This piece was originally published in Shelterforce.” By Jeremie Greer Comedy is often the lens through which we grapple with uncomfortable truths. Chris Rock is one of many comedians who’s used his comedy to honestly describe the deep political and economic oppression that Black people endure. In his routine, “Never Scared”, Rock dives headfirst into the […]
Category: Commentary
Posted inOPINION
The Moore Report: Grammy nominees united by music and parent’s bond of friendship
By Ralph E. Moore, Jr. There is a strong local connection to the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Broadcast televised from Las Vegas on April 3. William Martin March, son of Priscilla and Erich March, is an Atlanta DJ whose program airs weekly for the entertainment of the little ones. Will (known as DJ Willy Wow!) […]
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The Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act: Why is it important?
By Congressman Kweisi Mfume “Strange Fruit,” written by Abel Meeropol and recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, captures the sadness and sadistic nature of lynchings in America. Its lyrics compose with horrifying imagery the following scene: “Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves and blood at the root. Black bodies swinging in […]
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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 […]
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Land trusts, food justice and reparations: The antidote to the toxicity in the Curtis Bay community
By Monica Grover A recent panel discussion at the 2022 Organic Week focused on the impact of agricultural pesticides and industrial toxicity on communities of color. The dynamic voice of Dr. Nicole Fabricant, Professor of Anthropology at Towson University, highlighted the environmental injustices experienced by residents of the Curtis Bay community in South Baltimore, Md. […]
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Letter to the Editor: What is Alopecia and why do certain forms of it disproportionately affect Black Women?
By Pamela Ferrell The Afro is the only newspaper I have delivered to my home and as you can guess, I look forward to the cover story. When I saw your article “What is Alopecia and why do certain forms of it disproportionately affect Black Women?” with Will, Jada and Chris Rock it gave me pause, […]
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Letter to the editor: 5 reasons Will Smith was wrong and forgot Big Willie Style is the way!
By James L. Walker, Jr. (@jameslwalkeresq) Well, I guess the 2022 Oscars buried the hashtag #oscarssowhite! As a billion people saw worldwide, Oscar winner Will Smith slapped another Black man in the face during the 3 hour plus telecast and somewhat “stole” the show when he “stole” (slapped) Chris Rock. Isn’t this the reason he […]
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The Moore Report: Underdogs and Under Siege? Coaches and Ouches
By Ralph E. Moore, Jr. Coaches The Peacocks of St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. were the Cinderella team of this year’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. Now eliminated by the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (69-49) they made it to the Elite Eight, so the Peacocks have much to be proud […]
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Opinion: Eleanor Holmes Norton: D.C. Doesn’t Have a Senator to Vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson
This post was originally published on Word In Black by Eleanor Holmes Norton Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a historic nominee for the United States Supreme Court, except in one respect. While she is the first Black woman nominated for the Supreme Court — and I am confident she will be the first Black woman to […]
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Commentary: It’s time for Maryland legislators to end Margaret Sanger’s “Negro Project”
By Terry Beatley It is time to end Maryland’s political hypocrisy of proclaiming “Black Lives Matter” on one hand, while advancing a population control plan called “the Negro Project”- begun by the late Margaret Sanger, on the other. Sanger is the founder of Planned Parenthood. In 1939 she advanced her “Negro Project” to eliminate, or […]
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Commentary: “Let’s Talk About Drug Legalization! ALL Drugs, Not Just Marijuana!”
By Special to the AFRO “Let’s Talk About Drug Legalization! ALL Drugs, Not Just Marijuana!” Every year, there are more than 1.5 million drug arrests in the United States. More than 80% of these arrests are for possession only. Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of […]
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We don’t have to win; we just have to hold on
By Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead Four nights ago, I sent out a tweet praying that the people of Ukraine prevail against the relentless attack from President Putin and the Russian Army. I said that I was praying for them to win. I received a reply in just a few minutes that stopped me in my […]