Focus on Guns
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Ismail Watkins Views Life from Wheelchair
A bullet fired from a handgun caught Ismail Watkins in the neck in March 1998 forever changing his life. Paralyzed and dependent on a wheelchair to get around, Watkins is among regulars who share thoughts at a support group for survivors of gun violence. They meet at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Northwest Washington.
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The On Target indoor shooting range in Severn, Md.,draws customers who describe gun ownership and shooting practice as a way of life that includes training on how to safely handle firearms.
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Darryl Darnell Henley laid in his casket, dressed in the same brown suit with tan detailing that he proudly wore to his high school prom. Gold, cursive letters spelled out his name on the Bible his hands cradled. Funeral assistants moved to lower the lid on his casket, but Darryl's mother stopped them, heaving her body over his in a desperate and protective stance.
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More than 850 mayors from big cities and small towns across the country have joined a coalition—Mayors Against Illegal Guns--aimed at protecting the rights of Americans who own guns while fighting to keep criminals from possessing guns illegally.
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Students for Concealed Carry believes there is a solution to deter mass shootings on college campuses: allow students to carry firearms. Founded in 2007 in the dorm room of University of North Texas student Chris Brown, Students for Concealed Carry has grown to more than 43,000 members and 350 campus chapters in all 50 states.
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Schools administrators design zero-tolerance policies to eliminate acts of violence before they happen. Yet these policies dramatically affect children who are unaware that some bad behavior can damage their academic career and in extreme cases gain them a criminal record.
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Gun control laws are a must for a start on getting a handle on the violence in the country, but societal revamps are necessary to move forward also.
Focus on Same Sex Marriage
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Driving in her car on her way home one day, the image of a sign popped into Tiffany Newman’s head: “Our Marriage Was Once Illegal, Too.” The words meant something powerful, not only to Newman and her husband--an interracial couple--but also to the District's gay community.
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Tabernacle Baptist Church Preaches Acceptance
Soon after settling in the pews at the historic Old Fourth Ward’s Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta, visitors notice that they are surrounded by a diverse congregation infused with same-sex couples, transgendered men and women and heterosexuals, all caught in the rapture of Sunday service “I was the first African American pastor in the city—in Atlanta, who began to preach messages of inclusion, who opened my church to the LGBT community, and who was embracing it,” said the Rev.
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Although some same-sex partners may be legally married in some states, under federal law those couples are refused numerous federal benefits available to heterosexual couples.
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On Valentine's Day, 33 Democrats and one Republican in the Illinois State Senate passed and sent to the House of Representatives a gay marriage bill, reflecting the growing support of same-sex marriage in the United States. The old stomping ground of President Barack Obama, a supporter of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, seems to be on the road to accepting same-sex marriage after several failed attempts to legalize the act.
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A pair of opening legal briefs for gay marriage cases to be decided by the Supreme Court this spring were sent out last month. Specifically, lawyers in support of California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act ask the Supreme Court to rule that the law should only recognize marriages between opposite-sex couples.
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Legalization of gay marriage brings joy to partners and DMV businesses alike, as the wedding industry sees an all-around increase in profits.
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Many large corporations are publicly showing support for gay marriage arguing that it helps broaden their customer base and increase diversity.
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With its foundation laid, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is starting to take shape on its five-acre site near the Washington Monument.
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The next "big thing" in mobile technology could be the somewhat-new, insanely popular six-second video app called Vine. The cutting-edge application—currently available only to iPhone users—hit smartphones at the endof January. Its creators describe Vine as a “mobile service that lets you create and share short looping videos” andalso allows individuals to “share moments in unique ways.
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This year seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) take Spring Break simultaneously. Students at the seven HBCU’s are reveling in the fact that they can share this time that marks the midpoint of the spring semester with their friends.
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CUT THROUGH THE CLUTTER: For clarity on the issues and a different perspective on political people, places and things, check out our Election 2012 coverage. This is a joint project of HUNewsService.com, The Hilltop and 101Magazine.net, plus our media partners.
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Sixty percent of college student participants in a study admitted to being in a friends with benefits relationship at a certain time in their life.
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Bishop Noel Jones, pastor of City of Refuge Church in Gardena, Calif., said that he was told to “preach,” and he did just that at CBC Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
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Howard University has joined the University of Maryland, the University of Texas, New York University, Duke University and the University of Illinois at Chicago in a healthcare initiative that will send experienced healthcare professionals to Rwanda.
Local News
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Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker’s proposal to take over the Prince George’s County school system has been met with protest and changes as it fights to become reality. Baker’s proposal would include adding the next superintendent..
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Parent Groups Worked to Keep Open Garrison, Francis-Stevens
After countless efforts from PTA members and community leaders, Garrison Elementary School and Francis-Stevens Education Campus are no longer slated for closure. Chancellor Kaya Henderson proposed last November that 20 D.C. public schools be closed for the school year that begins in September 2013.
