Is Hanging a Noose a Hate Crime?
The Connecticut legislature passed a bill that would make hanging a noose on public or private property with the intent to intimidate a person a classified hate crime, reports WFSB.com. The bill, according to legislators, came as a result of several noose-hanging incidents around the state, including a noose being left in a Coast Guard cadet's bag. If enacted, Connecticut's bill would fine the offender from $2,000 to $5,000 and carry a possible jail sentence from one to five years. There has been a national outcry of nooses since the Jena 6 incident. Several states have considered passing similar laws. Check out the DiversityInc Noose Watch, our exclusive national map documenting these racist incidents across the country, and read what DiversityInc readers say seeing a noose means to them.
Gay, Lesbian Veterans May Get Equal Benefits
State legislators in Massachusetts are considering a bill that would require the state's Executive Office of Veteran Affairs to provide veterans discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy the same financial benefits non-gay and lesbian veterans receive, reports The Advocate.com. The bill would not regulate federal funding and has met some wariness. Sens. Scott Brown and Thomas McGee, co-chairs of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, caution the bill may jeopardize federal dollars because it goes against "strict policies." Read The Personal Horror of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.
Supreme Court OKs Health-Benefit Cuts for Retirees
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled employers are justified in reducing healthcare benefits for millions of retirees who are eligible for Medicare despite claims of age discrimination, reports the Los Angeles Times. The court's decision upholds the rule that says the "coordination of health benefits with Medicare are exempt from the anti-age-bias law," despite the AARP's defense that the rule will "clear the way for employers to discrimination on the basis of age," reports the Times. Now employers are free to cut employee health-benefit programs for current and retired employees and are also free to change their benefit policies. For more, read Age Discrimination: What You Need to Know on DiversityInc.com.
Latino Soldiers 10 Percent of Military Death Toll
The number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq reached 4,000 last weekend. New American Media (NAM) reports that, of that number, 10.7 percent, or 422soldiers were Latino soldiers. Many of them joined the military in order to "give back" to their country, while others sought the benefits the military provides, such as going to college; others sought a chance to change their immigration status, reports NAM. Find out how you can honor our veterans.
Latin Music Legend Dies
Israel "Cachao" Lopez, the bassist and composer of the song "Mambo," died Saturday. He was 89. Lopez began his career playing for silent moves at age 9 and by age 12 had joined the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra, reports National Public Radio. He is often credited with having popularized Latin music in the United States.
Old Black Student Newspaper in Financial Trouble
The Hilltop, Howard University's student newspaper and the oldest daily Black-run student newspaper in the country, will not be published indefinitely because of financial constraints, reports Black College Wire. The newspaper, founded in 1924, owes its printer, The Washington Times, $48,000 for printing during the fall. Shortly after discovering the debt, the schools administration halted production and said they will discuss ways to settle the debt. "The university administration is not happy that school newspaper is not being published. They're having conversations right now to discuss how did this happen, are there systemic problems, and what do we need to change to make sure it doesn't happen again," Ron Harris, director of the office of communications, told Black College Wire.
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