If we aspire to be the best—whether as individuals, organizations, or communities, we must embrace the best in everyone. That means celebrating diversity, practicing equity, and committing to inclusion. These are not just buzzwords; they are the foundations of progress and the catalysts for meaningful change.
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As Fort Lauderdale pre-pares to appoint its next City Manager, the Westside Gazette sought detailed responses from the finalists to address some of the city’s most pressing issues, including climate change, infrastructure, economic equity, and sustainable growth. As the publisher, I emphasized the importance of this opportunity to hear from candidates on how they plan to lead the city into a prosperous and equitable future.
As we witness the unfolding of Donald Trump’s latest wave of executive actions and policy directives, it’s clear his agenda disproportionately threatens marginalized communities, including Black Americans. Whether it’s targeting immigrants, attempting to rewrite constitutional rights, or engaging in blatant political vendettas, these moves are part of a larger pattern of undermining justice and equity.
Rats, in the literal sense, are creatures that infest, gnaw, and devour. They leave destruction in their wake, spreading disease and chaos. Metaphorically, R.A.T.S. infest our society with behaviors and attitudes that breed division, hatred, and inequity. They force financial collapse, annihilate unity, and devastate entire communities. But worse than material destruction, they destroy the human spirit—they destroy dreams.
No matter how deep the darkness may seem, the light will come. As James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” This truth offers a foundation of hope even in the bleakest of times.
Dreams can come true
This holiday season and always, may His eternal PEACE rule with truth, fairness, and love. Let us rejoice in the blessings of each new day, remembering that “from the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” — John 1:16 (NIV)
A government shutdown is not just a political impasse—it is an act of negligence that endangers the lives of millions of Americans. For veterans, Black and Brown families, and low-income communities, the consequences are catastrophic. When federal funding halts, the essential programs that provide housing, food, and medical care crumble, exposing the deep inequalities that have long plagued this nation.
“We cannot predict the future. But we can create it.” This quote from Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ilya Prigogine reminds us that while we may not know what lies ahead, we hold the power to shape it. Today, Black America stands at a crossroads, facing a cycle of challenges that feel eerily familiar—from police shootings of unarmed Black people to the devastating impact of poor health care in our communities. These events echo history, like a relentless loop reminding us of where we’ve been.
The legal trial of Daniel Penny, a former Marine, in the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless Black man, has become yet another flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle with its deepest divides—race, class, mental health, and justice. The tragic encounter on a New York subway between Penny and Neely has sparked outrage, debate, and reflection, forcing the nation to confront uncomfortable truths about who we value, who we fear, and how justice is applied