We have arrived at a terrifyingly familiar crossroads. Over the last year and a half, the current administration has executed its Project 2025 playbook to a tee, systematically dismantling the civil rights progress and hard-won gains of the past 60-plus years.

With every branch of the federal government aligned with this anti-Black program—and a majority of state governors and state supreme courts nodding in lockstep—the illusion of permanent legal protection has shattered.

The worst thing Blackfolk can do right now is assume that everything will “automagically” improve. History is screaming a different story. If we look closely at the repeating loops of the American experiment, we must ask an uncomfortable, urgent question: Is it past time for an exit strategy?

Historically, every single time Black people have fought, bled, and successfully forced this country to pivot away from its white supremacist foundations, a radical, violent political pushback has followed.

• The Reconstruction Precedent: After the abolition of slavery and the brief radiance of Reconstruction, the white backlash plunged Black America into Jim Crow—a violent rollback of rights that lasted roughly a century.
• The Modern Regression: The monumental gains of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements are being erased right in front of our eyes. In truth, the efforts to dismantle these wins didn’t start recently; they began while the ink on the Voting Rights Act was still wet.

Historians and social commentators today predict that it will take anywhere from 60 to 100 years for Black people living today to fully recover the legal protections, economic ground, and civil rights being stolen from us right now. That means the bitter, unvarnished truth is that most of us living today will not see better days in our lifetime.

If that’s true, why are we still organizing, marching, and voting with the exact same playbook and goals as before? We already know how that story ends: Anti-Black forces will always meet our appeals for justice with violent, economic, and political rollbacks. We need a new approach.

A 21st-century Underground Railroad

For months, national thought leader Lurie Daniel Favors has implored Black people and organizations to stop reacting defensively and start creating the framework for a “21st-century Underground Railroad.” This wouldn’t be a literal trail through the woods, but a sophisticated, underground network designed to allow Black people to escape systemic oppression, pool resources, and find genuine freedom.

But what does a modern exit strategy even look like? The options generally split into two distinct paths: The physical exit and the systemic exit.

“If hereditary bondmen would be free, they must themselves strike the blow… use every means—moral, intellectual, and physical—that promises success,” said the illustrious and under-appreciated Black liberation theologian Henry Highland Garnet, in his Address to the Slaves of the United States, given during the National Negro Convention of 1843. Garnet called for open rebellion against slavery. His idea for an “exit strategy” failed by one vote of being endorsed by the convention.

Option 1: The expatriate route (physical exit)

For some, the answer lies in leaving the United States entirely. This is not a new impulse. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Black intellectuals and colonization societies led by figures like Alexander Crummell, Garnet, and Martin Delany argued that Black humanity, creativity, and intellect could never fully flourish on a soil so deeply poisoned by anti-Blackness.

Crummell actively championed emigration, believing that building up self-determining communities elsewhere was a far nobler use of Black genius than begging for citizenship from a nation that despised them.

In 2026, the expatriate route means looking toward West African countries (such as Ghana, with its continued “Year of Return” initiatives), parts of the Caribbean, or European hubs that offer a lower baseline of anti-Blackness. The goal is to relocate to societies that welcome our humanity rather than criminalize it.

But how many of us have the economic capacity to make such a move? On the flip side, how many of us can afford to stay in the U.S. with anti-Blackness rising exponentially daily?

Option 2: Economic secession (systemic exit)

For others, the best exit strategy isn’t physical relocation, but a deliberate exit from America’s economic and social systems. This means creating our own self-reliant, self-determining networks right here. It looks like building independent food supply chains, autonomous security apparatuses, private educational institutions, and closed-loop economic systems. It’s the practice of being in America without being dependent on it. Multiple Black Power Movement members back in the 1960s and 70s called that creating a “nation within a nation.”

The danger of assuming “It can’t happen here”

This is not a message of gloom and doom; it is an urgent wake-up call. Global history is littered with stories of “othered” groups whose rights were slowly, methodically eroded by the dominant society. In almost every instance—from pre-WWII Europe to various global genocides—the erosion of rights started slowly, and then accelerated so fast that it appeared to come out of nowhere.

In every single one of those historical tragedies, there was always a small, prophetic minority calling for an exit strategy. And in every instance, the vast majority of the oppressed group pushed back, insisting that conditions could never get that bad.

Until they did.

Activating the exit

We don’t need a singular, definitive answer today, but we absolutely must begin organizing around the possibilities. Blackfolk need to take concrete steps immediately:

1. Assess and Resource: Black organizations and individuals must audit their assets, identifying who has the means, dual citizenships, or remote capabilities to pivot.
2. Build the Infrastructure: We must fund the infrastructure for both paths—supporting those who choose to build autonomous zones of survival in the States, and establishing legal and financial pipelines for those who choose to leave.
3. Normalize the Conversation: We must strip away the stigma of “giving up” on America. Leaving a burning house isn’t cowardice; it’s intelligence.

We can no longer afford the luxury of hope without a contingency plan. Whether we choose to exit geographically or economically, we must build the backdoor now. History has shown us the script—it’s time we finally change our ending.

Based on reporting by Jacksonville Free Press.

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By Jheri Hardaway

Staff Writer

On Monday, July 6th Govenor Josh Stein signed House Bill 1173, widely known as Jaleeyah’s Law, in the presence of Jaleeyah’s mother, family, and community leaders. Jaleeyah’s Law is designed to increase penalties for gang-related crimes and provide stronger tools for prosecutors. The law is named in memory of 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune who on December 21, 2025, was shot and killed while walking home with her sister. Three teens have been arrested in connection with her death, according to the Goldsboro Police Department; however, the circumstances and details surrounding the murder are not known to the public.

“It’s about giving prosecutors and communities stronger tools. It is about prevention, accountability and protection for families before tragedy happens,” said Whitney Brown-Tune, Jaleeyah’s mother, in a recent press conference. At the bill signing, Brown-Tune also emphasized, “Us as parents, we need to be more accountable for what our kids are doing on social media. It starts on social media before it hits the streets. Keep that in mind.”

Brown-Tune is completely correct. Social media’s profound impact has required changes in policing tactics and should prompt a shift in how we teach and parent our children, who are our future. Laws against organized crime are essential. Organized crime is just as American as student loans. The issue is how we define a gang. There are gangs, executing organized crimes that are not widely recognized as gangs by law enforcement. There are characteristics the state uses to define a gang member that are inaccurate. Jaleeyah’s Law – House Bill 1173 is necessary, but so is reform around law enforcement best practices.

As parents and community leaders do a better job of monitoring and protecting their children’s online presence. Law enforcement should work to better understand the social media landscape and the cultural factors that shape how some present themselves online. Wearing red or being photographed with a firearm are not enough to say someone is in a gang. Alongside this legislation should be more concrete and transparent criteria that law enforcement uses to define a gang member. Subjective social media observations are dangerous and can lead to wrongful convictions by biased law enforcement officials.

How do I know that law enforcement officials need advising on evaluating gang activity? I recently participated in the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy. During the 13-week program, there is a night called “gang night.” The deputies presented a ton of insight into the gangs in and around Harnett County, along with information gathered from the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association.

During the presentation, I was alarmed that Harnett County is only 20% black but 80% of the gang presentation was about Black people. The deputies talked about people using the word “Cuz” as demonstrating gang affiliation, but I use “cuz,” and I’m not in a gang. They talked about the colors red, black, and green being associated with a gang. I’ve always known these colors as black liberation colors and wear them regularly; again, I am not in a gang. The presentation went as far as to show pictures of the Black Israelites, and the officer indicated, “They’re not necessarily a gang, but they’re a group that you should be aware of or afraid of.” I was upset; why vilify groups when they’ve committed no acts of violence? Why don’t they get the right to freedom of religion like other religious groups in America? The definition of a gang or a gang member needs to be evaluated and shared widely. At the conclusion of the Citizen’s Academy, we were encouraged to give feedback. The leadership of the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the feedback and noted that they don’t know unless someone tells them.

I hope this knowledge empowers law enforcement leaders to be more culturally aware and transparent about what alarms them, so we can grow as a community. Dr. Randal Pinkett said, “If you are not prepared to make your organization more receptive to all people of all backgrounds, then you will not be competitive in the 20th century.”

As a Black American growing up in conservative Cary, North Carolina, I was raised to be considerate and aware of all cultures. Jaleeyah’s Law is important for maintaining safety; I hope we also make room for cultural understanding. The way the law is written, a teen or young adult could post something that is interpreted as gang-related and end up with “Enhance penalties for persons convicted of certain felonies if the offense was committed as part of criminal gang activity.”

Based on reporting by The Carolinian.

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By Jackie Hampton and Wiley Henry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although she received more than 500 local, state, and national honors for her extraordinary contributions to publishing, journalism, civil rights, education, and for her support of economic empowerment within Nashville’s African American business community, Rosetta (Irvin) Miller-Perry sought only to help others succeed in life.

Miller-Perry was smart, relentless and unwavering in her pursuit of excellence while reaching the pinnacle of success. She was a preeminent newspaper publisher, entrepreneur, business owner, advocate, and a warrior for justice. On Friday, June 26, she rested from her labor. She was 91.

Though hearts are heavy, Miller-Perry’s legacy endures. What she accomplished in her lifetime is etched into the annals of history.

Born in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1934, to her parents Anderson Irvin and Mary Hall Irvin, Miller-Perry understood that her life would be dedicated to something greater than herself. The Spirit moved her to reach for the brass ring in life and to help aspirants along the way.

Her journey began in the classrooms of McKinley Elementary School, Coraopolis Junior High School, and Coraopolis Senior High School, where she graduated in 1952. She would later matriculate at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Herzl Community College in Chicago.

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In 1955, Miller-Perry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. But she did not stop there. She went on to work at the Pentagon and for the Adjutant General’s Office in Germany.

