When voting for the president of the United States, historically, African Americans have more often than not felt compelled to vote against a candidate due to the threat the person poses to our community. Not until the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, who represented hope and change, did African Americans feel like we had someone to vote for. This year we have both. President Donald Trump’s egregious lack of leadership is a threat to the very existence of African Americans. During his presidency, African Americans have lost jobs, wealth, health care, voter protections,…
Editorials
OTIS’ DREAM #VOTETHEDREAM Voting mattered then, and voting matters now! In 1946, when attempting to vote was literally deadly, some among us were willing to do whatever was necessary to vote. This film follows Otis Moss, Sr. through his day long journey to cast his ballot in rural Georgia. Powerful, poignant, and prescient as today’s struggles with voter suppression multiply.
2020 Elections: Restoring Hope and Expanding Opportunities By Antoine M. Thompson While many of us are counting down the days until Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd, most Americans, especially Black Americans are looking forward to the start of the New Year. This year was supposed to be a break-through moment because of the magic and mystique around 2020. Unfortunately, we have experienced a resurgence of police brutality, economic and racial turmoil, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, over half of black businesses are projected to close, over 2 million property…
By Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. Every day, some speaker, writer, analyst, teacher, commentator or someone in casual conversation quotes the words of Dr. King. However, there are two things we often miss or avoid. The first is Dr. King’s total commitment to non-violence and social and political transformation – a revolution of values. Secondly, Dr. King’s sermon topic sent to the church secretary for the Sunday worship at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, before his assassination, “Why America May Go to Hell.” I had a conversation with…
Leading Black Atlanta Optometrist and Activist Transitions C. Clayton Powell, Sr. April 11, 1927 – October 23, 2020 By Hal Lamar, a former patient The first pair of eyeglasses I ever wore was prescribed to me from the man who’s transition I now mourn. Dr. Cleo Clayton Powell, Sr., also lovingly known as Dr. C. Clayton Powell, Sr., one of this city’s most intrepid human beings, notwithstanding his skills as a pioneering optometrist, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 at the ripe ol’ age of 93. He was a…
As much of a researcher and history buff as I am (or claim to be), I almost let one of Atlanta’s most significant civil rights moments of 60 years ago slip right past me. I forgot that in 1960, students from Morehouse, Clark College (now CAU), Morris Brown College, Spelman, Atlanta University and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) created the Atlanta Student Movement. Thanks to an intergenerational conversation broadcast over Facebook Monday, October 19 and assembled by a small but vocal cadre of former students, the historical episode lit up…
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