By V.S. Santoni Ronnie Long, a Black North Carolina man, has received a historic $25 million settlement, marking the second-largest wrongful conviction settlement recorded. Wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in 1976, Long spent 44 years in prison before being exonerated. The city of Concord settled for $22 million, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation settled for $3 million. Long’s attorneys, from Duke Law School’s Wrongful Convictions Clinic, highlighted flaws in his trial, including biased jury selection and the disappearance of a rape kit. Long, 21 at the time of his conviction, did not match the suspect…
Author: V.S. Santoni
By V.S. Santoni In anticipation of the upcoming Oscars, Hollywood hosted a private, untelevised dinner on Tuesday night, shining a spotlight on, among other notable actors, the illustrious life and exceptional career of Angela Bassett. Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the event served as a heartfelt tribute to the iconic actress ahead of her honorary Oscar recognition. Angela Bassett, a luminary with a career spanning several decades, is set to receive well-deserved acclaim during the Oscars ceremony. Recognized for her versatility and unparalleled talent, she stands as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Notably, her powerful portrayal…
By V.S. Santoni The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the withholding of payments to three student loan servicers, Aidvantage, EdFinancial, and Nelnet, due to their failure to meet contractual obligations. These companies neglected to send timely billing statements to a total of 758,000 borrowers during the initial repayment month. As a consequence, the Department of Education is withholding $2 million from Aidvantage, $161,000 from EdFinancial, and $13,000 from Nelnet. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized that the administration will not tolerate poor performance from student loan servicers, asserting a commitment to aggressive oversight and prioritizing borrower interests. To address the…
By V.S. Santoni In a significant tribute to the enduring legacy of Harriet Tubman, the U.S. Mint has unveiled a new coin set under the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program. The collection, encompassing a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar coin, intricately showcases Tubman’s pivotal roles as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a Union nurse during the Civil War, and in her later years as a prominent figure in American history. Born into slavery in the early 1820s, Harriet Tubman escaped bondage and subsequently dedicated her life to aiding others on the path to freedom.…
By V.S. Santoni Censure, a formal reprimand by the House, serves as a stern rebuke without the immediate consequence of expulsion. Unlike removal from office, censure is a powerful but less severe measure, allowing the House to express disapproval or condemnation of a member’s actions. Typically carried out through a resolution, censure is a public declaration, serving both symbolic and disciplinary purposes. The process of censure requires a simple majority vote in the House. Once censured, a member faces public scrutiny and the potential for political fallout. However, the individual retains their position, continuing to represent their constituency with diminished…
By V.S. Santoni Menthol cigarettes have long been a source of controversy. While some argue that menthol offers a smoother taste and a perceived sense of freshness, others express concern about the potential health implications and the marketing strategies targeting specific demographics. One of the main attractions of menthol cigarettes is the cooling sensation they provide, which can mask the harshness of tobacco smoke. The minty flavor can make smoking more palatable for individuals who may find regular cigarettes too intense. Menthol’s appeal extends beyond taste, with some smokers perceiving it as a breath freshener, leading to a perceived sense…
By V.S. Santoni On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old seamstress, made a courageous decision that would ignite the Montgomery Bus Boycott and catalyze the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Parks, having boarded a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, after work, refused to yield her seat to a White man as the bus became crowded, challenging the segregated seating norms. Subsequently, Parks was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Her arrest became a pivotal moment in history, prompting members of the Congressional Black Caucus to commemorate the 68th anniversary of this event by advocating for the declaration…
By V.S. Santoni Tracy Chapman, the acclaimed American singer-songwriter and guitarist, recently made history by becoming the first Black songwriter to receive the prestigious Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award. This landmark achievement was propelled by Luke Combs’ cover of Chapman’s iconic 1988 hit, “Fast Car.” As we celebrate this milestone, it’s essential to acknowledge the broader context of racial disparities within the country music industry and the challenges faced by Black entertainers seeking recognition in this historically white-dominated genre. Tracy Chapman rose to prominence in the late 1980s. Born on March 30, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, Chapman’s…
By V.S. Santoni In memory of the late saxophonist James Casey, whose life was cut short at 40 by colon cancer in August 2023, a special concert was held at Brooklyn Bowl on Monday, Nov. 6. This unique event pays homage to Casey’s musical prowess and amplifies the urgent need to address the disproportionate impact of colorectal cancer on Black and Brown communities, along with the concerning rise in early-onset cases. James Casey, an influential saxophonist, and advocate for colorectal cancer awareness, envisioned a celebratory event rather than a traditional memorial service. Curated by Louis Cato and Raydar Ellis, the…
By V.S. Santoni Over three million Americans currently reside in a situation where they lack the ability to elect their representatives, vote for the resident of the United States, and witness all local leaders’ decisions subject to approval by an unelected board holding veto power over enacted laws. Although this might evoke memories of Jim Crow America, it is, in fact, the current situation in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The history of Puerto Rico throughout the 20th century is intricately tied to a series of U.S. Supreme Court cases known as the Insular Cases, which solidified Puerto Rico’s…