When voters in Maryland go to the polls, they’ll have the opportunity to decide by their vote on Proposition 4 as to whether or not children of illegal immigrants should be extended the privilege to pursue college degrees at in-state tuition rates, if they qualify under certain conditions. The Maryland DREAM Act was passed by […]
Category: OPINION
Posted inEditorial
Proposition 7: Gaming Expansion A Great Opportunity
For years, Marylanders have argued over gaming. In years before, much of the contention seemed to center on the moral and social considerations of gambling—whether it leads to addiction, personal bankruptcies and increased crime and becomes a scourge on already-suffering communities. This election, the referendum on gaming elicited more politically- and economically-influenced arguments. Question 7 […]
Posted inEditorial
Failing to Vote Dishonors Those Who Fought and Died for the Right
Vernon Dahmer would want you to vote on Nov. 6 and in every election day for the rest of your life. He would want you to teach your children to vote. He would want you to urge your friends, neighbors and co-workers to vote. So would Rev. George Lee, Lamar Smith, Herbert Lee, Medgar Evers […]
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 inCommentary
NAACP National Board: John McNeil Case is a National Issue
(Washington, DC) – Today, the NAACP held a press conference to discuss the latest decision in the John McNeil case and next steps to secure his freedom. On Wednesday, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens chose to appeal the court ruling that granted John McNeil’s habeas corpus petition. “Some people say that this is about a […]
Posted inCommentary
AFRO My Take
There is an abundance of panhandlers in the nation’s capital—all shapes, shades and sizes. On a recent day, Jessie was at 14th & G talking to himself until he saw someone who had once given him money. “Hey how you doin’?” he asked, making a mad dash to the person. The “Groper” walked the street […]
Posted inCommentary
Education Reform Can Save Our Children
The fate of children growing up in our nation’s capital rarely receives the attention it deserves from our nation’s lawmakers, who live and work here. Yet the facts are startling. Among the more than 100,000 children who live in the District of Columbia, a child is abused or neglected every three hours. Every four days, […]
Posted inCommentary
Republicans Out of Touch with Reality
I saw this astounding figure that approximately 70 percent of Republicans believe that the poll numbers on the presidential race are biased towards President Obama. In other words, they are asserting that because President Obama has been—at least at the time of this column—ahead in most polls, this cannot be correct and the media must […]
Posted inCommentary
A Listless Obama is Still Better than Romney
Somehow, the body snatchers came last Wednesday and took the fire (as in fired up, ready to go) out of President Obama, leaving a rather listless shell of a man who never truly engaged the audience or his opponent. He looked down at his notes, fidgeted and let Mitt Romney get away with multiple lies. […]
Posted inCommentary
We Are One
National politics in the U.S. has not been so divisive since the American Civil War 150 years ago. Similar to the period leading up to the American Civil War, our nation is divided along entrenched ideological lines. Unlike the Civil War, the possible second term of a sitting president may well further divide the Union. […]
Posted inCommentary
Consumer Bureau is Having an Impact
On Sept. 12, Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), delivered an encouraging report to Congress. From data and information shared, the Bureau’s mission to make consumer financial markets work for American consumers, honest businesses and the economy as a whole is making significant inroads. Since the enactment of financial reform, more […]