Black History

COMMENTARY: Baltimore Must Change

THE AFRO — The United States of America was birthed in White supremacy, which, for the greater part of U.S. history, was affirmed again and again through law and custom. That contradiction – “land of the free, home of the enslaved” – was also evident in Baltimore, a city – like the rest of the country – of racial disparities.

Published

6 years ago

October 14, 2019

Oakland Post

A. Adar Ayira (Courtesy Photo: baltimorecity.gov)

By A. Adar Ayira, Special to AFRO

“… [people of African ancestry]…are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word ‘citizens’ in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States. On the contrary, they were at that time considered as a subordinate and inferior class of beings, who had been subjugated by the dominant race, and, whether emancipated or not, yet remained subject to their authority, and had no rights or privileges but such as those who held the power and the Government might choose to grant them.”

~ Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court, March 1857, Dred Scott vs. Sanford

The United States of America was birthed in White supremacy, which, for the greater part of U.S. history, was affirmed again and again through law and custom.

That contradiction – “land of the free, home of the enslaved” – was also evident in Baltimore, a city – like the rest of the country – of racial disparities, including:

African-American citizens being disproportionately victims of traffic stops, jail sentences, and use of force by police; African Americans carrying disproportionately more debt, including school loan debt; Housing segregation – and development to affordable housing – remains a seemingly intractable issue, stifling opportunities for asset development in Baltimore’s African American communities.

It is almost cliché at this point to continue sharing racialized disparities – because so many people either know or live them – or to offer theories of change. Many Baltimoreans are jaded, having seen change efforts come and go.

Along with jadedness, however, there is also hope and resolve. That is what Associated Black Charities continues to see in its partners and within Baltimore communities. ABC works with individuals and institutions that refuse to accept less than a vision of a Baltimore that includes everyone; where everyone has equitable opportunities to thrive; and where all our communities are not only valued but invested.

Because of this, ABC’s agenda incorporates both transactional and transformational strategies.

Many agencies and nonprofits focus on transactional strategies: those that meet immediate and concrete needs of individuals, families, and communities. These are the strategies that are funded by foundations and donors; the types of strategies that are well-understood and easily explainable and that offer “proof of works” (“..we fed 3,000 people this year…”; “we provided housing for 1,200 families…”; or “we trained 600 people who now have jobs…”).

Transactional strategies are fundable because donors can immediately see the impacts and outcomes of their financial support.

However, transactional strategies often bypass the transformational by maintaining and sustaining the status quo: current structures and systems and money and services. Transactional strategies serve a variety of purposes: meeting the basic needs of enough individuals to keep citizens from even more social unrest; giving financial supporters an outlet for charitable giving (and tax write-offs); and keeping social justice movements within the prescribed parameters of comfort of the monied class in exchange for grants/donations.

They keep a lid on social movements that look to address root causes; that serve to disrupt the way things are to create a more inclusive vision of equity that would essentially decrease the need for transactional programs.

ABC, while recognizing the need for transactional strategies that assist individuals and communities with current needs, also realizes that in order to achieve a more equitable society, we must address the root causes that create racialized inequities. Because of this, ABC also focuses on transformational strategies, using a Racial Equity Lens that acknowledges the structural and institutional race-based barriers that continue to operate in American society. We recognize that “silver rights” are just as important as Civil Rights and pursue an agenda to stabilize and expand economic viability in African-American communities in Baltimore. This includes:

Educational advocacy regarding the use of a Racial Equity Lens in policy. ABC understands that policy has never been “universalist” – assuming that everyone has equal access and opportunity – but has always been race-based, damaging not only those specific racial groups for whom policy has erected barriers, but also racial majority populations by generating losses on economic and material productivity,

Institutional support regarding the use of a Racial Equity Lens. The workforce in Maryland for workers 40 and under is now close to “majority-minority.” For businesses to thrive in Maryland, they must have more of an understanding of barriers facing workers of color, as well as opportunities for growth and productivity that those workers can afford them.

ABC’s charge is to change the future. Transactional strategies alone will only serve to support our present. Baltimore – and the state — must look ahead to transform our policies and practices if our children are going to thrive in the 21st Century, and ABC is there to lead and assist in those conversations and that work.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Afro-American Newspapers.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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COMMENTARY: The National Protest Must Be Accompanied with Our Votes

Just as Trump is gathering election data like having the FBI take all the election data in Georgia from the 2020 election, so must we organize in preparation for the coming primary season to have the right people on ballots in each Republican district, so that we can regain control of the House of Representatives and by doing so, restore the separation of powers and balance that our democracy is being deprived of.

Published

5 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. File photo..

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

As thousands of Americans march every week in cities across this great nation, it must be remembered that the protest without the vote is of no concern to Donald Trump and his administration.

