Black to Black

By Barney Blakeney This week the Charleston community observed the fourth anniversary of the June 17 massacre at Emanuel AME Church in which nine people were slaughtered. I find it hard to write about the Emanuel slaughter – it’s a sensitive issue that evokes a lot of different emotions and people most often think with their…

By Barney Blakeney Being a newspaper reporter in your home town comes with some really nice perks. And being a reporter for the community’s only Black newspaper offers even more perks! Knowing the community and the people who live here has advantages that make the job indescribably enjoyable and rewarding. A trip to the grocery…

By Barney Blakeney I watched Whoopi Goldberg on the morning talk show ‘The View’ the other day which featured Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren. My mornings used to be Tom Joyner’s radio program from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. featuring news commentator Shaun King, local sister Tessa Spencer Adams on WCIV from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., The View…

By Barney Blakeney A friend recently asked what I think about the upcoming Charleston municipal elections. I don’t think about it much! Man, Charleston’s municipal elections ain’t until November 5. I don’t think that far ahead. That’s the first thought that comes to my mind, but it’s not true. The real deal is I constantly…

By Barney Blakeney Last week marked the 65th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 school desegregation decision making public school racial segregation unlawful. Will someone please tell school officials in Charleston County and the rest of South Carolina! I started attending public schools in 1959 at East Bay Elementary School and matriculated through Charleston…

By Barney Blakeney I recently was watching a television newsmagazine broadcast and was enthralled by the story about automated retail checkout initiatives. Automated cashiers are coming in the wave of the future. It’s already here! For years I’ve been concerned about our shifting economy and value system, but it seems too few people are paying…

By Barney Blakeney I figured this week I’d write about the need for organized strategies in the continuing struggle for Black folks’ equality in our community. I know a lot of stuff happens behind the scenes that most, myself included, are not aware of. But it seems abundantly clear there’s not a whole lot of…

By Barney Blakeney From Day 1 I knew the shared Future Project would be an issue. I’ve done some time serving on boards of directors. They’re double-edged swords – they offer excellent and meaningful opportunities to give back, but they’re time-consuming and often require some financial investment as well. Ultimately I think they’re well worth…

By Barney Blakeney I had to think of Martin Luther King’s quote before starting to write this column – “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” I’ve been bothered ever since 10-year-old RaNiya Wright died after a…

By Barney Blakeney SOS. Okay, I’ve got a bad case of SOS – stuck on stupid. Everywhere I turn there’s something to remind me that our community needs quality leadership. I’ve been stuck on that for a while now. A couple of weeks ago my friend former Charleston County School District media specialist Jason Sakron…