Lawsuits Challenge Auto-Loan Discrimination Practices

If you're black or Latino, you are more likely to be overcharged for auto loans, new research reveals. But Stuart Rossman of the National Consumer Law Center said, "We had 11 lawsuits, the last of the cases settled last month. We reached a settlement with each of the finance firms. Our cases involved discrimination. We believe the terms of the settlements will eliminate discrimination." In 2004, blacks paid a typical auto-loan rate of 7 percent for new cars, compared with a rate of 5 percent for whites, according to the consumer organization's analysis of the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances. Latinos were paying a typical rate of 5.5 percent for new car loans.

Michelle Obama Campaigns for Husband

Just in case he gets tired, Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, has got her husband covered. Michelle Obama, a 43-year-old Chicago hospital executive, has as much presence as some presidential candidates. While Barack Obama was in Detroit speaking about fuel efficiency and the auto industry, Michelle Obama told Democrats gathered for a house party in Windham, N.H., that "Barack has given people that hope, but he's going to get tired. This is a long campaign. I joke he's not going to be able to bring people to tears with every speech that he makes. He's going to make stumbles."

City Punishes L.A. Police Officer Over Immigration Demonstration

The city of Los Angeles has decided to demote one of its highest ranking officers, Chief Cayler Carter Jr., for engaging in a violent confrontation between officers and demonstrators during the national immigration rally last week. (See also: Bullets & Bottles at L.A. Immigration Rally, Peaceful Elsewhere) Carter, a 30-year-old veteran of the LAPD, was one of officers responsible for the firing of 148 rubber bullets and using forceful tactics to break up the rally in MacArthur Park. His punishment includes a reduction in his ranking. He's also been moved out of the Central Bureau, which he currently heads. Carter has been temporarily ordered to work from home while investigations into the episode proceed. Read more.

50 Years After Little Rock, the Racial Struggle Continues

Fifty years after the epic desegregation struggle at Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., the school district is still suffering from racial conflict. While white parents are supportive of the school district's superintendent, Roy Brooks, who is black, black school board members are determined to use their recent majority to oust him. According to whites, test scores and enrollment have improved because of Brooks, whereas blacks on the board are furious that he has cut jobs and closed some schools. Read more.

Study Finds Lack of Diversity on Major Cable Networks

Media Matters, the watchdog journalism site, has released a special news report called "Locked Out: The Lack of Gender & Ethnic Diversity on Cable News Continues," which documents the absence of gender and racial/ethnic diversity on the major primetime cable news programs. The report examined three major cable news networks from 7 to 10 p.m. The results showed that women and people of color were severely underrepresented as guests on the cable networks leading up to and after the Don Imus controversy. The study only found a slight increase in the racial/ethnic diversity during the controversy. Read more.  

Getting Diversity in Foundations

Steve Gunderson, president of the Council on Foundations, plans to make diversity one of the organization's central goals. Last week in an interview with The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Gunderson said in an effort to make diversity a priority, the council has created a new title, director of diversity programs. Doing this, Gunderson believes, will help promote diversity among the 2,000 grant makers the organization represents. Some critics, including the blog site The Nonprofiteer, feel this effort may not be enough to push for more diversity in the foundation world. Read more.

Theater Production Reaches Blacks

The producers of the Broadway play "Radio Golf" are hoping the $2-million production will garner appeal from the black community. Producers for the play have hired five marketing firms to promote the show, which was written by August Wilson and is about a black businessman who wants to run for mayor of Pittsburgh. Wilson, who passed away in 2005, won two Pulitzer Prizes. 

Los Angeles TV Networks Aim for Bilingual TV 

Los Angeles is quickly becoming the hub of bilingual and English-language TV for bicultural young Latinos who are equally comfortable with both Spanish and English languages. The city has long rivaled the Latinos communities in both Miami and New York, but recent weeks have highlighted L.A. as a major player to young bilingual Latino viewers who want to stay connected to their parents' and grandparents' cultural heritage. This includes the rising success of mun2, part of Telemundo-NBC Universal-General Electric, its unveiling of a conglomerate building and its recent introduction of a whole host of new programs this year in an attempt to diversify its image and broaden its appeal to a younger demographic. Mun2's ratings have doubled across its broadcast schedule. 

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