My New Favorite Activist

I've just discovered a new writer/radio host/political activist who really interests me. I first caught an interview she did on James Robison's show. Her name is Star Parker, and she's the president and founder of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education (CURE). Parker, a single, African-American mom, was once dependent on welfare. She addresses the issues of poverty and the welfare system in her book, Uncle Sam's Plantation.

Having "been there, done that," Parker has a unique understanding of the flaws of the welfare system. She presents the differences between the truly needy who simply need a "hand up" and the lazy poor who only want a "handout."

I loved reading Parker's personal story and how she overcame her dependency on welfare when she became a Christian. Her transformation from a promiscuous drug-user to a respected business owner is truly inspirational. Above all, she speaks with authority to those trapped in the system: You can rise above. You can escape the tyranny of Uncle Sam's Plantation.

With appearances on Larry King Live, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and Politically Incorrect under her belt, Parker is certainly a rising Star in the political world.