Not every speaker tells a crowd of young leaders that their job is to get into trouble. But that’s part of the message iconic civil rights warrior and now Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) conveyed at this year’s week-long Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools®’ National Training that began June 1st for nearly 2,000 college age Freedom School servant leaders and site … [Read more...] about John Lewis to young leaders: Get in ‘necessary trouble’
Perspective
The front lines
There continues to be a lot of talk about what to do about the senseless violence that continues to occur in every large city in America. Each day there is an act of violence that makes no sense at all. And nearly every week we hear the same conversations regardless of who is talking-- an elected official, community leader, business owner or local resident - - about stopping … [Read more...] about The front lines
The old same song
It has been said that one of the definitions of insanity is to keep doing the same thing but expect different results. There is outrage in the Milwaukee African American community because a young girl was shot. African Americans are looking for answers and a solution for the violence in their neighborhoods. African Americans have always had a penchant to look everywhere else … [Read more...] about The old same song
Our paralysis is tied to our hopelessness (Part 2)
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) Today, Blacks are being urged to forget about our history in this country … [Read more...] about Our paralysis is tied to our hopelessness (Part 2)
Freedom riders
Our American history is full of men and women of all races who have played a significant role in shaping what it means to be a true American and for civil rights. Some of them became quite noticeable for their efforts, while others worked in the background and became great supporters of the movements. At the time, what they did or the service provided was not history, but … [Read more...] about Freedom riders
Breaking the code of silence
“I found my voice long before I became a writer in community organizing. That’s where I found my voice, where I was able to take all that pain and transform it into something useful in the world, and I never looked back.” Michael Patrick MacDonald is a storyteller. Michael recently encouraged the crowd of young leaders at the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools’® National … [Read more...] about Breaking the code of silence
50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
By Ralph Hollmon President & CEO Milwaukee Urban League As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we must never forget the vision and courage of those who worked to ensure its passage and we know that some of them made the ultimate sacrifice. I also want to thank and commend James Santell and his colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s office … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
We’re all accountable to the movement
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 months, I’ve been writing for the Black newspapers in … [Read more...] about We’re all accountable to the movement
Seeing the forest
“Can’t see the forest for the trees,” is a figure of speech (or idiom) that some use to describe when people are having a hard time seeing a larger perspective of a particular situation. This figure of speech requires that one should be able to understand the whole if one can understand the meaning each of the parts that make up the whole. We use idioms or figures of speech … [Read more...] about Seeing the forest
Just don’t go
In the 1990’s it was often said that Wisconsin’s prison system had a revolving door. Many complained that criminals were being coddled and let back onto the streets without any punishment. People wanted stricter laws to keep criminals where they belong, in prison. Truth in sentencing was created to keep criminals in jail for longer periods. It's 2014 and people are upset … [Read more...] about Just don’t go