By Avery Ross We are hardwired to deal with grief, but everyone grieves differently. Acknowledging the complexities and simplicity of grief allow me to live a full life. Sometimes my grief manifests itself as gratitude for another day, sometimes it moves me to help others. As a grief counselor, I encourage others to acknowledge and […]
Category: Commentary
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: State of the Union: Democracy needs defenders
By Ben Jealous President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address reminded Americans that democracy needs defenders—here at home as well as in Ukraine. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine was understandably a major focus of Biden’s speech. Putin’s eagerness to expand his power by unleashing brute force against his neighbors is a threat […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: If You Have Been Harmed by Police, Maryland’s New Accountability Boards Can’t Help You
By Roberto E. Alejandro A lot of political energy in Maryland has been spent in recent years to establish or strengthen civilian review boards for local police departments. It is important to know, however, if your civil rights have been violated by the police in a way that actually caused you harm, a civilian review […]
Posted inOPINION
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson: First Black female nominee to SCOTUS set to inspire generations to come
By Congressman Kweisi Mfume The Supreme Court of the United States, the third pillar of our nation’s branchesof government, serves as a check on Democracy to ensure the Constitution, thelaw of the land, reigns free. With lifetime tenure on a court of just nine members,both the executive and legislative branches bear significant responsibility inselecting and […]
Posted inCommentary
Ketanji Brown Jackson Is the Supreme Court Justice we need now
By Ben Jealous It is with profound joy that I write these words today: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been nominated to become our nation’s first Black woman Supreme Court Justice. From a pool of outstanding Black women attorneys, jurists and legal scholars, President Biden has chosen Judge Jackson for her stellar credentials and brilliant […]
Posted inCommentary
NWSA Condemns the Attack on the People of Ukraine
Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Special to the AFRO The National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) takes seriously our charge to never be silent in the face of evil. We understand that we do not have the luxury to sit by while countries are attacked, war is being waged, and women and children are being killed. One […]
Posted inBaltimore County Government
The Moore Report: UPDATE – Baltimore County’s redistricting plan: A Judge rules in favor of fairness and calls for a better one
By Ralph E. Moore, Jr. U.S. District Court Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby on Feb. 22, blocked a redistricting plan from the Baltimore County Council that included just one majority Black council district and ordered county officials to adopt a new plan by March 8. Judge Grissby issued an order requiring county officials to adopt a new plan […]
Posted inEditorial
Editorial: Stop the Violence
By Sharon Williams, Special to the AFRO God help us all.We need each other now more than ever.We have to stop the violence against each other and show PRIDE in who we are again:Beautiful, INTELLIGENT, creative, strong and resilient black people,God will help those who help themselves.Go back to the roots of black people.Unity was […]
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: Israel Cason saved my life
By Anthony McCarthy, Special to the AFRO I was intimidated from the moment I met Israel Cason. He was tall, stocky and he towered over you like a NBA player. But that intimidation quickly became admiration the more I got to know him. He founded a no-nonsense faith-based recovery program called I Can’t We Can […]
Posted inReligion
The Moore Report: What is Lent? And why should one care about it?
By Ralph E. Moore Jr., Special to the AFRO The season of Lent is the forty days of fasting, focus and fervent prayers before Easter Sunday. It is six weeks of prayer and fasting on many Christian church calendars that are somewhat solemn and call for self- denial. Some give up sweets, some stop smoking, […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Firing Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Is Overdue
By Congressman Kweisi Mfume Last week, I brought the Government Operations Subcommittee of U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee to Baltimore for a hearing on postal service delays. I extend my thanks to Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly and the entire Oversight Committee for working with me to bring this hearing to Maryland’s 7th District. In […]
Posted inHBCU
Op-ed: Most and Least Affordable Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Written by Amanda Push via Student Loan Hero For some students, attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the U.S. aligns with their personal and professional goals. However, as both the inflation rate and cost-of-living expenses increase, affording rising tuition can be a challenge for many students and families. To learn more about the affordability […]