By Ivan Sanchez As National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, new federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a troubling trend: the suicide rate among Black youth ages 10 to 19 surpassed that of their white peers for the first time in 2022. This alarming development calls for urgent attention to mental health care within the Black community. The data reveals a stark increase in suicide rates among Black adolescents. From 2018 to 2022, the suicide rate for Black youth surged by 54%, rising from 5.3 to 8.1 deaths per 100,000…
Author: Ivan Sanchez
By Ivan Sanchez The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent 6-2 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo marks a significant shift in administrative law, potentially limiting government policymakers’ ability to address critical national issues. Chevron deference, established in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984), allowed appellate courts to defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of its governing statute. However, this principle was overturned in the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision, reinstating de novo review for all statutory interpretation questions. Under this new standard, appellate courts can freely substitute their own interpretation of a…
By Ivan Sanchez Arna Bontemps, a pivotal figure of the Harlem Renaissance, made significant contributions to literature and African American culture during his tenure in Nashville, Tennessee. Born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on October 13, 1902, Bontemps relocated to Nashville in 1943, where he served as a librarian and professor at Fisk University until his retirement in 1965. At Fisk University, a historically Black institution renowned for its contributions to African American culture, Bontemps curated and expanded the university’s special collections related to African American literature and history. His role as a librarian allowed him to preserve and…
By Ivan Sanchez The Nashville Student Movement, a key driver of the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s, played a crucial role in dismantling segregation and advocating for racial equality in the United States. Composed primarily of students from local colleges such as Fisk University, Tennessee State University and American Baptist College, the movement became a model for nonviolent action and grassroots organizing. The Nashville Student Movement gained national prominence with its well-coordinated sit-in campaign aimed at desegregating downtown lunch counters. On Feb. 13, 1960, inspired by the Greensboro sit-ins in North Carolina, a group of Black students, led…
By Ivan Sanchez The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law prohibiting gun possession by individuals convicted of domestic abuse, countering gun rights groups’ claims that the ban infringes on Second Amendment rights. The 8-1 ruling is a notable constraint on a significant 2022 decision that had unleashed numerous challenges to gun laws nationwide. The ruling, which saw both conservative and liberal justices aligned, supports federal regulations aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of those deemed dangerous. The 2022 ruling had left lower courts grappling with the interpretation of Second Amendment cases. Chief Justice John Roberts,…
By Ivan Sanchez The Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, are widely recognized as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. However, the pivotal roles of Black and Latino individuals in this historic uprising are often overshadowed. The Stonewall Inn served as a sanctuary for many marginalized groups, including Black and Latino LGBTQ+ people who regularly faced discrimination and violence. On the night of the raid, the frustration and anger among patrons, stemming from years of systemic oppression, erupted into a fierce confrontation with police.…
By Ivan Sanchez The nation marked the 57th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, celebrating a ruling that significantly altered the legal and social landscape of the United States by overturning laws banning interracial marriage. This historic decision, delivered on June 12, 1967, remains a cornerstone in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality. The case was brought by Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple from Virginia who faced a one-year prison sentence for marrying in violation of the state’s anti-miscegenation laws. Their legal battle culminated in a unanimous Supreme Court decision,…
By Ivan Sanchez Since taking office, President Joe Biden has repeatedly urged Congress to address the United States’ immigration challenges and secure the Southern border. Despite Congress’s inaction, President Biden has taken significant steps to strengthen border security. His administration has deployed a record number of agents and officers to the Southern border, intercepted unprecedented quantities of illicit fentanyl, and collaborated with international leaders to address evolving migration trends across the Western Hemisphere. Earlier this year, the Biden administration achieved a historic bipartisan agreement with Senate Democrats and Republicans to implement major reforms in immigration law. This agreement proposed adding…
By Ivan Sanchez Every June, Pride Month commemorates the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, celebrating the community’s diversity, resilience, and achievements. While this month honors many facets of LGBTQ+ history, the contributions of Black Americans have been particularly significant and deserve special recognition. The roots of Pride Month trace back to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Among the leading figures at Stonewall were Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two prominent activists of color. Johnson, a Black transgender woman, played a crucial role in the riots and subsequent activism,…
By Ivan Sanchez Gladys Bentley, born August 12, 1907, in Philadelphia, was a pioneering African American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer. A trailblazer in the Harlem Renaissance, Bentley is celebrated for her unapologetic presence in the music scene and her bold defiance of gender norms and societal expectations. Bentley’s career took off in the 1920s and 1930s, a period marked by the flourishing of African American arts and culture in Harlem. She was known for her deep, powerful voice and her dynamic stage presence. Donning men’s clothing, Bentley performed with a commanding and charismatic energy that captivated audiences. Her signature…