On Aug. 6 of each year, patriotic Americans of good conscience celebrate that historic day in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson’s signature made the Voting Rights Act the law of the land. Joined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders of that time, President Johnson declared that the […]
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary
Obama has Blacks Marching Backward
As the country and the world begin to focus on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, this is a good time to revisit the real goals of the March. Of course, it is most remembered for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Official, it was the […]
Posted inEditorial
Two Black Fathers Making a Stand Against Violence
From the statehouses of Florida and North Carolina to the highways, streets, drives, boulevards, ways, courts and other roadways named after Dr. Martin Luther King, this summer has witnessed a resurgence of African American protests and civic action. Sometimes it’s a group, like the student-led sit-in at the Florida capitol lobbying against unjust laws; more […]
Posted inCommentary
Jackie Jackson: A Mother’s Love
On Aug. 14, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. was scheduled to be sentenced to prison in connection with using campaign funds for personal use. Dozens of letters were sent to the judge on his behalf, but none more touching than the one written by his mother, dated May 28. She began by noting, “I am Jacqueline […]
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Why We Need to March on Washington Again
Remember the March on Washington? August 28, 1963. Tens of thousands of activists on the National Mall. A preacher’s son from Atlanta talking about his dream for the country. We don’t need a history lesson. Even if we weren’t at the March itself – even for those like me, who were not yet born – […]
Posted inEditorial
Alexandria’s Mandela
Whatever you do, “don’t even think about going down that road of comparing me to Nelson Mandela,” says a humble Ferdinand T. Day, a lifelong civil rights advocate, even if they are “men of a certain generation.” He actually chuckles at the very suggestion. Day spoke to the AFRO on the eve of his 95th birthday, […]
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Double Standard on Using the N-Word
I typically don’t write about professional athletes doing stupid things because I have absolutely no interest and it serves no purpose. But Riley Cooper’s actions from last month can be very instructive and deserves my attention. Riley Cooper is about to begin his fourth season as a wide receiver with Philadelphia Eagles of the N.F.L. […]
Posted inCommentary
Labor Unions at Another Crossroad
Next month, the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the U.S., will hold its convention in Los Angeles. Breaking with tradition, the AFL-CIO will be opening its doors to community-based organizations, limiting the number of plenary speakers, and seeking to focus its resolutions on “action items” such as proposals that aim to produce […]
Posted inCommentary
How Deep is Corruption?
I have seen examples of corruption throughout my life. Some has been petty and some had potentially serious implications and outcomes. I have avoided or turned down 96 percent of the attempts made on me but I am sure there are many who haven’t. How do you avoid it? It is easy, according to then-Mozambique […]
Posted inEditorial
Making Ends Meet on Minimum Wages
Is it any wonder that hundreds of fast food workers across the country this week are walking out and striking at their jobs demanding to form a union and to have their wages increased to as much as $15 an hour? From California to New York their chant can be heard: “We can’t survive on […]
Posted inCommentary
Rebuilding an America in Which Everyone Counts
As President Obama and America move forward with full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, this nation continues to be embroiled in the fundamental struggle for human dignity that Dr. King addressed at the Lincoln Memorial 50 years ago. Although the President did not stress this historic perspective during his seminal remarks on economic renewal […]
Posted inCommentary
Focus on Poverty, not the Middle Class
Several of us were sharing our views on radio Sunday night with Gary Byrd when my friend and colleague Cash Michaels urged us to remember that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while organizing poor people. This is a good time to remember that as President Obama seeks ways to strengthen the middle class […]