A series of essays highlighting the ongoing issue of race in the culture, politics, and psyche of America.
In late July, I took advantage of my bookstore membership discounts and ordered both To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM) and Go Set a Watchman (GSAW). I had seen the movie version of TKAM as a girl and I already owned a copy of the book that I’d read as a girl, but it was buried … More Atticus Finch Is NOT a Racist…But He’s Not the True Hero of the Story, Either!
He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. —Battle Hymn of the Republic In the three weeks that led to South Carolina’s historic decision to remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds, no reasonable person-on-the-street was asking for other Confederate symbols, such as monuments, to … More The Civil War of 2015 – Part II: The Battle Over Monuments
The Emanuel Nine Massacre in Charlotte, South Carolina has forced America to finally come to grips with one of the ugliest facets of its 239-year history: The War Between the States (aka The Civil War)—and, more importantly, the scourge of Racism, which has always been at the heart of American History. When I look back … More The Civil War of 2015 – Part I: Ding-Dong, The Flag Is Gone
Part III: What’s Really Going On? On May 31, 2015, all the news reports were about the surge in violence in Baltimore during the month of May—a homicide rate not seen in decades, and nonfatal shootings increased, too. That day, and over the past week, I’ve had conversations (via Facebook) with a few friends from … More Baltimore UpRising: The Struggle Continues – 3
Part II: How Did We Get Here? “We have time-warped back to 1971—when Marvin Gaye’s song, “What’s Going On” first came out—and 1972—the ‘last’ time Baltimore was in such a seemingly lawless state!” —Baltimore UpRising: The Struggle Continues Part I: What’s Going On?!? Fifty years ago, Baltimore was not unlike Ferguson, Missouri, in that black … More Baltimore UpRising: The Struggle Continues – 2
Part I: What’s Going On?!? This article is Part I of a planned three-part series discussing the ongoing Baltimore UpRising. Look for Part II: How Did We Get Here? and Part III: What’s Really Going On in Upcoming Posts on this page. What’s Going On Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying Brother, brother, … More Baltimore UpRising: The Struggle Continues
It’s been a long, hard week for my City of Baltimore. Skipping to the nitty-gritty tonight. I have lots of questions. I want answers. 1. On Monday, April 27, 2015, when schools were letting out, why did the Baltimore Police Department and the City hamper the students’ ability to go home peacefully by blocking their … More Justice for Freddie Gray: Ongoing Questions
Within the last few hours, Baltimore City took an important step forward in our pursuit of Justice for Freddie Gray. The Baltimore City State’s Attorney announced that 6 Baltimore Police Department officers have been criminally charged in the homicide death of Mr. Gray. Charges range from reckless manslaughter (not premeditated), assault, misconduct, and other charges, carrying a … More Baltimore City Moving Forward: Justice for Freddie Gray
Even my dog understands the 10:00 PM Curfew now in effect in Baltimore City. Normally, we would go for our last walk of the night—around our yard—anywhere from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM. But since Tuesday night, we’ve been taking our last walk a bit earlier, making sure to be inside by the “witching” hour. … More The Curfew, The Curfew! Let’s Not Forget The Curfew
I have written before that I am a native of Baltimore, with long and strong roots in the state of Maryland. The Baltimore you are witnessing on your news tonight is not my Baltimore. The hordes of rioters, looters, arsonists, and thugs you have seen on your screens tonight—or that you may have watched on … More Baltimore City Is My Home
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