Author: Carma Henry

Women rangers work to keep lid on illegal game hunting

n the wake of the tragic murder of George Floyd and countless other Black Americans at the hands of police officers, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley and Allentown City Councilman Joshua Siegel spoke with Allentown Black Lives Matter (BLM) organizers to unite and work together on finding solutions to prevent further loss of life, protect residents, strengthen standards, and improve the quality of Lehigh Valley police departments.

     Recently the Equity Leadership Steering Committee associated with an almost entirely white school district in Maine came out with a strong letter asking citizens to acknowledge not just the anodyne “white privilege,” but the actual “white supremacy” pervasive in our nation. Not unexpectedly, they received some kickback. Fortunately, the Superintendent of Schools had the courage to back them up. 

Trump’s Bizarre Arms Race

     In Detroit, with COVID-19 bursting the boundaries of our everyday catastrophes, we are seeing astounding — and overdue — changes in police and courtroom practices. This comes after thousands in the community have long demanded an end to aggressive police stops, driver’s license suspensions and court debt. Macomb County, near Detroit, just shelved plans for a new $300 million jail, citing the pandemic.

      Administering these suggestions would be easy. The House could absorb the Senate’s responsibilities by the end of the week. The other changes are pen strokes. Everyone is asking what we should do to end racism. Let us start here.

Blacks must take power from Whites

From Rage to Reform

     Black and Latinx seniors are more likely to be affected by health conditions that can heighten the risk of coronavirus-related complications. Black adults are 20 percent more likely to have asthma, 72 percent more likely to be diabetic, and eight times as likely to be diagnosed with HIV than white adults. Tackling these chronic conditions and slowing disease progression is essential to protecting these individuals, future generations, and their communities from future health crises.

     Mrs. Bradford, a retired Dallas schoolteacher and long-time minister’s wife, said it was faith and common sense that sustained her through it all and, if her Maker wills it, she expects that approach to carry her on, even though coronavirus. “Prayer and meditation,” she said. “I also have a favorite scripture and hymn that speak to every aspect of my life …”