Thursday for The Root I wrote a piece about a nonprofit collective that fell apart in Baltimore like so many have before. It was meant to bring all the groups together so they could fight for various causes, but struggles to find successors who could get along and the founders moving on to other things lead to its demise, to the detriment of Baltimore’s youth. This is a similar pattern that plays out at all social justice nonprofits, where members come together around one charismatic leader, but fall apart once that leader is gone. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Freddie Gray
My Hair Is Laid Like … the Women of Baltimore
This week powerful black women, doing things, who are taking care of business (or not) have emerged during the media frenzy surrounding the horrific death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who sustained injuries that led to his death while in police custody. In this painful tragedy, it’s hard to find a positive strand to cling to, but thankfully in Baltimore, sisters (and their versatile hair) truly are doing it for themselves, and are front and center in the fight for justice and peace in this debacle.
Jamal Bryant Is Fighting For the Heart of Baltimore
In my latest post for The Root I profiled controversial and charismatic pastor Jamal Bryant. Bryant is known for his viral internet fame when he quoted Chris Brown, but is also known for his work in fighting mass incarceration and police brutality. He spoke with me over the phone on Wednesday. We discussed the death of Freddie Gray, the impact it has had on the city and the controversy around that viral video. Continue reading
A Party While the World Burns
Last night I went to a reception for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It was my first time attending the event in any form since I moved to D.C. in 2009. I don’t know what I expected. It was much louder, chaotic and crowded than I imagined (and I was already prepared for it to be a bit of a mess getting in and out of). But nothing like the idea of the President of the United States, the First Lady and a gaggle of celebrities to bring out thousands on a rainy, cold spring evening.
But while there was the usual cocktail sipping and chances for the brainiac set to ogle “Jamie Lannister” and Gabourey Sidibe while having thrilling stare-downs with a game-faced Chanel Iman, 55-miles away in Baltimore, Md. protests were erupting over yet another black man’s death in police custody. This time 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who suffered a traumatic spinal injury and eventually died after an interaction with police officers who denied him medical aid. Continue reading
