Black to Black

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,…

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…

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…

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…

By Barney Blakeney Things really are spinning – not out of control, but almost to the point of confusion. I’ve been busy the past few weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic and this past week the police murder of George Floyd intensified all that. In the old days I’d flip on the automatic pilot switch…

By Hakim Abdul-Ali America is now engaging itself for its reentry into the new phase of the reopening of its nationwide businesses, parks, etc., in the aftermath of the devastating COVID-19, or coronavirus pandemic crisis and the lingering psychological aftereffects of this disease upon the nation and the rest of the world. Many folk here…

By Barney Blakeney Former South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jamie Harrison is set to challenge Sen. Lindsey Graham in the November 3 general election to become the first Democratic senator from South Carolina since Fritz Hollings retired in 2005. He perhaps is mounting the most serious challenge Graham has faced in years. I used to…

By Barney Blakeney I’m technologically challenged. I don’t do technology very well (mostly by choice).  So I tell folks, if you want me to see something immediately, don’t put it on Facebook, call or email me. Those two technical venues I can handle. So I’m on Facebook the other day when I see a message…

By Barney Blakeney As the June 9 Democratic primary elections loom in the shadow of South Carolina’s reopening of businesses amid continuing escalation of the coronavirus pandemic which affects Blacks at disproportionately higher rates than others, the African American community has much to consider. Assertive, foresighted and progressive political leadership among Black elected officials has…

By Barney Blakeney I can’t remember exactly when it was I first met Augustus ‘ Gus’ Holt. It was a long time ago. But over the years I found him to be giving, unselfish, appreciative and incessant. After a long battle with various health issues, Gus died April 16 at 73. Over the past few…