Systemic racism has locked many blacks out of homeownership — As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. Nelson Mandela The American Dream is an idea African Americans have been locked out of since the ink began to dry on the constitution. The legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, the crack…

If the foundation is weak, the house will crumble. — I don't write many articles about the craft of writing. Why? I am no expert. I have no publishing deals, and I don't earn any real money from my work. So I, like most writers, shout into the void and hope someone is listening. Carpentry and writing are crafts that…

Part one of a three-part saga about our youngest son. — My phone rang in my pocket. The vibration startled me because I was walking the bus line of the elementary school where I was the principal. The day was June 7th, 2011. It was unbearably hot and humid, and I was ready for these buses to take these kids home…

It’s fun watching them squirm under pressure. — I am not writing this to disparage writers who don't answer comments on their articles. I understand that some writers receive such high engagement and multitudes of comments that it's next to impossible to interact with readers. …

She abandoned me because I didn’t love her. — I was sitting in my easy chair, wondering why I couldn’t write a word on the page. I thought about the cursor teasing me when a text message appeared on my phone. I looked at it with curiosity because an image was attached. Should I open it, I thought. It…

However, race is an artificial social construct used to oppress, so in reality, she was correct. — For several days I've pondered the suspension of Whoopie Goldberg from the View. I didn't know what she said until later since I hadn't read much news that day. I've read the comments several times and attempted to unpack what I believe she was trying to state to the audience…

Has Martin’s Dream morphed into a blues song — He built a dream from powerful words Spoke over masses of eager dreamers Ready to break the chains of oppression Change America toward an equal direction The Blues of Martin Is his dream shot dead Was equality all in our heads Did aspiration die with him in Memphis Extinguished by…

When do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one? — "Jazmine, call 911. Your mom is about to pass out!" That was my frantic call to my 18-year-old daughter the day after Christmas, 2021. My heart was in my throat as I held my wife's arm and guided her to the bed. I was walking around in a fit of…