Nehemiah Bester, a communications strategist for the ACLU of Maryland, discusses the Voting Rights Act and how, despite its legacy, voter suppression and racial gerrymandering continue to threaten fair representation, including in Maryland, where recent redistricting efforts diluted Black political power.
Category: Opinion
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Maryland has the worst racial disparities in incarceration — The Second Look Act can help fix it
Maryland’s prison system has the worst racial disparities in the nation, but the Second Look Act, which would allow people who have served at least 20 years to petition the court for a sentence reduction based on their rehabilitation, is being blocked by House Judiciary Committee Chair Luke Clippinger.
Posted inEditorial
The Black women who built the AFRO: A legacy of truth and trailblazing journalism
The AFRO-American Newspapers has a rich history of journalistic excellence, thanks to the contributions of many Black women, including Frances L. Murphy II, Elizabeth “Bettye” Murphy Moss, Ida Murphy Peters, Vashti Murphy Matthews, Carlita Murphy Jones, Elizabeth Murphy Oliver, and many others.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Democrats must focus on their base – working and middle class Americans
Democrats must focus on economic issues affecting working and middle class families, such as affordable housing and paid family leave, to appeal to young, non-college-educated men, Blacks and Latinos in the 2024 elections.
Posted inWord In Black
The alternate reality of the 47th president’s Black History Month Celebration
Donald Trump hosted a Black History Month celebration at the White House, but the mostly Black audience in the East Room of the White House failed to question his racist policies and past actions, such as canceling Black History Month events at the Pentagon and revoking a 1965 executive order that banned racial discrimination in government employment and government contractors.
Posted inCommentary
Celebrating Women’s History Month: The legacy of sister Rosetta Tharpe, a pioneer in gospel and rock
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll,” was a pioneer in the development of rock and roll, gospel, and blues music, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Posted inCommentary
It’s time to talk about fake justice
HB1081/SB709, a bill aimed at penalizing masked protesters, has been criticized for its symbolic value of appearing to do justice while supporting the existing White power structure.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: What Jalen Hurts and the championship Eagles football team teach us about fighting
Jalen Hurts overcame obstacles and became an elite quarterback, teaching us that we must commit to our purpose and refuse to accept the labels others place on us to overcome systemic barriers and fight for our rights.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Maryland’s investment in career coaching shapes our future
Senator Cory V. McCray is fighting to preserve the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which aims to improve education and career readiness for Maryland’s youth, amidst proposed budget cuts that threaten to undo the progress made.
Posted inCommentary
Discrimination in the workplace and standing up for your rights
Discrimination in the workplace and lack of legislative framework are significant challenges faced by labor unions, highlighting the need for more vocal advocacy and protection of human rights.
Posted inCommentary
Saving steel saves Black communities
The proposed partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel has the potential to restore the steel industry’s economic vitality and provide stable jobs and economic security for Black Americans and their families.
Posted inCommentary
Black History Month: Celebrating progress while confronting inequality
Black political representation has reached historic highs, with over 10,000 African American elected officials in office and a record number of Black mayors, but despite this progress, racial disparities in economic well-being and representation remain significant.
