Tags: politics

Jill Norgren reviews: Miss Anne in Harlem expands our understanding of the Harlem Renaissance. It is a story about female independence, race, and most of all unconventional lives — lives, Carla Kaplan writes, that are by definition the most difficult ones to live — and to judge. The book commands attention because it joins other memoir, biography, and political works that give us insight into the personalities and power. more »

Pamela Prah writes: After four years of a fragile and uneven recovery, the US job machine is likely to kick into high gear in 2014. Even recession-battered states such as Arizona and Florida are expected to generate jobs at a healthier clip. Overall, the economy is projected to generate 2.6 million jobs in 2014 year, up from 2.2 million last year, largely on the strength of the country’s booming health care, energy and high-tech sectors. more »

“Whether a planned pregnancy has gone horribly wrong and a woman needs a medically necessary D & C procedure, or the deplorable and devastating acts of rape or incest have resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, the Senate Republicans’ passage of this cold-hearted rape insurance proposal means Michigan women now have to anticipate the unimaginable and plan to have these unspeakable things happen to them." more »

Since the beginning of 2013, and as of August 6, 2013, restrictive voting bills have been introduced in more than half the states: At least 82 restrictive bills were introduced in 31 states. Of those, 7 restrictive bills are still pending in 4 states. Eight states have already passed nine restrictive bills this session. Just recently, North Carolina passed a law that mandates a Photo ID is required to vote, eliminates same-day registration, eliminates pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-old citizens, and reduces the early voting period. more »