By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma AS WE CELEBRATE THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH (BHM) 2023 WITH A FOCUS ON THE THEME OF “BLACK RESISTANCE,” it is imperative to reiterate our expression of gratitude to African American heroes and sheroes who have exemplified the theories and practices of resistance. These s/heroes include but are not limited to […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inNational News
TBE# 5 – Nine Decades After NFL Banned Black Players, Super Bowl LVII is the First to Feature Two Black Starting Quarterbacks
By Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League “The NFL has a long and racist history with Black QBs. There was a time when people questioned if Black quarterbacks had the intellectual capability to play the most mentally challenging position in American team sports. Often praised for their athletic ability, they’ve been criticized […]
Posted inCommentary
Tyre Nichols: we can no longer allow inappropriate or illegal actions of law enforcement to go unpunished
By Lieut. Charles P. Wilson (Ret.) As a Black man and retired police officer, I have been crying quite a bit lately. Crying from a deep sense of outrage, grief, shame and fear. Outrage because, again, yet another unarmed Black man has been brutally killed by police officers. In communities of color throughout the United […]
Posted inCommentary
Dear AI, Black youth are beautiful, too
By Junior Bernadin As technology advances and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, it is crucial that the creators and developers of these technologies accurately represent and include all diverse groups. For example, on Jan. 3, I generated a series of about one hundred images using the word “beautiful” in conjunction […]
Posted inHealth
Commentary: Anatomy of a miscarriage
By Kendra Lee, Black Health Matters Why is loss of pregnancy still such a taboo subject? Midway through my appointment, my gynecologist went silent. Her face screwed up a little, and she announced, “I don’t hear a heartbeat.” My own heartbeat stopped, too, for a second, maybe two. “What?” I managed to croak. She was […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The Moore Report: Legal marijuana in Maryland: what will it mean for convicted users, sellers and future consumers?
By Ralph E. Moore Jr., Special to the AFRO Change has been coming to Maryland for some time now. Voters in Maryland approved legalizing marijuana in the fall election last year. The results: 1,302,161 “yes” votes to 635,572 “no” votes. It was a landslide win, with 67.20 percent in favor of joining the many states […]
Posted inCommentary
Black History Month 2023: The Power of Black Resistance
By Karsonya Wise Whitehead In 1644, as our nation was still in the very early stages of growth and development, the first documented moment of Black protest and resistance happened in America. Eleven enslaved men and women living in the Black community of New Amsterdam, the principal port city and capital, petitioned for and won […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Maryland’s paid family and medical leave legislation
By Farheen Qurashi “As a physician and mother, I am thrilled that Gov. Wes Moore is making investments in Maryland’s paid family and medical leave program a priority. This plan will help Marylanders of all incomes have the financial security to take time off work to care for sick family members, bond with a new […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: My governor is Black
By Sam McKenzie Back in September of last year, I interviewed for a position in state government under the Hogan administration. When I made my way to the waiting area, I looked up and saw a picture of the then-current Governor Larry Hogan, and Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford. As I stood there looking at his […]
Posted inNews
Commentary: Arts and culture: paint us as we are
By “Lady” Brion Gill, Special to the AFRO “The Black artist is dangerous. Black art controls the Negro’s’ reality, negates negative influences, and creates positive images.” – Sonia Sanchez Recently, the Washington Post ran a Jan. 6 article highlighting a painting of Thurgood Marshall by the renowned Baltimore artist, Ernest Shaw. The article prompted this […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: A call to action: can Baltimore’s responsible adults please stand up?
By Rev. Dr. Harold Carter Jr. I kind of recall hearing a report about a shooting in Edmondson Village involving several young persons recently. The news came after I returned home from our midweek worship service on Wednesday, Jan. 4, but it didn’t really register. When I woke up Thursday morning I heard, with greater […]
Posted inOPINION
MARYLAND’S ‘MOORE’ PERFECT UNION: Reflections on a Historic Inauguration, King’s Dream, Democracy, and Demographics in the Divided States in Americas
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma The Juneteenth weekend 2022 coincided with the 45th annual AFRAM Festival at Baltimore City’s Druid Hill Park. My wife Madeleine and I joined the urban community in enjoying outdoor activities that we have missed for two years due to COVID-19 draconian measures. My wife heard about Wes Moore before via […]