Baltimore County Public Schools must provide a free education to all children in the county, but Black students are often stifled by educator bias, and the school system must prioritize teacher diversity to improve academic achievement, behavior, and college aspirations.
Tag: commentary
Posted inCommentary, OPINION, Opinion
Commentary: Tackling the affordable housing crisis in Baltimore County
By Ryan Coleman, randallstownnaacp@gmail.com Our county is in the midst of a worsening affordable housing crisis. Baltimore County renters are now paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent—the highest cost-burden level in at least 20 years. Over the last three years, single-family home prices have skyrocketed by 40 percent—reaching historic highs and […]
Posted inCommentary, Health, Health, NEWS, News, Opinion, OPINION
Addressing infant mortality in the United States
By Dr. Sheldon Fields For the first time in over twenty years, the infant mortality rate has increased in the United States, rising to three percent in 2022, according to CDC data. This troubling trend is not impacting everyone equally. Black infants face up to double the risk of dying in comparison to Hispanic and […]
Posted inCommentary
The power in being “unapologetically Black”
By S.A. Miller, Special to the AFRO The term ”unapologetically Black” has been used by a lot of people for a lot of years. The meaning is often based on the context in which it is being used. For some, it connotes boldness and a “take no prisoners” attitude. For others, the term suggests that, […]
Posted inCommentary
Setting the record straight on an important piece of Black history
By Ben Jealous With the start of Black History Month, I brace myself for the mis-telling of Black History yet again. In schoolhouses and everywhere the stories are told, a persistent myth shows its ugly head: the ridiculous notion that great Black leaders are not just exceptional but exceptions. It is an idea rooted in […]
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: Vitamin D, prostate cancer and racism
By Leeland A. M. Jones, MD The prostate gland is making big headlines. This month O.J. Simpson received a prostate cancer diagnosis, while Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s struggle with the disease led to a second hospitalization. King Charles III, in England, recently disclosed information about his enlarged prostate. And with the Jan. 22 death […]
Posted inEditorial
Celebrating Black History Month
By Dr. John E. Warren This year, perhaps more than ever, we need to be especially mindful of Black history. This is a time of banning books from local libraries–especially those that tell of the history and struggle of Black Americans against slavery and racism; creating a threat to both our presence and our future. […]
Posted inCommentary
This Black History Month fight for the freedom to learn
By Svante Myrick A little over a year ago, the College Board unveiled its long-awaited draft AP African American Studies curriculum. What happened next was sad — and all too predictable. Florida officials, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), howled. They claimed the course “lacks educational value” and violated state laws against teaching about race […]
Posted inStop Killing Us
Editorial: The 7 Last Words of George Floyd
John Thomas III, Editor, The Christian Recorder (Courtesy Photo) By John Thomas III, Editor, The Christian Recorder The commemoration of Good Friday is a solemn and holy event for Christians. We cannot get to the resurrection of Jesus Christ without traversing through the crucifixion, death, and burial of God’s only begotten son. One of the […]
Posted inCommentary
Prophetic politics and Black America
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. If it were not for the Black Church in America, our long struggle for freedom, justice, equality, equity, and empowerment would not have made the progress that has been accomplished over the past 500 to 400 years. I speak in the tradition of my Presbyterian great-great grandfather, the Reverend […]
Posted inBooks
Books don’t create racists
Submitted by Kevin Palmer Dear Afro.com Editor, To discontinue publishing six Dr. Suess books because of racist and insensitive imagery will not help change America’s racist character no more than dressing up like a clown changed serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s character. Hiding racially insensitive books from children does not foster long-standing amicable race relations. […]