Ink Barrel

Mark one victory for gentrifiers who look to take over neighborhoods and schools, as they have, with the behind the scenes help of a few squirrels in our community, successfully tarnished the name and reputation of a highly acclaimed Black woman.

Georgia Republicans pitting Walker against Sen. Raphael Warnock shows that overturning voter suppression and unjust laws is just around the corner.

We are a few weeks removed from the horrific shooting in Buffalo, and yet we’ve already seen the sunsetting of the media coverage of this tragic event, as the news cycle has shifted to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and now Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As we embark on yet another holiday to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important for us to reflect on how we as individuals can effect change that can make our society even better.

By now, many people are either tired of or growing immune to information about COVID-19. The fact remains that we know much more about COVID than we did 18 months ago, but many people want to play ignorant or still try to convince themselves that somehow the pandemic is a hoax.

While the term might be seen as an inclusive compromise towards African Americans who push back against the broad references to people of color, the fact remains that the term BIPOC, simply put, is another broad-based term that is intentionally used by policymakers and bureaucrats to water down the ills that plague our society so they don’t look so bad.

It’s time for people to stop with all the rhetoric about government-imposed restrictions that are in the best interest of public safety. You can make all of the excuses that you want, but the fact remains that you are helping prolong this battle against COVID. Take a look at the kids in your family, put yourself in their shoes, and ask yourself what would you like to see adults do in order to win the battle against COVID sooner rather than later.

We have a lot of very bright and talented individuals in our community, many of whom are reluctant to run for political office for many reasons. But now, as we see more and more people placing their names on the ballot and having success, we are seeing an unprecedented interest in Black people, particularly Black women, who are answering the call to public service in order to place our issues on the table and set the framework for a brighter future for everyone.

The reason that Harris gave for not supporting the settlement was because she did not agree with a stipulation in the settlement that precluded both sides from commenting on the case or the settlement. One has to wonder what being able to comment on the settlement or the case has to do with whether or not you vote to approve the settlement.

While the decision on whether or not to get vaccinated is a personal decision, it must be noted that people need to make an educated decision and not a rash decision one way or another. The fact is that we are still far away from a point where COVID-19 is a thing of the past, and we all, whether we are vaccinated or not, must continue to take the necessary precautions – social distancing, properly wearing face masks, not hosting large indoor gatherings, and washing your hands – if we hope to see the other side of this pandemic.