There are a lot of issues with the conclusion of the special counsel probe into what Trump called the “Russia thing.” I will discuss a couple of mine. The special counsel was tasked to determine whether people in Trump’s campaign conspired with Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump or others were … [Read more…]
In 2014, Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke brutally murdered Laquan McDonald, a 17-year old black youth, shooting him 16 times, most after he had already fallen to the pavement. Incredibly no charges were brought against the officer until public protests forced the release of the dash-cam video, showing the youth walking diagonally away from … [Read more…]
In 1951, the Civil Rights Congress, which included such prominent African American figures as W.E.B. DuBois and Paul Robeson, submitted a brief to the United Nations entitled, “We charge genocide: The Crime of Government Against the Negro People.” Here is a quote from page 8 of that document: “Once the classic method of lynching was … [Read more…]
It continually amazes me that people and organizations in positions to do more to atone for racist acts often only apologize. Yes, believable apologies are acceptable actions, but not nearly enough. Too many of us accept this pitiable act. It is time to stop doing that. We must demand more of Governor Northam. He is … [Read more…]
The protest of Democratic leaders demonstrate Omar’s point. Please see article by William Boardman at https://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/55395-rsn-the-sins-of-ilhan-omar-start-with-challenging-rigid-orthodoxy
A new day is trying to be born in Washington. Young progressive members of Congress are pushing the envelope as they promised in their campaigns. But changes do not come easily. Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Muslim, is under fierce attack, even from members of her party, for criticizing American political allegiance to Israel. … [Read more…]
Last fall as the former giant retailer, Sears, teetered on passing from the scene, one of its giants did pass. Superstar Charles Harrison, a retired Sears industrial designer, died at age 87. Black history month is a good time to recount his amazing life and work. While he is not widely known, his work permeates … [Read more…]
The Trump phenomenon is taking the country to some bad places, places where we excuse insanity and hardly blink at corruption. For proof see this 18 minute clip from Rachel Maddow’s show last night. http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/shameless-trump-favor-for-donor-threatens-to-normalize-corruption
Every few years I get to play the role of an artist. The enabler this time is the Virginia Tech School of Visual Arts (SOVA). Their Armory Gallery opened an exhibition of my photographs on January 22, which will run through February 15. The show—labeled Sweet Soul Music—consists of pictures I took between 1971 and … [Read more…]
If this is a teaching monument let’s do it right. To start, see James Comey below. James Comey: Take down the Confederate statues now By James Comey February 7 James Comey is a former director of the FBI and a former deputy attorney general. White people designed blackface to keep black people down, to intimidate, … [Read more…]