Opinions & Editorials
Calhoun Statue A Pump Fake
By Barney Blakeney Okay so they took it down, now what? I say THEY took it (the statue of slavery advocate John C. Calhoun) down because they put it up. Removal of the statue wasn’t up to us and perhaps had very little to do with us. But again, now that the statue is gone,…
Read MorePandemonium and Pandemic
By Beverly Gadson-Birch I have been around a few corners or two in my life and listened to many opinions—some I agree with and others I flat out disagree with. I have been writing this column for some forty years. When I decided to write a weekly column, it was intended to inform and not conform to…
Read MoreMy Mom and the Importance of Realizing that Black Lives Matter
By Hakim Abdul-Ali The recent protests events surrounding the May 25, 2020, killing of a brother of color named George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ignited national and worldwide alarming concerns to all morally sane “hue-mans’ ” senses of equal justice everywhere. I, too, felt disdain by this Black man’s horrendous demise but, at my age, I’m…
Read MoreWhether Marching Or Voting, Do Your Part
By Barney Blakeney Just when I thought the vehement protests about police abuse of authority and use of force had slowed, them dang kids ramped it up again over the removal of the monument to John C. Calhoun that overlooks Marion Square and Calhoun Street in Charleston. They make me so proud! They ain’t letting…
Read MorePolice Officers: Get Rid Of Rotten Apples
By Beverly Gadson-Birch Enough is Enough! The week that was! George Floyd was laid to rest last week in Houston. Several days later, Rayshard Brooks, 27-year old husband and father of four, was killed by Atlanta police. According to news reports, police were called to Wendy’s on University Avenue to investigate a man, later identified as Brooks,…
Read MoreThru the Lens of Someone Other than Yourself
By Hakim Abdul-Ali It’s been a tragic but ever-so-revolting last couple of weeks in the USA in so many unfathomable norms of ordinary understandings. And after the horrific killing of George Floyd on May 25, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the world-at-large has voiced its mighty and resounding distaste about this murder in almost unimaginable expressions of…
Read MoreHas Emanuel Murders Brought About Change?
By Barney Blakeney As the fifth anniversary of the massacre at Emanuel AME Church is observed this month, I’m conflicted about several things. I don’t want to do anything that would dishonor the nine victims of the massacre or their survivors so I’ll just say a lot of healing is needed, starting with the congregation…
Read MoreA Change Had To Come
By Beverly Gadson-Birch What a week!! Washington, DC Mayor Bowser authorized Black Lives Matter painted in bold yellow letters taking up two blocks on 16th Street leading directly up to the White House. Street signs were also hung with Black Lives Matter Plaza. Lordy, Trump must have had an acute arrhythmia malfunction. George Floyd’s death set…
Read MoreThe Truth is No Longer Color Blind
By Hakim Abdul-Ali The truth that racism in America is exposed and is as pronounced as it was in Alan Paton’s 1948 novel, “Cry the Beloved Country,” is nothing new to someone who isn’t color blind about recognizing American racism for what it is and has always been. The dastardly “his-storical” truth is…
Read MoreOur Grandbabies Are Doing Our Work
By Barney Blakeney It would be easy to use this space as a platform to rant and rave about protests to police murders in America. But this ain’t a space for my rants. I’ve been given the privilege and honor to use this space to offer information. I’m obligated to use it productively. Not a…
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