Legislators propose Tubman and Douglass statues outside Maryland State House

A proposal to place statues of anti-slavery heroes Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass in the Maryland State House would add a new chapter to the history of Maryland as told through its iconic capitol building.

The plan would help educate future generations of visitors about the key roles in U.S. history played by the two 19th-century Marylanders who were born into bondage on the Eastern Shore.

It would also make a statement about where Maryland stands in the early 21st century — much as the statue of a brooding Chief Justice Roger B. Taney outside the State House’s front door represents the pro-Southern sentiments in the state in the post-Civil War era.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (Calvert) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (Anne Arundel), both Democrats, recently proposed the plan to place statues of Tubman and Douglass in the Old House of Delegates Chamber. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) quickly embraced the idea.

The support of the three top leaders makes it virtually certain that Tubman and Douglass will take their place among the select group of historical figures honored with statues at the nation’s oldest state capitol building still being used by a legislature.

Read more: Tubman and Douglass statues would write a new chapter in state history

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Ellison leaves open possibility he'd leave Congress for DNC post

Rep. Keith Ellison left open the possibility Friday night that he will leave Congress, and his seat representing Minneapolis, to take the top job at the Democratic National Committee.

Speaking at a forum in Denver to state Democratic Party chairs from across the country, Ellison said the DNC job is more important than his congressional seat, though he continued to insist that he could do both jobs simultaneously.

“Though I love being in Congress because it allows me to serve my neighbors, I do think that it is more important to build, strengthen the DNC,” Ellison said. He added that he is continuing to have conversations with DNC voting members and will decide what to do soon.

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Grambling wins SWAC championship, headed to the Air Force Celebration Bowl

The Grambling State Tigers (10-1) are the SWAC champions once again. After being down 17-0 at halftime the Tigers stormed back behind running back, Martez Carter and Quarterback Devante Kincade to beat Alcorn State Braves 27-20.

Carter rushed for 135 yards on 15 carries, had 66 receiving yards, and 142 return yards while Kincade passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

The game was a rematch of the 2015 SWAC title game, which Alcorn State won 49-21. This marks the seventh championship game win for the Tigers, and the first for GSU coach Broderick Fobbs.

The SWAC champions will now head to the Air Force Celebration Bowl to play the champions of the MEAC conference and the winners of last years Celebration Bowl, the North Carolina A&T Aggies for the black college championship.

That game will be played on December 17, 2016 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

In the black community, a division over charter schools

With the election of Donald Trump, a big proponent of school choice, and his like-minded pick for secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, the topic of charter schools is likely to attract more attention. But among African-American parents and the NAACP, the debate over school choice and its impact on public education is already a heated one. From Memphis, Education Week’s Lisa Stark reports.