The Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” was the go-to song that got everyone on the floor and became the seminal song in hip hop history. (Courtesy photos) By Lisa Donaldson Special to the AFRO I fell in love with hip hop when I watched the kids bring their best moves to the roller disco. It […]
Category: OPINION
‘Un-Critical race theory’ is ‘Un-Juneteenthful.’
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma Upon signing the Juneteenth Bill on June 17, 2021 making JUNETEENTH a national holiday in the United States of America, the 46th POTUS Joe Biden invited all his fellow Americans to join him in reflecting on slavery’s “terrible toll.” To this end and in an effort to lead by the […]
Guest Editor: Ella Fitzgerald touched my heart
Brenda Alford By Brenda Alford AFRO Guest editor During the summer of my 11th year, I was allowed for the first time to go shopping in a record store in Fells Point in East Baltimore on my own, with my own money. Enter the magic of the wondrous Miss Ella Fitzgerald! While I was browsing […]
Op-ed: Is America Back?
Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma G7 Industrialized Democracies Say Yes, But What About the Assault on Democracy at Home? By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma “America is back” is a statement that we have heard over and over these days, not only from the 46th POTUS Joe Biden, not only from the American people, the majority of […]
#WordinBlack: Texas native son talks Juneteenth: Better late than never
Patrick Washington is the CEO and publisher of The Dallas Weekly. This story was originally published on Word In Black. By Patrick Washington The Texas-birthed holiday of Juneteenth is a very interesting holiday, to say the least. See, I, a native-born Texan, have two Yankee parents. As such, I’ve been able to hear both sides of the “idea” of Juneteenth, […]
Op-Ed: June 19th Matters Because Black Lives Matter
Opal Lee By Dr. Michael Eaton I was greatly encouraged when I saw the news conference of Dr. Al Gourrier reported on Friday, June 4, 2021. Dr. Gourrier is the chairman of Juneteenth Nevada. He and the Juneteenth nationwide chapters have a goal of making Juneteenth a national holiday. Dr. Gourrier reports that last year […]
Infrastructure investments help grow small and minority owned businesses
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (Courtesy Photo) The American Jobs Plan can rebuild our nation’s physical infrastructure while creating opportunities for small and minority owned businesses to employ more people By Congressman Kweisi Mfume As each day passes, we feel closer to the moment when we can finally say this pandemic is behind us. While we are […]
They’re right here, yet Santorum’s clueless about Indians
Rick Santorum, a CNN conservative talking head, was canceled by that network for saying Indians aka Native Americans “contributed nothing” to America. (Courtesy photo) By Wayne Dawkins Special to the AFRO Rick Santorum, a CNN conservative talking head, was canceled by that network for saying Indians aka Native Americans “contributed nothing” to America. “We birthed […]
Editorial: The Republican Senate, the filibuster and racism
Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, CEO San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper (Courtesy Photo) By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, The Voice & Viewpoint The American people need to realize that the real issue in the United States Senate is not the “Filibuster” but racism. Former President Obama clearly stated this in his recent interview […]
Op-ed: Power and pride to the people!
Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation. (Courtesy Photo) By Ben Jealous Happy Pride month to Black LGBTQ readers and to all of us who love LGBTQ people! June has become the traditional month for Pride celebrations in honor of the gay and transgender […]
COMMENTARY: Blacks in Florida lag behind every community in getting vaccinated
Based on the new number of 17.3% for Blacks being vaccinated, no one in Florida should be happy or satisfied with the numbers. Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration must pledge to the Black Florida politicians, and community leaders, that they are determined to boost vaccinations in Black communities. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) NNPA NEWSWIRE […]
COMMENTARY: Black men must talk about drugs ravishing our community
Many drug activist organizations believe the criminalization of people of color, particularly young people, is as profound a system of racial control as the Jim Crow laws were in the country. NNPA NEWSWIRE – It is no mistake that drugs are so prevalent in the Black community, that our children can direct a stranger where […]

