Civil rights and women’s rights activist, lawyer, scholar, poet, and Episcopal priest Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was the first to use the term “Jane Crow” to describe the racism and misogyny African-American women faced in the post-Reconstruction era leading up to the civil rights movement. Their* work and activism helped shape legal ideas and arguments for gender and racial equality in the decades leading up to the civil rights movement.
Read moreDon't Be Caught Offside - Know the (NFL) Rules
The most reviled squad on a professional football field is not necessarily the opposing team but rather the group of officials that make up the officiating crew. The referees don’t make up the rules; they merely enforce them. However, tell that to any New Orleans Saints fan upset about the pass interference non-call during the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 or to a Buffalo Bills fan incensed about the current overtime rules for playoff games where a flip of the coin ultimately determines who wins and who goes home. In many cases, such controversial rules will be reviewed by the National Football League’s Competition Committee and perhaps amended to better reflect fairness and prevent outcomes such as those mentioned above. Love them or hate them, the rules are there for a reason. In the case of the NFL, the rules are designed to promote player safety and encourage fairness of play while still encouraging competition and consistency. With the big game* scheduled for this Sunday in Los Angeles, we thought it would be fun to look at the official 2021 NFL Rulebook and the process behind the creation and amendment of these rules.
Read moreThe 3G Sunset: Implications for Low-Income Americans
All of the major cellphone carriers — AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — are planning to shut-down their older 3G networks this year. Millions of people in the United States who use 3G phones and other 3G devices will be unable to text, make calls, or even reach 911. If you are currently relying on a 3G network for your devices – phones, home security systems, vehicle navigation services, personal medical alert devices, or some e-readers – you will be affected by this change. To encourage the transition to newer devices, some service providers are offering substantial discounts and/or trade-in options on new smartphones. However, even discounted phones may be financially out-of-reach for many users. Marginalized or low-income users and the elderly, as well as rural and prepaid mobile customers, will feel the impact of this change.
Read moreCents and Sensibility: U.S. Currency Design Law and Procedure
U.S. currency is periodically redesigned to mitigate counterfeiting threats. The Coinage Act, passed by Congress on April 2nd, 1792, created the first national Mint in Philadelphia, and established a national currency system. The last two hundred years has seen many changes to the design of our paper money and coins.
Read moreBlack Health & Wellness: Five African Americans Who Significantly Impacted Public Health
Yesterday marked the beginning of Black History Month, and the theme for 2022 is “Black Health and Wellness.” Today’s blog post focuses on five African Americans who have had a significant impact on public health, despite working “in a system which historically subjugated and exploited black Americans” and “denied access to the very systems and institutions that they helped improve.”
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