The tobacco industry decades ago launched a devastating campaign to target the black community with its products, its primary tool being menthol cigarettes. This sustained attack on black health has resulted in profits in the billions and the deaths of millions. Understandably, health and social and racial justice advocates, among many others, saw great promise in the … [Read more...] about Time for action: White House needs to end delay, move forward with Ban on Menthol
Editorials and Opinions
Seek and ye shall find
There is beauty and positive people in the world. We often get so caught up in the madness of daily existence that the previous fact is often forgotten. Look around you and if you ignore the egoic mind, you will see several examples of beauty. For a few minutes, let’s put the negativity aside and seek out the beauty in life. It is there, just like there is beauty inside of you. … [Read more...] about Seek and ye shall find
Rosalynn Carter: Honoring a legacy
On November 28, 2023, the family of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter held a beautiful memorial service for her at the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University. Guests included President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton, former First Ladies Melania Trump, … [Read more...] about Rosalynn Carter: Honoring a legacy
Christmas wishes
Christmas shopping officially began on November 24, 2023, the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday. Gifts are now being purchased online and in malls across the USA. Children will be counting the gifts under Christmas trees. Many people will be in jewelry stores purchasing diamond rings for loved ones in hopes of future marriage. Many Christmas wishes will be … [Read more...] about Christmas wishes
Thankful on Thanksgiving
It is the end of November 2023. It is the start of the holiday season. The Thanksgiving turkey will lead to Christmas trees and gift giving. This is a truly pleasant time of year in the USA. This Thanksgiving African Americans have much to be thankful for, and here are a few of these blessings. African Americans should be thanking their lucky stars that slavery is over. … [Read more...] about Thankful on Thanksgiving
A place at the table
I’ve shared before the description of an editorial cartoon my father kept pinned up in the vestibule of our church that made a deep impression on me I have never forgotten. It was a black and white drawing by the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Herblock that was originally published in the Washington Post in October 1947. The picture showed a group of well-dressed, happy people … [Read more...] about A place at the table
What would you do?
I recently received a message on social media from an African American, warning other African Americans about evil being among them. The evil came in the form of supposed DNA experiments on African American female embryos. I messaged the person back and asked a question. The question was simple, “What would you do if the roles were reversed?” The reply came immediately in the … [Read more...] about What would you do?
What are the end results
When a person takes action it is to get some form of result. When a group of people decide to take action, it is usually because they want a result. Actions should lead to results. In a sane person the results are usually ones that benefit that person. With this previous statement in mind, are there any beneficial results from some of the actions African Americans are taking? … [Read more...] about What are the end results
Charles Ogletree
“Tree had everyone’s backs; he saw the potential in everyone and sought to nurture it.” So said Tomiko Brown-Nagin, dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard and professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School, and one of Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree’s many colleagues, admirers, and friends. Charles Ogletree, who died August 4, … [Read more...] about Charles Ogletree
Remember who you are
There is a line in The Lion King where Mufasa tells Simba he has forgotten him. Simba denies this and Mufasa reiterated this point by saying, “You have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me. You are more than what you’ve become.” I always thought these were the best lines in the movie. African Americans talk about and brag about Black History. In reality African Americans … [Read more...] about Remember who you are