Roughly two years ago, after recent gun violence incident in South Florida, a local community group hosted a much needed “Stop the Gun Violence” town hall.
Read MoreTwo Faith Leaders on Youth Violence and Solutions – Part 2 of 2
“America’s schools were not designed to do what we’re asking them to do…there has to be a collaborative effort between church, schools and community. Kids need something different…Our kairos moment is now.” — Rev. Dr. Velma Union
Read MoreTwo Faith Leaders on Youth Violence and Solutions – Part 1 of 2
Since the death of Michael Brown, our nation has heard from diverse parts of Brown’s Ferguson, Missouri community, as well as thoughtful political and legal analysis from noted experts. I’ve reported on this incident in three previous ‘village’ reports.
Read MoreGun Violence: Millennials Deserve Peace
The daily shock and awe of news media coverage associated with the latest high profile act of gun violence in communities throughout the United States has become a sad but true norm in our nation’s culture.
Read MoreHow Many More Michael Browns Have to Die?
Parts of St. Louis looks like it’s a bombed out war zone. And in reality, it is a war zone … St. Louis is a war zone. The combatants are typically young black men, many just above the age of puberty. They’re at war with each other and by in large, the community is at war with the police.
Read MoreCan Higher Education Help Solve our Problem with Gun Violence?
A few weeks ago I read an essay, “Why I hate being a black man”. There isn’t much in it that I could relate to but there was one thing that forced me to reflect.
Read MoreIt’s Hoodie Weather. Be Careful.
I must admit. I have not lost the momentum that I gained from my attendance at last month’s 43rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The sessions, the information, the people—all inspired me to go back to my community and be that catalyst for needed change.
Read MoreCurbing the Culture of Violence
On March 8, 1998, my brother, Henry Lee Baber III, was shot 14 times by an unknown suspect and died instantly in Los Angeles.
Read MoreTurn Your Emotion to Action
I was deeply heart broken when I heard the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial. So much so that I didn’t want talk about it, yet I could not get my mind off of the number of young black males that are shot, killed and buried every day in our communities.
Read MoreThe Black Man Continues to be a Target in America
While according to the most recent census, African-Americans make up 13.6 percent of the population yet in 2011, according to the FBI; African-Americans accounted for half of all murder victims in the nation that year.
Read MoreBrothers, We Need To Talk…
After the outrage over Trayvon Martin ceases, we are still left with “Chiraq”. We are still left with “Bucktown” and multiple other cities where we are offing each other in record numbers.
Read MoreI AM RACHEL JEANTEL!
As a lover of language, a scholar, and a college professor of English Composition and the Humanities for the past 12 years, I GOT IT! I GET IT! I understood EVERY word that Miss Rachel Jeantel spoke while she was on the witness stand two weeks ago and during her post trial interviews.
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