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cbc swearing in

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Chairman participate in a ceremonial swearing-in, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. on Capitol Hill in Washington, as the 114th Congress began . (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Hundreds gathered in the nation’s capital Tuesday morning for the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) swearing-in ceremony for both newly elected and current members of the 114th Congress. Forty-six African-American men and women took oath during the ceremony, making it the largest group of representatives to be sworn in to the CBC. One of the 46 was Republican Rep. Mia Love, who became the first Black female Republican in Congress. Rep. G.K. Butterfield will lead the CBC as chairman. He plans on tackling poverty and other issues that have plagued the African-American community. “As we stand here now on the dawn of a new Congress, the 114th Congress, we must tell the full story — for many Black Americans, they are not even close to realizing the American dream. Depending on where they live, an economic depression hangs over their head, and it is burdening their potential and the potential of their children. Black America is in a state of emergency today as it was at the turn of the century,” he said during the ceremony. “There will be times when I will encourage the CBC to reach across the aisle and try to reach some bipartisan deals that will not make us feel good, but will move the needle in our communities and communities of color.” Read more.


FCC To Vote on Broadband Internet Rules Next Month

According to reports, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote in February on rules to manage how Internet service providers handle traffic on their high-speed networks. The agency’s spokeswoman, Kim Hart, said that the five-member FCC group will contemplate implementing a proposal from Chairman Tom Wheeler on net neutrality rules. President Barack Obama has been vocal about getting the FCC to have service providers follow the same rules as those enforced on telephone companies 80 years ago. He believes that all online traffic should be treated alike and provided with the same access. “For almost a century, our law has recognized that companies who connect you to the world have special obligations not to exploit the monopoly they enjoy over access in to and out of your home or business,” he said. “It is common sense that the same philosophy should guide any service that is based on the transmission of information — whether a phone call or a packet of data.” The vote will most likely take place on February 26th. Read more.


New Documentary To Explore Gentrification in Chicago

Chicago has always been known for its crime-ridden housing projects. After the city was hit by the wrath of gentrification, many of these housing developments, including the Ida B. Wells projects, the Robert Taylor Homes, and Cabrini-Green projects, were torn down and replaced by new condos. A new documentary titled “They Don’t Give a Damn: The Story of the Failed Chicago Projects” will explore the rise and fall of these developments and the impact that it had on the city. The film, which is produced by screenwriter and director Kenny Young, who is a Chicago native, and filmed by Jeffrey Brown will feature interviews with community experts and former residents of the projects. The premier screening of “They Don’t Give a Damn” will take place at the University of Chicago on February 20th. Read more.

RELATED: Chicago Closes Down Infamous Cabrini-Green Housing Complex

CBC Swears In Largest Group Of Black Lawmakers  was originally published on newsone.com