My question to both the Black and White communities is: How many countries benefited from or were privileged by the American institution of slavery? This was a global economic phenomenon. How many United States companies directly benefited literally off the backs and plight of Blacks in America? How many industries were direct beneficiaries from the United States' institution … [Read more...] about Life isn’t fair (Part 2)
Perspective
The inner city blues
“Oh, make you wanna holler, The way they do my life” Those are some of the lyrics sung by Marvin Gaye in the song entitled “Inner City Blues.” It became one of his three top selling singles on the “What Going On” album in 1971. The song full title was “Inner City Blues (Make me wanna holler)" and was the last song on the album. It was recorded in September of 1971 and … [Read more...] about The inner city blues
The rites of autumn
There are certain events that take place without fail to announce the fall season. The NFL football season starts at the beginning of September. Children head back to school around Labor Day. There is the annual march to stop violence or reclaim neighborhoods in the African American community. The yearly traditions keep repeating themselves over and over. The NFL kicked off … [Read more...] about The rites of autumn
Life isn’t fair, unless we make it fair
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/ CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook (Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) Whoever told us that life is fair was a liar. What is the evidence? When you … [Read more...] about Life isn’t fair, unless we make it fair
Let’s do a selfie
It is all the rage these days, but it is nothing new... people taking photographs of themselves. The greatest difference today is that is easier to do since the creation of smartphones, digital cameras and webcams. Unlike the past, when people used a camera that had a timer, attached it to a tripod; placed it on a shelf or table top. You would then set the timer and hurry to … [Read more...] about Let’s do a selfie
The rites of autumn
There are certain events that take place without fail to announce the fall season. The NFL football season starts at the beginning of September. Children head back to school around Labor Day. There is the annual march to stop violence or reclaim neighborhoods in the African American community. The yearly traditions keep repeating themselves over and over. The NFL kicked off … [Read more...] about The rites of autumn
Where is the Black leadership?
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) Over the past two years, I’ve met with hundreds of Black men and women in a … [Read more...] about Where is the Black leadership?
The big little league
It’s been quite a month...and what a wild emotional and draining ride it has been. On one hand our hearts were broken by what occurred in Ferguson, MO. Another shooting of an unarmed young black man at the hand of a policeman, protests, looting, riot gear being worn, tear gas being used, arrests, rifles pointed at protesters, setting of curfews, civic disobedience, and military … [Read more...] about The big little league
The emotional toll of growing up Black in America
Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a brilliant Black Ohio State University professor, recently opened the Educational Testing Service and Children’s Defense Fund co-sponsored symposium on Advancing Success for Black Men in College by sharing a question his 14-year-old son asked him: why did he get in trouble for speaking out of turn when he jumped in to answer his teacher’s question, but … [Read more...] about The emotional toll of growing up Black in America
We have some house cleaning to do (part 3)
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) How is it that when you describe anything bad it usually has the word … [Read more...] about We have some house cleaning to do (part 3)