BET Wire: Who's to Blame for Hard Times in Black America?

Majority says racism not responsible for Black conditions.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - President Obama taunts House Republicans; A majority of Americans think Blacks are to blame for their troubles; Herman Cain is shaking his head at Burger King's gay pride – and more. –  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: BET)

Sue Me! - A frustrated Obama taunted congressional Republicans to follow-through on their threat to take him to court because he has implemented executive actions that they say side-step the legislative process. "Middle-class families can’t wait for Republicans in Congress to do stuff. So sue me," Obama said at an event in Washington. "As long as they’re doing nothing, I’m not going to apologize for trying to do something." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Sue Me! - A frustrated Obama taunted congressional Republicans to follow-through on their threat to take him to court because he has implemented executive actions that they say side-step the legislative process. "Middle-class families can’t wait for Republicans in Congress to do stuff. So sue me," Obama said at an event in Washington. "As long as they’re doing nothing, I’m not going to apologize for trying to do something." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Who's to Blame? - A Pew Research Center poll recently released asked Americans whether they believe racism is responsible for the social and economic conditions faced by African-Americans; 63 percent said no. Ideology played a role: 80 percent of "steadfast conservatives" shared this view, while 80 percent of "solid liberals" believe that discrimination does play a role.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The Worst President Ever? - In a new Quinnipiac poll released July 2, Obama at 33 percent was rated the worst president since World War II, followed by George W. Bush and Richard Nixon. Ronald Reagan was named the best, followed by Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

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The Worst President Ever? - In a new Quinnipiac poll released July 2, Obama at 33 percent was rated the worst president since World War II, followed by George W. Bush and Richard Nixon. Ronald Reagan was named the best, followed by Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

A Difference of Opinion - Hobby Lobby was the victor when the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 that certain employers do not have to provide contraception coverage in their health plans. But according to a Dallas Morning News report, "a Reuters/Ipsos poll of 10,693 people conducted before the ruling found that 53 percent of respondents opposed allowing employers to choose what forms of contraceptives their health care plans provide based on their religious beliefs," and some consumers are calling for a boycott of the arts and crafts stores.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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A Difference of Opinion - Hobby Lobby was the victor when the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 that certain employers do not have to provide contraception coverage in their health plans. But according to a Dallas Morning News report, "a Reuters/Ipsos poll of 10,693 people conducted before the ruling found that 53 percent of respondents opposed allowing employers to choose what forms of contraceptives their health care plans provide based on their religious beliefs," and some consumers are calling for a boycott of the arts and crafts stores.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Harvesting Votes? - A conference call with aides to Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran crashed on July 2 when a participant accused the Republican lawmaker of "harvesting" Black votes to win his June run-off, Politico reports. “If Black people were harvesting cotton, why is it OK to harvest their votes?” the caller asked. Since the victory, Cochran's campaign has been accused of buying the votes of Black Democrats who helped him win and other irregularities.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Harvesting Votes? - A conference call with aides to Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran crashed on July 2 when a participant accused the Republican lawmaker of "harvesting" Black votes to win his June run-off, Politico reports. “If Black people were harvesting cotton, why is it OK to harvest their votes?” the caller asked. Since the victory, Cochran's campaign has been accused of buying the votes of Black Democrats who helped him win and other irregularities.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Big Payback - Cochran may not have bought support from Black Mississippi voters, but members of the Congressional Black Caucus want some sort of payback, according to a Politico report. "Absolutely we have expectations,’’ Chairwoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told the publication. The list includes support for food stamps funding and the Voting Rights Amendment Act and programs to help poor Blacks in his state.(Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, File/AP Photo)

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The Big Payback - Cochran may not have bought support from Black Mississippi voters, but members of the Congressional Black Caucus want some sort of payback, according to a Politico report. "Absolutely we have expectations,’’ Chairwoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told the publication. The list includes support for food stamps funding and the Voting Rights Amendment Act and programs to help poor Blacks in his state.(Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, File/AP Photo)

Guns Outside, Please - Target Corp. is asking that people do not bring guns into its stores even in states with open carry laws. "This is a complicated issue, but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create," said interim CEO John Mulligan on the chain's website, The Wall Street Journal reports. The request came after shoppers in Texas strolled armed through Dallas stores. The National Rifle Association in a surprising response said that carrying rifles in stores was "not neighborly" – and then took it back. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

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Guns Outside, Please - Target Corp. is asking that people do not bring guns into its stores even in states with open carry laws. "This is a complicated issue, but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create," said interim CEO John Mulligan on the chain's website, The Wall Street Journal reports. The request came after shoppers in Texas strolled armed through Dallas stores. The National Rifle Association in a surprising response said that carrying rifles in stores was "not neighborly" – and then took it back. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)