By Dr. France “Toni” Murphy DraperWord in Black I remember college as a place of possibility. We protested — yes — but we did so with sit-ins, with leaflets, with raised voices and locked arms. We marched and we sang “We Shall Overcome Someday.” We believed, perhaps naively, that collective courage and moral clarity could […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOPINION
Tips for managing your holiday budget in a time of financial uncertainty
By Janet Currie It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us, bringing both excitement and extra financial responsibilities. For many Maryland families, managing celebrations alongside everyday budgets can feel a bit heavier this year. According to Bank of America internal data, in 2025 nearly a quarter of all households are estimated to live […]
Posted inOPINION
Hidden in code: How tech reinvents Jim Crow barriers to housing
By Alice T. Crowe Black Americans have struggled to build wealth in America through property ownership. Owning land meant freedom. Government policies like redlining and restrictive covenants cheated Black families and communities out of wealth. Jim Crow’s color-coded paper maps were just one ruse in a trick bag of tactics used to normalize segregation and […]
Posted inOpinion
Why does it matter that Ivan Bates is wrong?
Baltimore public policy advocate Dayvon Love argues that State’s Attorney Ivan Bates’ criticism of MONSE reflects a political ideology that equates policing with public safety, despite evidence that law enforcement disproportionately harms Black communities. He contends that community-based violence-prevention programs address the root causes of harm more effectively than policing—and that opposition to these programs protects entrenched power structures.
Posted inOpinion
Why Baltimore must stand with its boys: The case for all-male academies for boys of color
Dr. Kevin W. Parson is director of Student Support Services at Richard Wright Public Charter Schools for Journalism and Media Arts. This week he shares his thoughts on the importance of school for boys.
Posted inOpinion
Rising costs push Americans into impossible daily choices
Rep. Kweisi Mfume argues that the current administration’s policies have left working families, union households, veterans, single parents and individuals with disabilities struggling with rising costs for everyday necessities, while the White House remains out of touch with their struggles.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: World AIDS Day highlights Caribbean’s widening HIV burden
The Caribbean continues to carry a disproportionate HIV burden, with rising infections, disrupted prevention services and deep structural inequalities undermining decades of progress. On World AIDS Day, Wayne Campbell urges renewed political leadership, accurate public education and rights-centered responses to counter complacency, stigma and the risky conditions that fuel HIV transmission across the region.
Posted inOpinion
The power and necessity of future-proofing career paths
Louis J. King II serves as president and CEO of Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America. This week, he speaks on the importance of creating and maintaining paths to the middle class, even in the midst of economic upheaval.
Posted inOpinion
Rest doesn’t mean sleep
By Dr. Ja’Lia Taylor and Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley The impact of the recent Nov. 4 election for Black women was profound. For a group that has taken loss after loss, from the Fearless Fund being sued for daring to invest in us to Dr. Claudine Gay being pushed to step down, to our sister Letitia […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t let predatory debt traps rob the holiday season’s joy
Charlene Crowell, a senior fellow at the Center for Responsible Lending, warns that app-based payday lending products such as Buy Now, Pay Later and Earned Wage Access trap financially vulnerable consumers in cycles of debt, especially during the holiday season and following the government shutdown.
Posted inCommentary
The power of small things: Why your words matter more than you think
In this commentary, Maurice Carroll urges readers to practice mindful speech by starting with “a little bit,” cultivating intentional thoughts and habits that lead to lasting personal change.
Posted inOpinion
The shutdown has ended, but we must move quickly to avoid a health care crisis
Rep. Kweisi Mfume is urging Congress to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies to prevent a 35-50% premium hike for Marylanders and potential loss of health coverage for millions of Americans.
