said in a statement that they were extremely pleased that the Court decided in favor of the Act. They also said that they "have implemented all provisions required in the law and now look forward to implementing the full extent of the law".

YOUR TURN: So what's you're opinion? Have you or do you know someone who has been positively or negatively impacted by the new Health Care Law? Leave a comment here or post a message on our Facebook page here. You can also email info@womenatliberty.com