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Are We All Really Africans?
By Rebecca White
July 12, 2007
Are We All Really Africans?
Researchers at Cornell University studying genome sequences have provided more support for the theory that we are all from Africa. According to the study, the changes in skin-pigmentation genes occurred as a result of humans experiencing different climates over the course of their migration from Africa, over the last 15,000 to 100,000 years. Skin colors thus had to adapt to their new environments in order for the migratory people to survive. The study also found that 10 percent of the human genome may have changed recently. The study of the genome sequences in African Americans, European Americans, and Chinese suggest that natural selection is the cause of this startling human-genome change. What did the study prove about brain development between various geographical groups? Read more.
Gay Groups Oppose Surgeon-General Nominee
James W. Holsinger, President Bush's nominee for surgeon general, will find out if his nomination goes through today. Holsinger, who wrote a paper in 1991 that claimed gay sex goes against the male anatomy, faces a confirmation hearing at the Senate today. In advance of the hearing, gay-rights groups, the American Public Health Association and 35 members of the House of Representatives have lined up in disapproval of the nominee. Many of Holsinger's opponents feel he is not qualified to be surgeon general. Since the paper was written, "The science has deepened with continued research on these issues. Dr. Holsinger remains focused on addressing the health of all in need, including gay and lesbian populations, consistent with sound science and the best medical practices," said Health and Human Services spokesperson Christina Pearson to The Houston Chronicle.
(See also: The Holsinger Controversy: Confirmation Hearing for Bush Surgeon-General Nominee Set for Tomorrow)
Black Women Sue Toys 'R' Us for Discrimination
Is Toys 'R' Us racially profiling? Two black women are suing the toy store for discrimination and unjust scrutiny during a shopping trip in a Bronx, N.Y., store. Patricia Drayton and Valerie Kirk, who filed suit in Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday, claim that a security guard asked them to show their sales receipts for no apparent reason. When the women refused, they were made to wait while the cashier verified their purchases. Was this because they were black? The lawsuit is accusing Toys 'R' Us of subjecting black customers--and not white customers--to receipt inspections upon leaving the store. Drayton and Kirk seeking damages of at least $200 million on behalf of the class. Toys 'R' Us was not available for comment according to Yahoonews.com.
Simpsons' Kwik-E-Marts Pop Up, But Where Is Apu?
What will the Simpsons come up with next? In promotion of the July 27 opening of "The Simpsons Movie," 7-Eleven Inc. turned a dozen stores into Kwik-E-Marts. Many of 7-Eleven's franchises are owned by Asian Indian Americans, as is the fictional Simpsons character Apu. The character was originally based on a store manager in Los Angeles and plays to stereotypes about Asian immigrants and convenience-store owners reports CNN.com. How do these franchise owners feel about the store's transformations? Are they offended by the promotion and the Kwik-E-Mart idea?
Who Spends Most on Electronics?
From computers to cell phones to high-tech television sets, women are out-shopping men, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). "For a long time there's been a misconception that women don't like technology and we've really shown over the past several years that's just not true," says Megan Pollock of the CEA about the recent female frenzy. Last year alone, women accounted for the majority of the nearly $150 billion spent on consumer electronics. Why are women flocking to new-age gadgets? "They want something that fits into their lifestyle, that makes their life easier, that they can just pull out of the box and use without any kind of fuss," says CNET's Veronica Belmont. A survey by the CEA found that 64 percent of women surveyed would pick a digital camera over half-carat diamond-stud earrings at a comparable price. In light of this growing consumer trend, how are manufacturers feminizing their products to woo these "gadget geekettes?" Read more.
Most Working Moms Prefer Part Time
Most working moms prefer part-time jobs, according to a Pew Research Center Survey being released today. Of those surveyed, only 21 percent of working mothers with children younger than 18 considered working full time as their ideal work scenario. This is down from 32 percent in 1997. The majority of the women, 60 percent, said they would prefer a part-time job, up from 48 percent in 1997. Why don't women want to work as much? Cary Funk of the Pew Research Center said ideals have changed. "I don't think it means people are going to give up their jobs," says Funk. "It's more of an expression of the difficulties of combining responsibilities at work and home" states The Houston Chronicle. What does this mean for the future of America's changing work force?
Is Male Sexual Harassment Real?
Can men really be the victims of sexual harassment? Absolutely. "Many people mistakenly believe that harassment is limited to females," says human-resource expert Roberta Chinsky Matuson. "The truth is that this type of experience is just as damaging to men." Despite stereotypes that men can't be sexually victimized, numbers prove that this is no joke. According to The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the number of sexual-harassment filings by men has increased consistently, even though the overall number of sexual-harassment cases has been declining. Last year, there were nearly 2,000 filing charges with the EEOC made by men. What is making men more likely to speak up about being sexually harassed? Read more.
(See also: Man-to-Man Harassment at Work Surging)
Black Groups Tell Churches to Fight More Than Just AIDS
The Balm Gilead, an organization that has worked with black houses of worship for almost two decades fighting AIDS, is expanding its focus to address more health issues. "We know that HIV is not the only issue that we must address as a people," says Pernessa Seele, the founder and CEO of the organization, which moved from its base in Richmond, Va., to New York last year. The group will include cervical cancer and hepatitis C in its advocacy and education efforts. The Balm Gilead also announced that it will create the African American Faith-based Health Policy Institute to be run out of its new Washington, D.C., office. What other health and faith-based innovations are being spearheaded? Read more.
Local Immigration Laws Target Businesses
In the absence of comprehensive federal immigration reform, local and state governments are enforcing their own sets of laws. Those most affected by new laws are businesses that hire undocumented workers. Any business found with undocumented workers in the affected states will be threatened with losing their operating licenses and being severely fined if they employ undocumented workers. Eighteen states have passed 57 immigration laws this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In addition, at least 20 cities and counties have also passed their own forms of immigration legislation, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. "There's a political vacuum, and state and local governments are moving into it," says Georgia's labor commissioner, Michael Thurmond. Which other areas have made recent changes to their immigration laws? Read more.
Civil-Rights Preacher Dies
Boyzie Daniels, a Baptist minister and freedom fighter, died at age 91 on Saturday. Daniels was best known for registering black people to vote in 1946 and for his role in the Moore's Ford Bridge lynchings of July 25, 1946. He was documented in Laura Wexler's book Fire in a Canebrake: the Last Mass Lynching in America about the mob killings of two black couples that drew international attention and influenced President Truman to do something about civil rights. How else did Daniels help change America? Read more.
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