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Ongoing Evaluations Sparked by Sandy Hook Shootings
While school administrators around the country debate the merits of a new report by the National Rifle Association recommending that schools train and arm teachers and other staff, Prince Georges County Public Schools officials are taking a measured approach on the issue of school safety and implementing several security strategies to keep the county’s children safe.
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City Agency Devises Plan to Ease Restrictions on Sundays
Residents and churches in the Logan Circle neighborhood in Northwest Washington have worked with city officials to temporarily at least ease concerns over parking congestion in the area, especially during Sunday morning worship hours. The two sides worked with the D.
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A non-profit organization film production company focuses on supporting other worthy non-profits by funding and donating promotional films.
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Every Friday evening, members of the Criminal (In)Justice Committee gather outside of the Wells Fargo Bank on Georgia Avenue NW, for a two-hour demonstration calling for a boycott against what they say is the “modern day slave trade.” The committee, which is a branch of the Occupy DC movement, is a local organization that is part of the fight to transform the criminal justice system.
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Brookland DC Dance Center Expansion Begins in August
Dance Place has launched its Moving Forward Campaign to expand its current space at 3225 8th St. NE. Renovations start Aug 15. Dance Place formed a partnership with Brookland Artspace Lofts to complete a two-phase renovation plan, which will create a unique arts complex.
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Although Larry Werner is not a member of the 5333 Connecticut Coalition, he has followed the controversy enough to feel compelled to speak up at the D.C. Council Performance Oversight Hearing for the Committee of Transportation and Environment. The District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation recently released a transportation study on the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Military Road NW, the proposed location for a 263-unit, glass enclosed housing project to be constructed by Calvin Cafritz Enterprises.
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It’s been months since the plans to renovate 2012-14 Kalorama Road NW were first approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) and the Historic Preservation Office (HPO.) However, the onslaught of objections from residents near the project that followed has left the project at a stalemate.
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“Did I make the Humanitini too strong?” the bartender asked as she eyed too many still full martini glasses. A few patrons at the bar assured her their drinks were fine. They were opting for the clear-headed route for the 90 minute exchange on gun control and firearms laws.
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This Year Marks 50th Anniversary of Historic Event
This year marks 50 years since the 1963 March on Washington.The demonstration, led by leaders of the modern civil rights movement including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., took place half a century ago on Aug. 28. The Capitol Hill History Project in collaboration with The Capitol Hill Village held an event “Were You There?” to commemorate the march.
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As major bookstore chains close or move online, Politics and Prose, an independent bookstore in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Northwest Washington, remains one of the most prominent bookstores in the city. Politics and Prose and the Modern Times coffeehouse, located in the lower level of the bookstore, hosted a trivia night on Feb. 16 at 7:30pm.
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You pay to eat and drink. They pay the bills. All the profits go to charity. A deal like this is being offered at Cause, a restaurant and bar at 1926 9th St. NW known as a philanthropub—a bar where having a good time helps a good cause.
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Busboys & Poets, founded in 2005 by activist and restaurateur Anas “Andy” Shahall, is one of the most well-known community resources in the District of Columbia. Located in four distinctive neighborhoods in the D.C. area, this venue serves as a bookstore, restaurant, lounge and theater.
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Video: Reporter Jordane Frazier tours new home for Capitol Area Food Bank in Northeast Washington.
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The Anacostia River isn’t a place where many people look to get their exercise. The members of Capitol Rowing Club, however, embrace the Anacostia each time their oars hit the water. “I had no understanding of it before I started,” says Kelley O’Connell, 45.
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The D.C. Central Kitchen prepares and delivers 5,000 meals a day for the city’s homeless and residents in need. The man who sets menus and supervises food preparation
at the kitchen holds a title rare among charities. He is Celebrity Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper.
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Ward 5’s Brookland neighborhood is undergoing major development projects in efforts to turn parts of the residential area in Northeast Washington into a destination point with restaurants, retail shops and new housing. Abdo Development, a D.
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Dubbed "The Gateway to Washington," Dakota Crossing will great visitors entering the District at New York Avenue and South Dakota Avenue Northeast with stores ranging from Target to Costco.
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Christopher Feaster lived at the D.C. General Hospital Homeless Shelter while completing his senior year at Hospitality High School. However, his diligence led to a full tuition academic scholarship to Michigan State University. He plans to study the hospitality business in hopes of owning his own chain of hotels called the Black Phoenix.
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Braces, tooth extractions and surgery are just a few of the dental services that thousands of adults and children receive for little or no cost at Howard University and the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
An air of excitement fills campus, as 10 students stand outside of Georgetown University President, Timothy Healy’s office demanding that more minority students be accepted into the school and a support system be put in place to monitor and track Black students who enroll.
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Spring has finally arrived and the city of Hyattsville will hold its 127th Annual Carnival. The carnival will open Thursday evening, April 11, 2013 and convene until Sunday, April 14th at Magruder Park.
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Inauguration 2013
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At a panel discussion held at Howard University surrounding the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, panel members said blacks should expect more from President Obama during his second term.
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An exhibit at Howard University featuring photographs from official White House photographer, Peter Souza, gave visitors a chance to take a walk through the first term of President Obama.
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