Browsing: Editorials

       In today’s world, money speaks louder than words. As Black consumers, we wield an astonishing $1.3 trillion in spending power—enough to reshape industries, demand accountability, and foster equity. Yet, too often, our communities are undervalued and overlooked by the very businesses that profit from our support. This must change. It’s time we make our dollars speak for justice, dignity, and progress.

       Thanksgiving may not be a Holy Day, but it’s a Holiday that reminds us to reflect on the good in our lives. The way we acknowledge our blessings shapes our perspective. When we choose gratitude, we transform every day into a Holy Day, an opportunity to honor life and its gifts.

       As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in 2025, his administration is shaping up to be more radical and dangerous than ever. From his embrace of vaccine skepticism to his disturbing judicial agenda, Trump’s latest cabinet appointments reveal an alarming willing-ness to elevate unqualified and ethically compromised individuals to positions of immense power. Most troubling among these picks is Matt Gaetz, a man with a sordid history that should disqualify him from public office, let alone a cabinet position.

       As we reflect on the recent election, it’s natural to feel a mix of disappointment and pride. While the results did not go as we hoped, we must take a moment to recognize and celebrate the historic and monumental campaign led by Vice President Kamala Harris. She stepped into the fray at a time when our country needed her most, fearlessly fighting to protect our rights and achieve real progress. Her leadership and resilience inspire us all, reminding us that our fight for justice and equity is far from over.

       As a Black man in America, I’ve learned to listen closely when those in power take off their white robes and pointed white hats and put on red neck ties with their negroes in tow, begin to stoke fears and lean on threats. So, when Donald Trump suggested that “bad things could happen if I lose,” I took notice not out of fear but as a reminder. His words were more than just a comment—they were a direct channel to a dark part of American history where intimidation, violence, and division were tactics used to secure their position of power. It’s a message we can’t afford to ignore.

        As the political land-scape continues to divide, endorsements from high-profile figures can hold significant sway, shaping public perception and influencing voters. In recent weeks, an array of Black entertainers, professional athletes, and even controversial figures such as known drug dealers and sex offenders have come forward to endorse Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. While political endorsements from celebrities are nothing new, the troubling nature of these specific endorsements raises questions about the motivations behind them and their implications for our society.

       As the general election approaches, anticipation is building around the possibility of our first female president. Following the historic election of Barack Obama as the first Black president, the potential of a Black female president has a whole different appeal, and this isn’t about diversity for diversity’s sake—she is more than qualified for the role.

This election is not just about selecting a candidate—it is a vote for the future of democracy, civil rights, and equality. At stake is the rejection of Project 2025, an agenda that threatens to dismantle decades of progress in protecting human rights and civil liberties. We must understand the urgency of what lies ahead: the preservation of our democratic values, or their erosion under the weight of extremism.

How do we get beyond the chaos

   This purposeful defamation and dehumanization of people legally seeking a better life, like so many immigrants before them, has no place in a country that built its success on the backs of enslaved people and immigrants.