By Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter As we still mourn the passing of the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Mother Viola Fletcher, Washington state’s handling of its reparations study shows the fragile line between meaningful repair and performative equity. Mother Fletcher did not live to see meaningful redress for the horror she survived, […]
Category: Commentary
Posted inCommentary
One woman’s refusal and the future of the Fed
By Eric Morrissette Recently, the Supreme Court heard arguments that could reshape the global financial system. The case before the justices asks a deceptively simple question: Can the President of the United States fire Dr. Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, before the end of her statutory term? But everyone […]
Posted inCommentary
Beyond racism, materialism and militarism
The State of the Dream 2026 report warns that current policies are reinforcing racial and economic inequalities, leading to a potential Black Recession, and urgent action is needed to address these regressive trends before generational losses occur.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Marylanders are leaving money on the table– here’s how to claim what’s yours
By Brooke E. Lierman If you worked last year, you might be walking past hundreds—even thousands—of dollars that already have your name on them. Nearly 20 percent of eligible Maryland residents didn’t claim the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2023. That’s roughly 100,000 people who left their money with our state rather than in their bank accounts. Most people lived in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery County and Prince George’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Is it density or destruction? A look at the Housing Options and Opportunities Act
By Nneka Nnamdi Council Bill 25-0066, otherwise known as the Housing Options and Opportunities Act, is a part of Mayor Brandon Scott’s plan to bring down housing costs by making it lawful to create 2-4 units in a single structure that is greater than 1,500 sq ft. The logic of the bill seems to be […]
Posted inCommentary
Democrat’s do-over with Black women
By Tamia Booker and Kevin Harris The 2024 election was a major disappointment for many Democrats, particularly Black women. And now that the party has decided to not release its “autopsy” analyzing our shortcomings from 2024, we will miss an opportunity to discuss our treatment of the first Black woman to lead a major party’s […]
Posted inCommentary
In redistricting wars, Black and Brown voters stand to lose
By Shaylyn Cochran and Rob WeinerWord in Black The 2026 midterm will be a referendum on the direction of our country, but without the fair and complete participation of Black voters and communities of color, next fall’s election will not truly reflect the voice of the people. Unfortunately, in granting a stay in the Texas […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Baltimore’s violence drop proves investing in Black-led youth and the arts works
Baltimore’s historic drop in youth homicides and gun violence is the result of intentional investments in Black-led organizations, youth arts programs, recreation centers and public spaces, not chance. Drawing from her work with Creative Nomads, Kayenecha Daugherty argues that art, community-based leadership and equitable funding are proven public-safety strategies—and warns that recent gains are fragile without sustained support.
Posted inOPINION
47th president’s foreign policy is White supremacy
By Dayvon Love One of the impacts of the descent of news media into the realm of pop culture is a general neglect of political discourse in Black spaces on foreign policy. The focus on things that will get likes and shares disincentivizes rigorous foreign policy conversations in Black civic and political circles. This has […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Structural inequality undermines Jamaica’s schools
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. This week he highlights that curriculum reform efforts falter without intentional, culturally grounded curriculum implementation leadership.
Posted inCommentary
From heartbreak to hope: Reclaiming the soul of Watch Night
By Rev. Stacy Swimp For many, New Year’s Eve is a night of sparkling lights and resolutions. But for the Black community, the ticking clock has a deeper echo. To understand why we gather in churches on Dec. 31, we must look beyond the party and confront a journey of profound survival. We must remember […]
Posted inCommentary
If violent crime is truly a national priority, why isn’t gun violence?
By Renée Hall Another American community is grieving today. This time it is Stockton, Calif., where families woke up to the kind of news no parent, no neighbor, and no city should ever have to endure. Sirens at night. Candles by morning. Another headline. Another vigil. And a community asking the same heartbreaking question we […]
