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Opinions

A Win for Black Entrepreneurship: Is the New FTC Ban Good for Black Businesses?

     In what has since created shockwaves across the nation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 for banning noncompete agreements, which goes into effect 120 days after the rule is officially published in the Federal Register. This decision will undoubtedly have significant impact on both employers and employees alike, but what about Black entrepreneurs? 

Opinions

Africa is the Youngest Continent on the Planet – Median Age 19 By Roger Caldwell Africa is rising and there is a” youthquake” happening on the 54 countries populating the continent. It covers an area larger than China, Europe, India, and the United States combined, and there are 1.4 billion people living there in many different cultures and climates. By 2030 young Africans are expected to constitute, 42% of global youth, and in Africa 60% of the African population are under the age of 25. African youth hold the key to the development of the continent. In 1950, the African continent held 8% of the world’s population, and by 2050 the continent will hold a quarter (25%) of the world’s population. With today’s youth in Africa, they are taking active roles in shaping the future, in start-ups, in agriculture, industry, IT, and sustainability. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is starting to set up companies being run with individuals under 35 years of age, with $2 billion of funding. Even though there are major business taking place in certain cities such as Accra, Nairobi, Cairo, and Benguerir, there is still about 50% of most countries don’t have electricity. Chronic unemployment is everywhere on the continent, and this is a major crisis. In the countries where there is Democracy, they are controlled by old men with young voters. In almost every country in Africa there is some form of crime with officials, and violence is used to keep the leadership in control. Aids and Sexually Transmitted Diseases are in many of the 54 countries on the continent and health and wellness is a priority. Clean water in many countries is difficult because rain water is used for cooking, washing, and drinking. All over the continent there is insufficient rainfall, high temperatures and there is a crisis. The drought has always been in different countries but in 2023 it has intensified into Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The lack of rain has affected the agriculture sector, and now there are problems with feeding families and a need for assistance from other continents. With the entire different crisis on the continent, Africa’s political reach is growing. China, Russia, United States, Turkey, Arabs, and Europe are fighting each other to get huge reserves of the minerals needed to make electric cars and solar panels. Recently, the African Union joined the Group of 20, the primer group for international economic cooperation, taking a seat at the same table as the European Union. Hilton plans to build 65 new hotels on the continent and new markets are opening up such as cosmetics, organic foods, and fashion. Education is the key for the youthquake taking over the continent and policymakers must create a functional system that benefits the youth and businesses. Hip hop is affecting the youth on an international level, and there will be new classes of millionaires who will help create a new infrastructure. At this year’s 8th Tokyo international Conference on African Development, the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi A. Adesine announced the launch of the African Education Science, Technology and innovation Fund stating, “Together we have a unique opportunity to reach millions of youth with education.” Higher education in Africa needs financing. The continent’s growing need for knowledge and economy is also a boom for business and more jobs. As 54 countries work to solve their massive problems, the leadership must not forget its most valuable asset by far, “the young Africans.”

     In 1950, the African continent held 8% of the world’s population, and by 2050 the continent will hold a quarter (25%) of the world’s population. With today’s youth in Africa, they are taking active roles in shaping the future, in start-ups, in agriculture, industry, IT, and sustainability. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is starting to set up companies being run with individuals under 35 years of age, with $2 billion of funding.

Opinions

Let’s Rethink the War in Ukraine

     Although Kennedy’s words seem reasonable, the fact is that the United States has repeatedly refused to negotiate with the Russian Federation about the crisis in Ukraine, starting even before the Russian invasion in early 2022. Beyond that, the US exerted its influence to help halt talks between Ukraine and Russia in March of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion. At that time the Ukrainian position was much stronger, having just thrown the Russians back from the gates of Kiev. The US again refused to engage in talks as recently as February of 2024. This US rejection of diplomacy may not be out of fear, but is unhelpful to the cause of peace.

Opinions

A Full Court Press to Get the Lead Out

       There’s nothing quite like seeing a kid who was born healthy but now suffers cognitive impairment and is prone to outbursts of anger. As a volunteer restoring six-story walk-ups in Harlem in the early 90s, I saw how lead paint chips and dust were wreaking havoc on the kids in those low-income buildings.

Opinions

The Nuclear Age Is Already Over

     Either nuclear weapons kill us or we move beyond them, soon. Via mass death or the building a new security system, the nuclear age is finished. The nuclear deterrence system that the world presently relies upon for its security is rotten, evil, completely unworkable, and obsolete. It is nuclear war waiting to happen, a war no one can or would win. But we remain ostriches with heads deep in sand, waiting passively for an inevitable holocaust apparently too big to prevent.

Opinions

The Forgotten Element in Averting Nuclear Catastrophe

     In recent decades, however, nuclear-armed nations have scrapped nuclear arms control and disarmament treaties, begun the massive upgrading and expansion of their nuclear arsenals, and publicly threatened other nations with nuclear war. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which has assessed the nuclear situation since 1946, has turned the hands of its “Doomsday Clock” to 90 seconds to midnight, the most dangerous setting in its history.

Opinions

Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities

     NNPA NEWSWIRE – MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. From restrictive voter ID laws to purging voter rolls to limiting early voting hours, these measures are designed to silence the voices of marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Opinions

America’s High Noon, Presidential Election Day

   America finds itself facing a tumultuous event like the one depicted in the Hollywood blockbuster movie entitled, “High Noon,” starring Gary Cooper, as Marshall Will Kane. Marshall Kane who’s about to retire and leave town learns that a vicious outlaw, Frank Miller who he sent to prison, now released, is coming to kill him. Kane’s integrity compels him to stay despite the townsmen’s cowardness and his newly wed bride pleas for them to flee. Also, unable to flee, America’s voters face being terrorized by Trump at high noon, November 5, 2024, “Presidential Election Day.”