60 years after Rosa Parks’ arrest launched modern civil rights era, ‘our work isn’t finished’
MONTGOMERY, ALA. While Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Alabama bus, the 60th anniversary of her arrest also highlighted lesser-known pioneers of the bus boycott she sparked. Mrs. Parks made history by taking a stand alongside other desegregation pioneers like Claudette Colvin, a black teenager arrested nine months earlier in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, said Fred D. Gray, a lawyer who represented both women.
Police chief out amid protests of teen’s murder in Chicago
Chicago’s police chief was ousted on Tuesday following days of unrest over video footage showing the police shooting of a black teenager and the subsequent filing of murder charges against a white police officer in the young man’s death. The white officer, Jason Van Dyke, was charged Nov. 24 with first-degree murder in the killing of Laquan McDonald, 17, who was shot 16 times. The video of the killing was released on the day the former officer was charged.
Pope Francis draws crowds, gives hope during historic visit
Pope Francis dove into some of the United States’ thorniest political debates during his historic six-day visit by urging the world’s wealthiest nation to welcome immigrants, end homelessness and do more to address climate change. Sometimes his political messages were blunt, like when he pleaded before the U.S. Congress for Americans to end “hostility” toward immigrants. Other times, they were more subtle, like the climate-conscious pope’s decision to ride around in a tiny Fiat rather than a gas-guzzling SUV.
Actress Viola Davis makes Emmy history
After 67 years, an African-American woman has won the honor for best lead actress in a drama series at the Emmy Awards. Viola Davis notched the historic win Sunday night before a mostly white audience at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards. She won for her role as a tough criminal defense lawyer in ABC’s drama series “How to Get Away with Murder.”
Blake vows to use police takedown as ‘catalyst for change’
The New York City Police Department on Friday released a security camera video showing former tennis star James Blake being tackled, thrown to the ground and handcuffed by an undercover officer in a case of mistaken identity. The incident occurred as Mr. Blake, formerly the world’s fourth-ranked player, was calmly standing by the entrance of a midtown Manhattan hotel, waiting for a car to take him to the U.S. Open.
‘War Room,’ with black cast, sleeper Christian hit
The box office underwent a religious conversion last weekend as Christian crowds flocked to see “War Room,” lifting the low-budget salute to prayer above two other more highly publicized debut films — the Zac Efron drama “We’re Your Friends” and the Owen Wilson thriller “No Escape.”
Serena wins tuneup for U.S. Open
Serena Williams got ready for the U.S. Open with a victory Sunday at the Western & Southern Open Tournament in Cincinnati.
Rapper Lecrae leads Dove Award nominations
Christian rapper Lecrae, whose album “Anomaly” has topped the charts, leads the pack of nominees for the 46th Annual Dove Awards with seven nominations, including artist of the year.
Straight Outta Compton’ box office hit rakes in $60.2M over weekend debut
“Straight Outta Compton,” the N.W.A. biopic produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, blew away industry expectations over the weekend with a $60.2 million debut.
Danville removes Confederate flag from city museum
A rebel flag no longer flies from a historic city-owned mansion in this southern Virginia city that briefly served as the third and final capitol of the Confederacy.
Family discord mars memorial service for Bobbi Kristina
Bobbi Kristina Brown was buried early Monday afternoon next to her iconic mother, Whitney Houston, at a cemetery in New Jersey.
Officer charged in killing motorist
“He purposely killed him.” That’s how an Ohio prosecutor described a white police officer’s gruesome actions in gunning down an unarmed African-American motorist he pulled over for not having a front license plate.
Baseball pioneer Ernie Banks dies at 83
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, the pioneering and famously affable slugger hailed by the team as “the greatest Cub in franchise history,” died Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at age 83, the club announced.
Did Miss Jamaica’s hair cut short her chance?
Halle Berry won an Academy Award for her dramatic role in the 2002 movie “Monster’s Ball” with a beautiful, short hairstyle. So why, an astonished audience at Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant protested, didn’t their overwhelming favorite win? Their favorite: Short-haired beauty Miss Jamaica, 22-year-old Kaci Fennell.
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