The Awakening I never really saw myself as one who kept abreast of historical events that involved racial inequity or the politics associated with it. That is, and I am embarrassed to say, was not until way into my adult years. Significant points in time were when; you guessed it – when America got its […]
The Silent Gesture that Changes the Narrative Read More »
Last week we kicked off Black History month with a little-known fact about Slave Markets in DC. We continue this week with a story of one of those enslaved Washingtonians\’ who played a major part in two of the most iconic and historic landmarks in DC. The statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square drew
Black History in Ward 5 – Philip Reed Read More »
Let\’s kick off Black History Month with a scarcely reported fact about our nation\’s capital – slavery. The District\’s proximity to Maryland and Virginia, both slave states, made it an active and profitable slave depot. The very mall which fueled the January 6th insurrection was a major marketplace for slave trading. It\’s probably also befitting
Kicking Off Black History Month – Slave Markets in D.C. Read More »
Until now, talk of reparations conjured up 40 acres and a mule in my mind. That\’s not to say that I don\’t understand the gravity of the situation. It does mean that it harkens back to an archaic concept bypassing other opportunities America has had to make Black America whole. There\’s a saying about being
H.R.40 – Why Reparations Matter Read More »
One of the last images of John Lewis was taken when he made his way to Lafayette Square to be a part of the Black Lives Matter movement. In the middle of his cancer treatment, this man who devoted his life to civil rights had one last glimpse on the road he helped pave. Hopefully,
John Robert Lewis (1940-2020) Read More »
Maybe we can look back to December 8, 1969, as the day the police decided to militarize itself against black people. There\’s an Opinion piece on the Los Angeles Times website that pronounces that \”50 years ago, LAPD raided the Black Panthers. SWAT teams have been targeting Black communities ever since\”. This article dissects how
The Militarization of the Police Force and The Black Panther Party Read More »
“Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations. That’s why we need this holiday.” — Al Edwards, American Politician There was a time when a few people knew of this holiday. When this particular holiday—even still—was
The Cel-Liberation of Juneteenth Read More »
There are two images that continue to haunt me when watching George Floyd\’s life drain away under the knee of a sadistic policeman. It\’s the words Floyd gasped as he made his final pleas for mercy; \”Please, sir\” and a call for mom. Every Black man worth anything has to feel the pain and agony
Please, Sir … a Call for Mom – Enough is Enough! Read More »
On Monday, May 25th in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an African American male by the name of George Floyd lost his life. He lost his life at the hands of a white officer by the name of Derek Chauvin during an altercation where the officer had Floyd in the street on his chest as he put Floyd\’s
Liberty and Justice for All? Read More »
