As Christians this past weekend celebrated Easter, in the midst of this holy season for so many faith traditions, I return again to the Easter Sunday service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in April 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, titled “Questions that Easter Answers.” Dr. King said one of these questions is “Is the universe on the side of … [Read more...] about Reminders of renewal
Editorials and Opinions
Play for your own
There is March Madness in the USA. The NCAA D1 Men's Tournament started in March and ends in early April. For college basketball fans this is the best time of the year. Big money changes hands during the tournament. The majority of the teams that compete in the NCAA Tournament are predominantly white schools that feature African American players. You have to wonder how the NCAA … [Read more...] about Play for your own
Ella Baker
As Women’s History Month continues, I wanted to highlight again another transforming woman whose name I hope young people will learn: Ella Josephine Baker. Ella Baker said this 60 years ago as she was speaking about the murders of Freedom Summer workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who disappeared together in Mississippi in June 1964. During the … [Read more...] about Ella Baker
You have to wonder
You can only shake your head when looking at the chaotic state of US society in 2024. There is confusion in politics. There is a lack of morals and hypocrisy displayed in every race that makes up the country. Ignorance is running rampant and wiping the minds of the next generation of US citizens. You have to wonder if this is some divine penance for the hatred US society has … [Read more...] about You have to wonder
Black history, women’s history: Septima Clark
As Black History Month ends and Women’s History Month begins, it’s always a special privilege to honor leaders who overlap in both—black women who did their part to change American history. As we approach the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer, one of these leaders to know and honor is Septima Clark, the woman Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called the … [Read more...] about Black history, women’s history: Septima Clark
Not equal but the same
For too many years to count there has been an attempt by African Americans to be treated as equal to white Americans. Over the years violence and other means have been used by both white and black Americans to avoid or achieve this equality. In 2024 equality is still a dream, but there is one reality that the USA has achieved between the two major races. African Americans and … [Read more...] about Not equal but the same
A Christmas lesson
On December 24, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the message at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on what would be his last Christmas Eve. The message was titled, “A Christmas Sermon on Peace”. More than 50 years later, I reiterate some of that powerful lesson. In a season when many people sing carols praying for peace on earth, Dr. King shared a … [Read more...] about A Christmas lesson
Time for action: White House needs to end delay, move forward with Ban on Menthol
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
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