Politics

Delivering in-depth analysis of U.S. politics from a Black perspective. Catch up on the latest with our comprehensive coverage of American politics and breaking news from the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, and more.

While attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 41st Annual Legislative Conference last week I couldn’t help but notice that Rep. Allen West missed an opportunity to engage us in a discussion on the conservative agenda. Thousands from all across the country gathered in the nation’s capital last weekend to discuss varying issues within the Black […]

The Reverend Al Sharpton said President Obama was right in telling Black people to “stop complaining” at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix awards on Saturday. Sharpton, who spoke to the president shortly after the speech remarked, “He said this is what I’ve done, and it helps Blacks and helps the county and now let’s get to work,” […]

I deal with a lot of non-black people. A lot of Blacks working in corporate or other professional fields do too. It’s not a complaint… I’m just stating my reality. But there’s something that happens when you deal with a lot of non-Blacks and then jump back into Black surroundings. I make references that I […]

WASHINGTON — In a fiery summons to an important voting bloc, President Barack Obama told blacks on Saturday to quit crying and complaining and “put on your marching shoes” to follow him into battle for jobs and opportunity. And though he didn’t say it directly, for a second term, too. Obama’s speech to the annual […]

With Black unemployment approaching 17 percent in the country — the highest in 27 years — the Congressional Black Caucus’ forum this week will surely focus on this issue. In a series of town hall meetings and discussions, several members will talk about the unemployment problem and how to attack it. The CBC conference comes […]

WASHINGTON — The nation’s capital has all but lost its black majority, and African-American leaders are wondering what that will do to blacks’ political power. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia in Congress, will speak about the implications of the 2010 Census results at a forum Wednesday. The Census showed that […]

CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver has responded to critics saying that his organization wasn’t as proactive in attacking the president until President Obama took office. The claim that a Black president taking office was all it took for the Congressional Black Caucus to reengage in the issues bothers Cleaver. “If (former President) Bill Clinton had been […]

The Congressional Black Caucus is mostly known for its old guard of Black politicians. But, like many organizations, a new crop of fresh, young members are taking over the CBC and trying to spread their message across all ages. Check out some excerpts from a Washington Post article below on the new changes: In January […]

Four days after President Obama laid out the American Jobs Act for Congress, he took his message to a public forum attended by over 100 African Americans at the White House and live-streamed over the Internet, imploring them to help get the bill passed. “We are at a critical juncture in our country and this […]

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) launched a “For the People” Jobs Initiative in response to alarmingly high unemployment rates in Black America, offering hope to many Black job seekers during these troubling economic times. theGrio had a unique vantage point on the tour, having streamed all five stops and having sent correspondents to moderate each […]

Florida Congressman Alan West says he’s contemplating leaving the Congressional Black Caucus after fellow caucus member Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind) told attendees at a recent CBC town hall metting that the Tea Party would love to see Black people hanging from trees. See also: Black Congressman: “Tea Party Would Love To See Us Hanging From […]

MIAMI — African American congressman Andre Carson from Indiana had harsh words for the Tea Party at a recent Congressional Black Caucus event in Miami. He compared the Tea Party movement to the efforts of Jim Crow and directly addressed members of congress affiliated with the movement. The Huffington Post reports: “This is the effort […]