The current tracking of Congress’ popularity shows that only 15 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing. Now, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) struck another tone deaf moment at a political fundraiser in Idaho when he warned that when Congress returns in September, he will lead Republicans in holding up the government’s […]
Category: OPINION
Former D.C. Councilman Frank Smith Rallies for D.C. Statehood
Now what? Now that the marching is over, the fond memories relived and a king’s dream revived, how to generate and sustain a renewed movement for justice, jobs and freedom? This is the burning question facing African Americans today who must turn fondness for the past into faith and action for the future. “I don’t […]
Why we marched
(Originally published August 26, 1983) We marched in 1963 to redress old grievances and to help resolve an American crisis. That crisis is born of the twin evils of racism and economic deprivation. They rob black and poor people of dignity, self-respect and freedom. They impose a special burden on blacks who are denied the […]
Marching Orders for the Future
Now that we’ve had two events at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, it is important to remember a few things about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech. The question is always asked: What happens after the marches are over? […]
‘Where Do We Go From Here?’
As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, many are discussing what Dr. King would say to the nation and world today. But his message to us today is as clear as it was 50 years ago if only we could hear, heed, and follow his warnings about what we need […]
Sharing the Freedom Soapbox with D.C. Statehood
When she was a couple of months shy of 16, Lea Adams ’s father, Joel, a rare African American who carried the rank of U.S. Army colonel, took her to the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 1988, as a single parent, she took her 11-year-old son, Joel II, to the 25th […]
Dr. King Would Criticize Obama
As America commemorates the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom I am compelled to ask the following question: Would Dr. King be invited to speak at upcoming events to commemorate the March? If you get past the marketed “Dream” reference in the “I Have a Dream” speech and understand […]
The Role of HBCUs in the Marches on Washington
History is a political enterprise. All who set out to chronicle the past are motivated by ends that some are honest enough to disclose, and others are deluded enough to deny. I prepared for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Feedom by reading serious works of history. David J. Garrow’s […]
Minimum Reasoning on Minimum Wage
Some phones were ringing; others were on hold as Real Christian Radio’s host was well into his 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. program. The subject was “Is minimum wage enough to live on?” and syndicated radio personality Lonnie Hunter’s job was letting the audience “have their say” on the issue. Actually, the subject had come […]
Why We’re Still Marching
For a while, it looked like the 50th anniversary observance of the March on Washington would expose a sharp split in the Civil Rights Movement. Al Sharpton jumped ahead of his colleagues by cornering Martin Luther King III and the two of them announced a March on Washington for Aug. 24. Other civil rights leaders […]
‘We Need a Change’
“Dear President Obama . . . Guns are really easy to get and people think they need them to protect themselves, but most times they’re showing off and making more problems and adding to the violence . . . 7 people are too many to lose and I don’t want to see another one of […]
Entertaining — but Inaccurate– Black History Assailed
“I’m just an old historian who only wants one thing, the truth,” said preeminent African and African American historian Carroll “CR” Gibbs, “fussing” with a somewhat heavy heart. I couldn’t wait to catch up this commemorative week with “CR” or “Brother Gibbs,” as I call him – following his lead whereby he refers to those […]

