Housing segregation, redlining, and a historically negligent criminal justice system have plagued the city of Baltimore for decades. State officials' underfunding and chronic disregard toward Baltimore City continue to contribute to the harsh conditions residents have learned to deal with. Over the past five years, Baltimore has continued to be one of the nation's highest crime cities.
Read MoreAs a little girl growing up, I didn’t know I would one day be an activist. Though looking back, I remember a particular defining moment… The Boston Tea Party. My 5th/6th-grade combination class teacher had organized a special lesson to teach us about "no taxation without representation."
Read MoreMLK, Sojourner Truth, Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and your inconsistent social justice retweets don't add up; we hate to break it to you, but you're not an activist! It's tempting to perceive the upsurge of public communications as a bridge to advocacy, and in many ways, it is. However, a clear distinction exists between using social media tools to shed light on injustices more effectively vs. public impression.
Read MoreEarlier this year, we asked our audience some questions about activism. Now, our focus has shifted to the individuals themselves—who are the driving force behind actions seeking social justice? Who is an activist? This time, we'll present glimpses of the answers given by our dear writers, who are embarked on the perpetual quest of advocacy.
Read MoreThere are way too many white people at the cookout, and it's time we revoke some memberships. Black people have to admit that there is too much excitement in finding an ally, friend, or foe who is "down for the Black cause," and it enables us to make our judgment prematurely. Let's be frank; we love a good "old fashioned" overbooking to the Black cookout
Read MoreOn February 14, 1920, Mamie Smith stepped into the spotlight to replace the ailing Sophia Tucker, recording two tracks, “That Thing Called Love” and “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down,” under the record label Okeh. Her success was such that not only was she invited to record another song on August 10 of that same year, but other record companies also decided to seek out other Black voices to bring them to the public
Read MoreMore than half of the planet is currently embroiled in some form of armed conflict, and conflicts are an endless source of all kinds of abuses. Occasionally, we feel compelled to fight for those who are far away, enduring violence. Let's dispel any illusions. We are all part of this global system; we embody it, suffer from it, and perpetuate it. There is no "us" without "them," and no "them" without "us."
Read MoreIn the rich tapestry of civil rights history, Claudette Colvin's name emerges as a silhouetted figure, eclipsed by the luminosity of household names we've come to know. While Rosa Parks commands the spotlight for her brave defiance aboard a Montgomery bus, it is Colvin who lays claim to an earlier, lesser-known act of rebellion.
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