(March 26, 2009) As the entire country observed the historic election of President Barack Obama amid one of the worst economic crises this nation has ever seen, these are the 'best of times and the worst of times' for black America.
What would happen if Black families across America made real commitments to support Black businesses and professionals?
In an article written for TheRoot.com, Michael E. Ross asks, "In the Obama era, what's the rationale for separating black history from American history?" In my opinion, he has lost sight of the importance of the celebration in the first place. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and other advocates for this recognition were motivated by a desire to include the history of black contributions to our society, not to separate our history from American history. Their success overcame centuries of separating our history from American history.
Fittingly, the South African icon Miriam Makeba passed on after performing at a concert in 
Many Black children and students are socially and emotionally out of control and are choosing violence and aggression as a way to solve problems in the world in which they live. They swear, fight, vandalize, challenge authority and exhibit other overly-aggressive behaviors. Too many of these children have little respect for authority and no fear of consequences for their actions.
For decades, we have been asking schools to do what schools cannot do!
We are asking schools to substitute for broken family structures and decimated communities; to give moral and spiritual values to children; to teach children discipline and self-control; to teach children to want to learn and to inspire them to succeed; and to teach children to make positive and proper life choices.
Schools do not do any of these things well.
