By Marc H. Morial President and CEONational Urban League “At a time when open racism was becoming unfashionable, these politicians needed a more high-minded issue, one that would not compel them to surrender their fundamental political orientation. And of course. the beauty of defending a fetus is that the fetus demands nothing in return — housing, […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: The Moore Report: “Ain’t Too Proud-The Life and Times of the Temptations” closes at the Hippodrome Theater
By Ralph E. Moore, Jr., Special to the AFRO The Temptations of Motown are the greatest rhythm and blues group of all time. The musical about the Temptation story is one of the best couple of hours or so one could spend in a theater. The familiar songs make you sing along, and the stories […]
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: Women’s rights are human rights – and that includes abortion
By Jamila Bey, Special to the AFRO The first Monday in May has come to be known as the Met Gala Monday, and during and after the event, who wore what usually dominates social media and the news. Normally we might still be talking about what Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, and Alicia Keys were wearing. […]
Posted inOpinion
AFRO EXCLUSIVE: Op-ed: D.C.-Area Pastors on Rise of Antisemitism
By Bernie Dorsey and Durant K. Harvin III History is riddled with examples of people and nations that allow danger to gather on their doorsteps in the belief that evil would not come for them. But evil comes and by then it may be too late. Today, there is a gathering storm in America, and […]
Posted inCommentary
Mental health in a pandemic- take it seriously
By Sandra Charite Within the past couple of years, this country has been facing a crisis that can no longer be ignored. While advertising campaigns have been created and celebrities have front lined endorsements to discuss this issue, the number of people dealing with mental health continues to grow. Depression, self-harm and suicide are rising […]
Posted inCommentary
Maryland leadership, Black political ascendancy and the end game for people of color
By Ernest Quarles It is high political season once again and our street corners are engulfed with increasing numbers of signage for individuals who would be best described as mere strangers. This brand of political graffiti is almost circus-like in its visual aesthetic. The names that remain indelibly etched in our minds are not there […]
Posted inCommentary
Prostate cancer rising in Black America
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association As the United States continues to grapple with its legacy of systemic racism, debates on issues such as police brutality and racial profiling, the economic gulf between Blacks and Whites, and the dearth of access to affordable educational opportunities, there is one […]
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: The Moore Report – Senator Tim Scott, Justice Clarence Thomas and Herschel Walker: Who are these guys?
By Ralph E. Moore, Jr. When the other-than-Lindsey-Graham-U.S. Senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott (R-S.C.), an African-American, voted against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first African-American woman to sit on the Supreme Court, many wondered: who is this guy? Justice Clarence Thomas, only the second African-American to sit on the […]
Posted inOPINION
Community’s support for education funding creates opportunities
By Sonja Santelises Recently, I had the honor of officiating our mid-year graduation. The graduates crossing the stage at this time of year often arrive the hard way: persisting through challenges that would bring many adults to their knees. The faces and smiles of more than 100 beaming candidates, surrounded by cheering family members and […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: A New Dream Team of Federal Judges
By Ben Jealous Something amazing just happened in the U.S. Capitol. On one day, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for five extraordinary women of color who have been nominated to federal judgeships by President Joe Biden. This judicial Dream Team will make our courts more representative of the American people. As judges, […]
Posted inCommentary
The Pandemic: an impetus for reviving and valuing the role of parents as their children’s first teachers in the home
By Maxine Johnson Wood, Ed.D. Before and during the pandemic there have been limited formal proposals that support a direct, renewed focus on the significant role that parents play as their children’s initial teachers in the home. Enhancing this could positively improve student learning. Interest and investment in promoting, encouraging and identifying children’s learning, beginning […]
Posted inCommentary
Addressing cost, stigma, and treatment disparities key to improving access to mental health care in Black and Hispanic communities
By April Jeffries and Dr. Manuel Garcia-Garcia Most Americans are frustrated with the mental healthcare system in this country- despite the historic reckoning around mental health that the pandemic has forced to the foreground for two years (and counting). This dissatisfaction holds particularly pointed implications for Black and Hispanic communities, who report being more concerned […]