J.R. Martinez: We must find jobs for U.S. veterans
Editor's note: Overseas, they fight for freedom. In America, they fight for jobs. “Voters in America: Vets Wanted?” is the first part of a CNN In America documentary series on American voters. J.R. Martinez narrates the documentary re-airing May 19th at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.
J.R. Martinez knows what it takes to survive after war, and what comes after - he found success acting, and as a "Dancing with the Stars" champion. But many vets face hardships, especially when it comes to employment.
“When they come home is really when the real battle begins.” Martinez said.
Martinez said the government has done a great job to help U.S vets, but there are still gaps that need to be filled.
“This is a good opportunity to educate America on what the gaps are and how we as everyday Americans can, and what we can do to contribute to closing this gap," he said.
Opinion: Latino, Hispanic labels don't matter - issues do
Editor's note: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a CNN.com contributor and a nationally syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group.
By Ruben Navarrette Jr., CNN Contributor
(CNN) - What's in a nombre?
Apparently, for some Latinos, er, I mean Hispanics, it matters a lot. When researchers asked a group of people with roots in Latin America what they wanted to be called, they got a variety of responses.
According to a new survey by the Pew Hispanic Center, the preferred term for many is "Hispanic." People prefer that word over "Latino" by a two-to-one margin, 33% to 14%.
But the study also revealed that most Latinos/Hispanics (51%) don't use either term and couldn't care less what they're called.
Also, in a fascinating trend, the survey found that for those who want to affix their own label, the first preference is tied to an individual's country of origin or that of their parents. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said they describe their identity by using country of origin.
Engage: At center of battle for women's votes: Ann Romney
Engage with news and opinions from around the web about under-reported stories from undercovered communities.
'Ann Romney has always been a big asset for Mitt, really to humanize him' - NPR
Journalism organization UNITY drops 'journalists of color' from name - BET
Opinion: I'm a white, highly educated mom, businesswoman, taxpayer - and illegal immigrant - Huffington Post
Veterans Affairs to increase mental health staffing - The New York Times
FBI won't reopen investigation into Pine Ridge Indian Reservation deaths - Native News Network
Are prisons the new sweatshops? - Mother Jones
Where have all the women's jobs gone?
By Tami Luhby, CNNMoney
New York (CNNMoney) –– More jobless Americans are finding work these days, but they are mainly lucky fellas.
The "mancession" has morphed into the "hecovery," leaving women workers largely in the dust. The share of adult women who are employed is lower than it was two years ago, while men have seen an upturn.
"Even though we are seeing some recovery, we have not seen it in a recovery of jobs for women," said Heather Boushey, senior economist at the left-leaning Center for American Progress.
Mitt Romney, the leading Republican presidential candidate, started trying to capitalize on this statistic last week, telling crowds and TV viewers that women held more than 92% of the jobs lost under President Obama.
Women were generally spared the worst of the recession, accounting for only one-quarter of the jobs lost. Men, on the other hand, were hit hard by the devastation in the construction and manufacturing industries.
But the slow pace of recovery in women's employment has surprised and concerned some experts, who say it's unclear whether there will be a rebound anytime soon.
Are dating shows behind the curve when it comes to inclusion?
(CNN) - Reality programs have long featured contestants of color in their casts.
Competition shows like "Amazing Race," "The Biggest Loser" and "Dancing with the Stars" have featured diverse contestants since their inaugural seasons in 2001, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
But while African-Americans, Asians and Latinos can be seen racing around the world, losing weight and dancing the paso doble on TV, dating shows continue to be far less inclusive.
Two African-American men filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, accusing ABC as well as other companies involved with the production of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" and creator Mike Fleiss of racial discrimination.
The complaint alleges that, in 16 seasons of "The Bachelor" and seven seasons of "The Bachelorette" (the eighth season is slated to begin airing in May), the defendants have never featured "a single person of color ... in the central role." The suit also alleges that the few people of color who have been chosen to compete are often eliminated after the first few rose ceremonies.
San Diego might be first city to name street for Harvey Milk
By Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, LGBT Weekly
The San Diego Planning Commission, a seven member body responsible for recommending changes to the city’s General Plan and its neighborhood community plans, has approved a proposal that would change the name of Blaine Avenue in the historically LGBT neighborhood of Hillcrest to Harvey Milk Street, in honor of the slain gay civil-rights leader who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
If, as it is expected to do, the San Diego City Council votes to approve the commission’s recommendation to go forward with the name change, San Diego will be the nation’s first home to a street named after Milk.
Because the advent a major U.S. city renaming one of its streets in honor of Milk is likely to happen in San Diego first, there is reportedly some ire among civic leaders in San Francisco, which currently has no such avenue, boulevard or street. Milk was assassinated in 1978 along with Mayor George Moscone by a disgruntled former fellow supervisor who had only days earlier resigned from the San Francisco (combined city and county) Board of Supervisors.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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