No matter who wins the November 6 election, he will have a mess on his hands. The Budget Control Act of 2011 will cut $109 billion from the federal budget in 2013 unless Congress is able to figure out how to either reduce the deficit or cut another deal. The cuts will range from 7 to […]
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary
Protecting our right to vote
The fires that burn inside of me to protect our vote are personal, as well as social. My great, great grandfather, Mr. Scipio Rhame, was born a slave. Yet, during Reconstruction — just 3 years after his slavery ended — he had the determination to be among the first of our people to register and […]
Posted inCommentary
Marriage
Marriage is a binding union of a man and a woman for the procreation, nurture, and civilization of children, providing basic stability to society. For this reason it is protected by the state which has a huge stake in the success or failure of this irreplaceable institution. Changing the definition of marriage cannot change this […]
Posted inCommentary
Vote for Another Four Years of Progress for U.S.
In a few days, many Americans who haven’t already voted will head to the polls to elect the next president of the United States. But some will not. There are still many, including legions of Blacks, who have no plans to vote. The reasons vary—no time, their choice won’t matter, they don’t care who wins […]
Posted inCommentary
My Take
One of the fundamental building blocks of a vibrant democracy is the freedom for men and women to cast their vote and elect their leaders. On the eve of one of the most divisive and important elections of my lifetime, I can think of no better time to point out the fact that 5.6 million […]
Posted inEditorial
The AFRO Endorses: Senator Benjamin Cardin
On the verge of the General Election, Sen. Benjamin Cardin is sitting pretty, as one of the U.S. Senate incumbents with the best chances of re-election. The longtime lawmaker faces Potomac businessman Rob Sobhani, an Independent, who had channeled his own considerable funds into a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz. A two-time candidate in the Republican Senate […]
Posted inEditorial
The AFRO Endorses: Rep. John Sarbanes
The shape of the newly redrawn third congressional district meanders from northwest Baltimore County, through parts of Baltimore City, into Howard and Anne Arundel counties, and down into Montgomery County. With nearly 110,000 new constituents, the district represents a challenge to the person that would represent it in Congress. The AFRO believes incumbent Rep. John […]
Posted inEditorial
Return Donna Edwards to the House
U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D) is in a three-way contest against Faith Loudon of Pasadena, who has been active in the Republican Central Committee in Anne Arundel County, and Libertarian Scott Soffen of Ellicott City, in her bid for reelection in the Fourth Congressional District. Based on her grasp of the issues, her commitment to […]
Posted inEditorial
The AFRO Endorses: Rep. Elijah Cummings
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D) is set for a rematch against Republican challenger Frank Mirabile on Nov. 6. The last time the pair faced off in 2010, Mirabile lost to Cummings with 23 percent of the vote. Mirabile, a landscape designer and small business owner for more than 20 years, is running on a typical […]
Posted inCommentary
Are Some Black Ministers Risking Their Church’s Tax-Exempt Status?
The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va, recently informed the press that some pastors in the Washington region have advised their members to refrain from voting in the upcoming presidential election because of President Obama’s support of same-sex marriage. In fact, articles about similar stances by African-American […]
Posted inCommentary
Protecting our right to vote
The fires that burn inside of me to protect our vote are personal, as well as social. My great, great grandfather, Mr. Scipio Rhame, was born a slave. Yet, during Reconstruction — just 3 years after his slavery ended — he had the determination to be among the first of our people to register and […]
Posted inEditorial
The AFRO Endorses Barack Obama for President of the United States
President Barack Obama is running for a second term on the strength of his health care reform, his foreign policy initiatives, job creation, the auto industry bailout, banking industry reform and passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Among many African Americans, his healthcare reform was the signature accomplishment of his administration—providing […]