In every city, there is a personal connection to the U.S. Congress. In too many cases, the member of Congress representing the people of that city and the congressional district in which it sits, is a Republican. It is the Republicans who are giving silent support to the destructive actions of those persons like the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director, who are carrying out the revenge campaign of the President rather than upholding the oath of office each of them took “to Defend The Constitution of the United States.”

In California, the primary comes in June 2026. The congressional races must be a priority just as much as the local election of people has been so important in keeping ICE from acquiring facilities to build more prisons around the country.

“We the People” are winning this battle, even though it might not look like it. Each of us must get involved now, right where we are.

In this Black History month, it is important to remember that all we have accomplished in this nation has been “in spite of” and not “because of.” Frederick Douglas said, “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”

Today, the struggle is to maintain our very institutions and history. Our strength in this struggle rests in our “collectiveness.” Our newspapers and journalists are at the greatest risk. We must not personally add to the attack by ignoring those who have been our very foundation, our Black press.

Are you spending your dollars this Black History Month with those who salute and honor contributions by supporting those who tell our stories? Remember that silence is the same as consent and support for the opposition. Where do you stand and where will your dollars go?

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Activism

Congresswoman Simon Votes Against Department of Homeland Security, ICE Funding

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

Published

5 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.

By Post Staff

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released a statement after voting against legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

“Today, I voted NO on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13, 2026.

“ICE and CBP do not need more funding to terrorize communities or kill more people,” she said in the media release.

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

“The American people are demanding change. Poll after poll of Americans’ opinions show overwhelming support for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting them from hiding their faces during enforcement actions. This is the bare minimum transparency standard, and this funding legislation does not even meet this low bar,” Simon said.

“Republicans in Congress are not serious about reining in these lawless agencies. Their refusal to make meaningful changes to the DHS funding bill has consequences that go beyond immigration enforcement. TSA agents who keep our airports safe and FEMA workers who help our communities recover from disasters are stuck in limbo due to Republican inaction.

“The Constitution does not have an exception for immigrants. Every person on American soil has rights, and federal agencies must respect them. The East Bay has made clear at the Alameda County and city level that we will hold the line against a violent ICE force and support our immigrant communities – I will continue to hold the line and our values with my votes in Congress.”

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Activism

Post Newspaper Invites NNPA to Join Nationwide Probate Reform Initiative

The Post’s Probate Reform Group meets the first Thursday of every month via Zoom and invites the public to attend. The Post is making the initiative national and will submit information from its monthly meeting to the NNPA to educate, advocate, and inform its readers.

Published

5 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Tanya Dennis

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) represents the Black press with over 200 newspapers nationwide.

Last night the Post announced that it is actively recruiting the Black press to inform the public that there is a probate “five-alarm fire” occurring in Black communities and invited every Black newspaper starting from the Birmingham Times in Alabama to the Milwaukee Times Weekly in Wisconsin, to join the Post in our “Year of Action” for probate reform.

Reporter Tanya Dennis says, “The adage that ‘When America catches a cold, Black folks catch the flu” is too true in practice; that’s why we’re engaging the Black Press to not only warn, but educate the Black community regarding the criminal actions we see in probate court: Thousands are losing generational wealth to strangers. It’s a travesty that happens daily.”

Venus Gist, a co-host of the reform group, states, “ Unfortunately, people are their own worst enemy when it comes to speaking with loved ones regarding their demise. It’s an uncomfortable subject that most avoid, but they do so at their peril. The courts rely on dissention between family members, so I encourage not only a will and trust [be created] but also videotape the reading of your documents so you can show you’re of sound mind.”

In better times, drafting a will was enough; then a trust was an added requirement to ‘iron-clad’ documents and to assure easy transference of wealth.

No longer.

As the courts became underfunded in the last 20 years, predatory behavior emerged to the extent that criminality is now occurring at alarming rates with no oversight, with courts isolating the conserved, and, I’ve heard, many times killing conservatees for profit. Plundering the assets of estates until beneficiaries are penniless is also common.”

Post Newspaper Publisher Paul Cobb says, “The simple solution is to avoid probate at all costs. If beneficiaries can’t agree, hire a private mediator and attorney to work things out. The moment you walk into court, you are vulnerable to the whims of the court. Your will and trust mean nothing.”

Zakiya Jendayi, a co-host of the Probate Reform Group and a victim herself, says, “In my case, the will and trust were clear that I am the beneficiary of the estate, but the opposing attorney said I used undue influence to make myself beneficiary. He said that without proof, and the judge upheld the attorney’s baseless assertion. In court, the will and trust is easily discounted.”

The Black press reaches out to 47 million Black Americans with one voice. The power of the press has never been so important as it is now in this national movement to save Black generational wealth from predatory attorneys, guardians and judges.

The next probate reform meeting is on March 5, from 7 – 9 p.m. PST. Zoom Details:
Meeting ID: 825 0367 1750
Passcode: 475480

All are welcome.