During this Black History Month let us celebrate again Barbara Johns, who has been called the most successful American high school activist ever by Slate magazine and the Roanoke Times newspaper. And I agree with them. She was the personification of the theme of this year’s Black History Month, “Resistance,” as she helped bring down … [Read more…]
Among several of its projects, the Roanoke Hidden Histories initiative will erect a statue of Henrietta Lacks, who was born Loretta Pleasant in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1920. The last name “Lacks” came later from her husband’s last name. It is unclear about the change of the first name. Henrietta Lacks is honored because of the … [Read more…]
As we sat watching the insurrection on television on January 6, 2021, my revulsion at the rioters was matched by my disgust at the weak law enforcement response. Later, I joined many others in praising some Capitol police officers for their bravery and heroism. Since the January 6 hearings and the release of the final … [Read more…]
The recent horrible policing killing in Memphis reminds me of a sad part of my youth. As a teenager in Alabama, I studiously avoided police officers, because I had this morbid mindset concerning them. I was resolved with every fiber of my being that if an officer hit me, he had effectively killed two people—him … [Read more…]