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COMMENTARY: How Evil Are We Becoming?

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Is this an indictment on our current moral ground? Are we indeed becoming that evil? When you casually elect to kill your own, Armageddon has truly arrived. May God save our country? I guess that request is asking God to do something that we won’t do for ourselves.

Published

6 years ago

April 9, 2019

Oakland Post

By Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow, NNPA Newswire Contributors

We must begin to wonder, what is the condition of the mentality of America? The answer must be determined by the morals, customs and positions that we take on various cultural topics. Much of that can be guided through our spiritual interpretations.

In other words, our behavior can be guided through our interpretation or degree of belief in the scriptures. Whether devout or casual, our opinions or morals are guided through the degree of seriousness taken when it comes to following our formal principles. Resources such as the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc. help build upon our laws and customs (moral, ethical or legal).

Our morals appear to be in jeopardy.

Let’s take the subject of fidelity. Fidelity, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary: “The quality of being faithful to your husband, wife, or sexual partner; the quality of being faithful or loyal to a country, organization, etc.; the degree to which something matches or copies something else. The opposite of this would be ‘philander.’”

The Cambridge definition of philander is: “A man who enjoys having sex with a lot of different women without becoming emotionally involved with any of them.” Of course, a woman can do this also. It is evil and violates our Judeo/Christian faith. It violates all religions when you get right down to it. However, it is widespread through our daily lives and no one seems to cry “Foul!”

The above is an indictment on our culture. It is permeated throughout our daily lives and most of us tend to ignore or do nothing about it. So, when at least one presidential candidate not only finds nothing wrong with it, but she proposes the legalization of prostitution. We can’t make this up!

Are we as a people being reduced to the acceptance of “moral debauchery”? When prostitution comes into our political debate, we have truly lost our religion. Selling your “flesh” for profit is truly a one way “ticket” to Hell.

This joins legalized marijuana in our current political debate. Also, stepping into this 2020 political season is the baby killing of newborns. State legislatures are debating whether a so-called mother’s decision to murder her newborn for convenience should be made legal. Pretty soon it is going to be dealt with in Congress and through our court system.

Is this an indictment on our current moral ground? Are we indeed becoming that evil? When you casually elect to kill your own, Armageddon has truly arrived. May God save our country? I guess that request is asking God to do something that we won’t do for ourselves.

What Nazi Germany did against Jews was truly evil and must never be repeated. However, our national legislature, Congress, is now dealing with anti-Semitic rhetoric on the floor of our Capitol building. Why is this an issue in 2019? Our legislature should not tolerate this in any form. Having bigots on highly sensitive and very important committees does not make a good government. This kind of trash coming out of one of the highest chambers in our land is not only embarrassing – it is frightening. We should have zero tolerance on this matter.

Perhaps we should return to faith or religion in the classroom and the rest of mainstream society. There is a decline in Sunday school and other religious instruction of young people within the houses of worship in the U.S. and Canada has largely collapsed. The percentage attendance of children and youth of school age is a small fraction of what it was two generations ago.

The percentage of adults who regard themselves as Christian is currently dropping about one percentage point per year. Many older teens and young adults are leaving the faith group in which they were raised, and apparently not coming back.

The percentage of NOTAs (aka NONES) — adults who are NOT Affiliated with any religion — is increasing by almost one percentage point per year. The percentage of U.S. adults who are affiliated with Protestant churches recently became a minority for the first time in centuries.” according to Religious Tolerance.

Of course, there will be fights and resistance to returning formal prayer to the classroom. So, in the meantime, we will need to follow the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do to you.” And believe in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

Mr. Alford is the Co-Founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Ms. DeBow is the Co-Founder, Executive Vice President of the Chamber. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Emails: halford@nationalbcc.org kdebow@nationalbcc.org

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

5 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

6 days ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: