Opinion

OP-ED The Struggle for Equality Goes On

Published

13 years ago

August 21, 2013

It has been 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and 50 yearsÖ since my friend and mentor, Medgar Evers, was assassinated. My whole life has been entwined with the civil rights struggle.

One of the major turning points was meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in San Francisco in 1956Ö when Evers brought me here as president of the Mississippi Youth Conference and a youth delegate to the 47th annual convention of the NAACP. This week, I am traveling to Washington to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington. The president is honoring me and other civil rights pioneers at a reception at the White House.

< p>While segregation lasted for but a moment in history, the struggle for racial equality continues from one generation to the next. We should honor that struggle by looking at the stark reality of where we stand today. Fresh in my mind is the murder of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman.

Many view the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin case as a blatant statement of injustice. President Obama said a few weeks ago local communities should do more to fight injustice. How can we do more?

To begin, we should take as our slogan, “Jobs, Justice and Jubilee.”

Jobs, because the unemployment rate nationwide for African Americans is in double digits, 12.6 percent. We must realize that many people cannot get jobs because they are not educated and they do not receive skills training. This breeds hopelessness.

Justice, because Blacks make up the majority of our state’s prison population. It is up to us, beginning in San Francisco, to devise measures to train our police department about racial sensitivity so that they will not profile African Americans. We need to rehabilitation programs that will bolster African Americans who are returning to the community after being released from prison.

A jubilee, because this commemoration of the March on Washington will ring hollow if we do not see it as a time to realize a jubilee in the spirit of Judeo-Christian hope of setting people free who are captives to oppression, bigotry and discrimination. This means releasing immigrants who are deserving of a just and fair immigration policy, which America must establish if she is to be true to the symbolism and meaning of the Statue of Liberty. And there must be jubilee for gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people, who have lived in states of fear, hate and the denial of equal protection under the law.

When we do this, we shall move away from our battlegrounds, from “standing your ground,” to common ground.

The March on Washington was not just a gathering, a picnic or a field day. It was born out of a motivation to empower people economically so that they could build their communities — take care of their families, get an education and own a house. That was the vision of 1963. It must continue to be our vision until we create that “beloved community” my teacher Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life fighting for.

Amos C. Brown is the pastor of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco and president of the San Francisco NAACP.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

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Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  