Category: I Am a Stranger in a Strange Land Called America

Essays about the dichotomies and ironies of our American values, beliefs, and practices from both historical and 21st century perspectives.

Independence Day 2020: Reflections on Monuments, History, and Now

July 5, 2020

On this 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, wherein the seeds of the United States of America were planted, I am struck by how much and how little ,we have achieved. If nothing else, we have fought continuously to define what “independence,” “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” “freedom,” “rights,” and “responsibility” mean. … More Independence Day 2020: Reflections on Monuments, History, and Now

If You’re Waiting for Me to Speak Out Because I am a Black Woman….

May 29, 2020

May 28-29, 2020 You can keep waitingUntil the 12th of Never. I’m tired. Tired of writing about my life as a Black Woman from Baltimore. For 6 years(Because President Barack Obamapleaded for us to have aConversation on Race), I’ve tried to tell you, I’ve tried to show you— “Black Lives Matter. The Black Experience IS … More If You’re Waiting for Me to Speak Out Because I am a Black Woman….

Summer of ’69: Chasing the Moon – Remembering Apollo 11

July 27, 2019

The year 1969 was a pivotal time, not just in my life or even our nation’s, but for the whole world. It was a year of social, political, moral, and spiritual upheaval, with demonstrations, riots, conflicts, and wars. Free Love, Black Power, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and other issues were all reaching their … More Summer of ’69: Chasing the Moon – Remembering Apollo 11

How to Stay Sane in These Dark Days: Turn Off the Noise

October 28, 2018

My Multi-Media Addictions I am an admitted news junkie. Though I start most of my days with at least two hours of silence before turning on the television, those hours of silence are spent checking my emails for…. e-News. I subscribe to The Washington Post (thanks to Amazon), The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, Axios, … More How to Stay Sane in These Dark Days: Turn Off the Noise

What Are the Odds of Two Great Americans’ Lives Being Celebrated at the Same Hour?

August 31, 2018

Read my latest post (originally published 3 hours ago) about the strange intersection of The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and the Maverick of the Senate, John McCain, as their lives are being celebrated today, on the new Baltimoreblackwoman Facebook page, at the link below. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjolivia1016%2Fposts%2F477519436083541&width=500 [NOTE: The Facebook page is an extension of the … More What Are the Odds of Two Great Americans’ Lives Being Celebrated at the Same Hour?

The Children’s March – Song Video

March 31, 2018

Two weeks ago, I published the poem The Children’s March[https://baltimoreblackwoman.com/2018/03/17/the-childrens-march/], in anticipation of the March for Our Lives. One week ago, I posted my promised song version on my Facebook page as well as on the March for Our Lives – Baltimore page. I am grateful for the tremendous response from my Facebook family and … More The Children’s March – Song Video

#Enough Is Enough: How Many More Deaths Will It Take?

March 20, 2018

How many deaths will it take til we know That too many people have died? —Blowin’ in the Wind, by Bob Dylan A Fatal In-Home Shooting On Saturday, March 17, 2018, in Monroe County, Mississippi, a 9-year-old boy fatally shot his 13-year-old sister, Dijonae White, in the back of the head after she refused to … More #Enough Is Enough: How Many More Deaths Will It Take?

To Sleep; Perchance to Dream, Only to Wake Up in the Same Nightmare

January 15, 2017

This past week was filled with sleepless nights and listless days. I could not focus on anything useful or positive or productive. I could not write. I could barely stand to read the newspapers, or watch the endless cycle of media rehashes of Senate Hearings, of bizarre hackings (by Russia) of those same hearings on … More To Sleep; Perchance to Dream, Only to Wake Up in the Same Nightmare