S. Rasheem is an independent scholar and social scientist whose scholarship encourages a critical examination of society and culture through the lens of race, gender, and class. She is the director and executive producer of the Baltimore Legacy Project docuseries, which includes “Baltimore Still Rising.” This week, she marks the 10th anniversary of the protests and activism that erupted in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, and examines the advocacy needed now and in the future in the city.’
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary
Keeping the dollar close: Strengthening community wealth through intentional spending
Supporting Black-owned businesses and service providers is a powerful way to strengthen Black communities economically, yet much of Black spending still goes to non-Black businesses. By intentionally increasing spending with Black service providers—such as doctors, lawyers, and tradespeople—Black communities can foster economic growth, improve health outcomes, and build generational wealth.
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Legally Written: Women caregivers need to plan for the future
Black women, often balancing work, school and family, are the backbone of caregiving, managing not only the day-to-day needs of aging loved ones but also the emotional and logistical complexities of end-of-life planning. This labor—both paid and unpaid—underscores the urgent need for estate planning and access to legal resources to protect what generations have built.
Posted inOPINION
Weaponized dollars, a silent weapon that works
By Alice T. Crowe Grassroots boycotts are proving their power on Target’s Balance Sheet. On a March 4 quarterly earnings call, Target reported that quarterly net sales declined 3.1 percent. Target sales are declining, and so is its reputation. The company’s stock has slipped over 50 percent from its three-year high. While some experts will […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: April is National Minority Health Month
National Minority Health Month highlights the ongoing effort to achieve health equity, with this year’s theme emphasizing the need for sustained collaboration to eliminate disparities. Despite improvements in healthcare access, racial and ethnic minority groups continue to face significant health challenges, underscoring the importance of culturally informed care, community engagement, and preventive action.
Posted inCommentary
Maryland must stop doing ICE’s dirty work
Cathryn Jackson is the policy director at CASA and the daughter of Guyanese and Trinidadian immigrants. This week she urges passage of the Maryland Values Act (HB 1222), which would end all 287(g) agreements in the state to ensure local police don’t work as immigration agents.
Posted inCommentary
Why does America keep punishing Haitians for wanting freedom?
The U.S. has a long history of unfairly targeting Haitian immigrants with harsh policies, rooted in anti-Blackness and fear of Black liberation, and the latest attack on Haiti’s TPS is a calculated move to criminalize and deport nearly 500,000 Haitian migrants.
Posted inCommentary
Defending democracy: ASALH’s Magna Carta for resistance and renewal
As American democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is leading a movement to resist and rebuild. Through its Magna Carta, ASALH outlines actionable steps for civic engagement, accountability, and grassroots activism to safeguard democracy and empower communities.
Posted inCommentary
Maryland suspends driver’s licenses for child support – but is it working?
Dwan Burton, is the deputy director of Out for Justice. This week, she highlights the devastating impact of automatic driver’s license suspensions on low-income parents. With two key bills stalled in the Senate, the organization pushes for legislative action to ensure due process and protect parents’ ability to work and support their families.
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: Whistling while you work: A tribute to retiring Bishop Walter Scott Thomas Sr.
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas’ retirement marks the end of an era for Baltimore, where he built a nationally recognized ministry from a small congregation and profoundly influenced the city’s faith-based community. A visionary leader, preacher and mentor, his legacy continues through his children, his congregation, and the countless lives he touched, ensuring that his impact will endure beyond his final sermon.
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Unconscious bias doesn’t need a color line
By Frances Murphy DraperAFRO CEO and Publisher My husband and I recently visited First Watch in Towson expecting a relaxing breakfast. Instead, we left feeling disrespected and dismissed. When we arrived we were in line, in front of two White patrons. The Black host asked how many were in our party. “Two,” we replied. He […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Affordable housing won’t save Baltimore—but economic justice might
Chrissy M. Thornton serves as president and CEO of Associated Black Charities. This week, she critiques the choice of former President Biden to not pardon Marilyn Mosby.