In 1956, she graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.S. in chemistry, and in 1957 from the John A. Gumpton School of Mortuary Science with her D.M.S. In 1958, she attended Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College for nurse training while working at Southern Funeral Home in Nashville.

While Miller-Perry was pursuing an education, the Civil Rights Movement was teetering on the edge of uncertainty. The Klan was on a warpath across the South and hellbent on maintaining the status quo. Shejoined the fight for justice in the fury that divided the nation, working in the trenches in Nashville alongside giants like Z. Alexander Looby, Reverend Kelly Miller Smith, Curley McGruder, and countless others who risked everything in their pursuit of justice.

Miller-Perry moved to Memphis and worked closely with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., serving first as a clerk typist for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in 1960. She was a field representative and a trusted observer monitoring Civil Rights activities during the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike in 1968.

While the struggle for freedom was ongoing, Miller-Perry remained vigilant. The fight in her never waned. In 1975, she took a job as director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for the Nashville area and challenged an unjust system that discriminated against African Americans and other marginalized communities.

After retiring from government service, the entrepreneurial spirit in Miller-Perry tugged at her, and she answered the call. In 1990, using her own money, she and her husband, Dr. L.O.P. Perry, who was recognized as the first black gastroenterologist in Nashville, founded and launched Contempora, a Tennessee-focused African American magazine.

In 1991, Miller-Perry recognized a void in positive media coverage of the African American community, and The Tennessee Tribune was born. Miller-Perry poured all her resources into this new weekly newspaper to ensure that African Americans’ voices would no longer be silenced by neglect from mainstream media.

She refused to allow others to define the narrative. For more than 35 years, Miller-Perry built a media empire without shrinking from her vision and provided a vehicle for others to tell their stories. She also gave young journalists opportunities to work under her tutelage when the doors at white newspapers were seldom open for upstarts.

As a member of The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the largest and most influential Black-owned media resource in America, Miller-Perry served several terms on the Board of Directors of the association and the NNPA Fund.

NNPA President/CEO Dr. Ben Chavis stated, “The living legacy of Rosetta Miller-Perry is vital to the future sustainability and progress of the Black Press of America. As Queen Mother of the Black Press, Rosetta Perry exemplified the Black Press’s genius and conscious commitment to freedom, justice, and equality, as NNPA. We pledge to keep Rosetta’s memory alive as we approach the 200th Anniversary of the Black Press in 2027.”

For her work in media and community service, Miller-Perry received the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award on January 25, 2019, during the NNPA Mid-Winter training conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.It was at that gathering that she earned the title of “Queen Mother of the Black Press.” Bobby Henry, a former chair of NNPA, recalls roasting her during this event. “I teased her about being a mortician and how she could do away with people who did not treat her right and nobody would ever know,” Henry said. “She smiled and gave me a look that said it was possible.”

“She had a good sense of humor, but along with all her business savvy, she was a loving, private woman. She had the genuine sweetness of your favorite aunt and the wisdom and sage of your gangster uncle. She was just a well-rounded person full of love and wisdom,” Henry stated.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Miller-Perry established the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce in 1998 and that same year created the Anthony J. Cebrun Journalism Center in partnership with Dell Computers to prepare young people for careers in journalism.

Miller-Perry also founded the Nashville chapter of the Coalition of 100 Black Women, Les Gemmes, Inc., Nashville Chapter, and the National Council of Negro Women. She was also instrumental in building the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., meeting facility in Nashville and in countless initiatives dedicated to service and empowerment.

Even in her later years, Miller-Perry continued to climb the proverbial ladder of success. She was still making headway in journalism and business until an illness slowed her stride. Despite her health challenges and eventual transition, Miller-Perry lives on through her family, friends, business associates, and those she helped to succeed in their respective careers.

Calvin Anderson, president of the Tri-State Defender board of directors, said Miller-Perry was a highly respected publisher who cared deeply about her publication and the Black press overall.

“Rosetta collaborated with the Tri-State Defender and other NNPA publications to advance the Black press and inform its readers and subscribers,” said Anderson, who also counted her as a friend. “Her contributions will be lasting, and her friendship will be missed.”

Dr. John Warren, NNPA chairman and publisher of the San Diego Voice, called Miller-Perry’s passing “one of the great losses of our time and our century.”

“In every respect, she was the virtuous woman that Proverbs spoke about in the Bible. She was a woman who lived a life of service to the community, to government, the military, to business and to the people around her,” Warren added.

“She reminds me of the poet Samuel Longfellow, who said: ‘Lives of great ‘women’ remind us we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.’”

Celebration-of-life services for Miller-Perry will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, in Nashville. Visitation will be at 4-6 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, 625 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Nashville, TN. Viewing begins Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2261 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors has charge.

Jackie Hampton is publisher of The Mississippi Link newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi, and vice president of The National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Wiley Henry is a journalist, visual artist, and photographer, having worked as deputy editor and senior writer of the Tri-State Defender.

Based on reporting by Tri-State Defender.

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