By Ben Jealous Frederick Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Those of us with history in the civil rights movement know that taking on entrenched power and changing the status quo requires dogged tenacity and seizing key moments to break down barriers. The United Nations COP28 […]
Category: OPINION
Posted inCommentary
Liberty Road is dying– now is the time to act
By Ryan Coleman Has anyone noticed? Liberty Road, a main corridor of Baltimore County, is dying. The main problem: a lack of investment and vision– and dollar stores. Since W.E.B. Du Bois published “The Philadelphia Negro” in 1899, scholars have explored the role of organizations in shaping the social and economic landscape of historically Black […]
Posted inCommentary
Climate change, climate justice and the Horn of Africa
By Dr. Richard F. Gillum Thanksgiving and Christmas 2022 brought appeals led by UNICEF-USA for victims of famine and drought related to climate change in the Horn of Africa. This crisis and the attending appeals were barely noticed by western media or the American public, which were focused on politics, Ukraine, celebrities and holiday shopping. […]
Posted inWord In Black
Opinion: Angela Alsobrooks – A Senate bid and Black Power springboard
By Roger House, Word in Black The campaign of Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate may be the most consequential election facing Black Democrats in 2024. That’s because her candidacy can serve as a springboard to a more inclusive Senate chamber and to the consolidation of Black political power in a Southern state. Alsobrooks […]
Posted inCommentary
Sixteen days of activism: bringing awareness to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
By Wayne Campbell “Violence against women is a horrific violation of human rights, a public health crisis, and a major obstacle to sustainable development. Let’s build a world that refuses to tolerate violence against women anywhere, and in any form, once and for all.” – António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations The United Nations […]
Posted inCommentary
The Israel-Hamas conflict continues…and the beat goes on
By Art Jones Thinking about this “war” matter a bit more, I had to ask: “Who stands to benefit from the present conflict?” The answer: Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrup-Grumman and many more companies– all of which will benefit from the bloodshed in both the Russia-Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflicts. All of the above are […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Common issues with your birth certificate and what to do about them
By George Townsend Your birth certificate is one of the most important identification documents you have – containing vital information about you, your birth and your family. It is important that your birth certificate has accurate information. Often, many Marylanders need to change some of the details on their birth certificate, either because of an […]
Posted inOpinion
Healthier together: Remembering to have fun when managing your diabetes
By Lamart R. Smith When people ask for my golden rules of managing diabetes, they aren’t surprised by the first items on my list—listen to your physician, exercise regularly, watch what you eat and pay attention to food labeling. But when I get to my final item, have fun, I typically get a quizzical look. […]
Posted inCommentary
Environmental ‘sacrifice zones’ can be beacons of clean energy investment
By Ben Jealous Lower Richland County, S.C. is a place with rich history. The region, which sits on wetlands and a floodplain forest fed by the Congaree River, was an established agricultural center dating back more than 300 years. It’s home to Congaree National Park and other important sites that are central to the experiences […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: For too many kids getting outside is easier said than done
By Ben Jealous, Special to the AFRO After a restful Thanksgiving, my family made a deliberate choice to #OptOutside on Nov. 24. #OptOutside is a growing movement in which participating organizations and companies close their doors on Black Friday, give their employees a paid day off, and encourage all of us to embrace the serenity […]
Posted inCommentary
Small Business Saturday paves the way for holiday sales success
By John Fleming, SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Turkey, stuffing, family and friends. Thanksgiving is that special time of year when loved ones gather from near and far to share for what and whom they are thankful, all topped off with cranberry sauce and a slice of pie. Once the dishes are put away and tryptophan […]
Posted inOPINION
Americans want a ceasefire— it’s our politicians who are out of touch
By Farrah Hassen Our elected officials should listen to the two-thirds of Americans calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Two years ago, filmmaker Mohannad Abu Rizk asked children in Gaza about their dreams. One young girl responded, “My dream is for us to stay alive and to live in peace. We have a right to […]