Why are black people dying at such a disproportionate and alarming rate from COVID-19? Because of its devastation, this pandemic of can be known as the Black Death of the 21st Century, and I put emphasis on black.

Political leaders who trade in falsification and distortions seem to ignore the fact that lying to the people they serve or deceiving others is wrong. So I wonder why U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Joshua Hawley (R-Missouri) are so vigorously defending President Donald J. Trump despite the over…

It outrages me at this late date to hear commercials featuring  the Drifters singing “White Christmas” and  advertisements highlighting Charles Brown, Lowell Folsum, Muddy Waters,  The Coasters, Howling Wolf, Buddy Guy, The Midnighters and other African-American artists who were not heard on…

Ignoring the lives and legacies of African Americans is disgraceful. Most people know the story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Gobels Johnson, black women depicted in the movie “Hidden Figures.” They crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and…

I recently viewed the site at 4521 Natural Bridge, now a vacant lot that was once Archway Recording Studio and the residence of the late Oliver Sain. I was saddened and depressed. St. Louis and the world lost a place that created and housed music and fine art.

With so much political and social stratification in a system by which people depend on resources for upward mobility and, in some instances, survival, it is alarming that St. Louis is without a daily black talk and information radio station or program.

Better information on the community’s awareness and concerns are of vital importance to every ethnic group, particularly African Americans. The St. Louis American and other print media published by black people keep us informed on the unique and combined contributions of race, ethnicity, inc…

While I was growing up on Chicago’s near South Side, there were several movie theaters within five minutes walking distance of my home. There was The Joe Lewis Theater, The States, The Grand, The Terrace and the Park. A five minute bus or streetcar ride gave me access to the Regal, The Owl, …

In my November 4, 2004 column, I asked, “How did you observe Columbus Day? Were you one of the millions who went shopping downtown or at a mall, taking advantage of the many holiday sales? Did you attend a parade or participate in any of the scores of celebrations around the nation? Or did y…

In my November 4, 2004 column, I asked, “How did you observe Columbus Day? Were you one of the millions who went shopping downtown or at a mall, taking advantage of the many holiday sales? Did you attend a parade or participate in any of the scores of celebrations around the nation? Or did y…

Tuesday, November 6 is general elections day in Missouri. Federal offices that are up for election during the midterms are members of the United States Congress, including all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, and the full terms for 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the Uni…

Did you celebrate Juneteenth? Have you purchased your meats and delicacies for the 4th of July? There are many African Americans who will not celebrate America’s Independence Day.

I have always been a fan of what is now called Southern soul music, a type of music that developed from what we once called R&B, soul, jazz and blues. Some have hijacked the classification and now associate the artists with hip-hop and rap, but the generations who grew up with these soun…

Thanks to Dr. Rosalind Norman, also known as Dr. Roz, I now have an understanding of the culture of hip-hop.

The country observes, January 20, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as “A Day of Service.” His late widow, Coretta Scott King, described his birthday celebrations across the nation as “the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timele…

We should remember that African-American music played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna’ Come” and Curtis Mayfield’s “Keep on Pushing,” “We're a Winner” and “People Get Ready” were songs that were labeled “Soul.”

Now that Circuit Judge Jimmie Edwards has been named the new director of Public Safety for St. Louis, effective November 6, will the protests of the Jason Stockley verdict lessen the cries of “No Justice - No Peace”?

Incarceration is a crisis among African-American men and boys, so why are so many killing each other? The African-American male is often called a moving target by some police departments, and some say the black male is an endangered species. So I ask, why are black men killing other black men?

Poor people, and especially people of color, should be troubled about the budget cuts implemented by Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois and Governor Eric Greitens of Missouri. These two wealthy politicians do not give the impression that they understand the disparity between the rich and poor…

Many believe that sagging pants began in the prison system, where belts are not allowed to be worn because they can be used as weapons or as a method to suicide. Hip-hop artists implemented this, and it rapidly became popular among the youth.

Finally, after nearly two years with barely any acknowledgment or appreciation, six African-American-themed films, and at least 10 black actors and filmmakers, are able to shout, “Say it Proud – I’m Black and I’m LOUD.” Some in Hollywood and all around the world should be shouting from the r…

While watching demonstrators in major U.S. cities protest President-elect Donald Trump, I looked back on the many times we have protested before, but somehow this is different.

Bob Law, former host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Night Talk” and civil rights advocate, is heading a new campaign to “Turn off Killer Radio.”

Malcolm X knew the significance of education. He memorized the dictionary, read the Bible and began studying everything from archeology to genetics.

The Donald Trump rampage – still hard to believe, after nearly a year – is a symptom of something deeper and more profound: the Republican Party's slide into complete incoherence.

I remember an episode of “Sanford and Son,” starring Redd Foxx, where he revealed his conk, meaning  his processed red hair, and described it as “dyed, fried and laid to the side.” It brought uncontrollable laughter from the live audience and was described by many in the African-American com…

History has shown that a people who survived slavery, bigotry and prejudices for centuries and emerged into a creative, artistic and resourceful ethnic group must be exceptional. We think we can overcome almost anything. We fight racism, bigotry and job discrimination on a daily basis.

While many national news and cable networks continually ask and debate whether the U.S. justice system treats individuals differently based on race, any person of color and most freethinking people will profess that the question is ludicrous. The answer is YES.

What a question, you ask? Of course ,the answer is yes, but hearing about and witnessing the violence by some roguish, unscrupulous, malicious criminals, many could easily say no. The killing of black children, women and men by black men is disgraceful and despicable.

From the 1940s until today, African-American radio personalities established, advanced, engineered and urbanized Soul Radio and played a central and essential part in the shaping of the history of St. Louis.

From the 1940s until today, African-American radio personalities established, advanced, engineered and urbanized Soul Radio and played a central and essential part in the shaping of the history of St. Louis.

I am utterly astounded that there were no significant media tributes or celebrations over the passing of Dr. Yosef A.A. ben-Jochannan, or as he was known, Dr. Ben.

Have you seen cemetery tombstones reading “I Told You I Was Sick – Do You Believe Me Now?” Well, African Americans have been complaining about police brutality, harassment, intimidation and killings for years, and now since the release of the Department of Justice on Ferguson, I ask the worl…

I understand that many of our readers might be tired of hearing about and reading about Michael Brown Jr., Eric Garner and the movements that erupted in Ferguson, New York and across the nation. What astounds me is that so many forget the basis of the outbreaks. And for those who do not know…

Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani is living up to his image of bigotry and intolerance. How can he blame President Obama for the unrest and civil disobedience that followed the Michael Brown Jr. and Eric Garner killings? It reveals the insensitivity of a man with a track record of …

Although St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch has promised a complete and impartial investigation into the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, protestors who have taken over the streets of Ferguson are calling on McCulloch to remov…

In June 2000, I wrote in this column about the next March on Washington:

I know the title of the soap opera is “The Young and the Restless,” but I want to focus on the number of friends and family members I have lost to preventable diseases, especially diseases caused by smoking.  

Every month I join a conference call initiated by radio pioneer Bob Law. On the calls are Malauna Karenga, author, college professor and the originator of the cultural holiday Kwanzaa; Molefi Kete Asante, author and professor in the Department of African American Studies at Temple University…

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech is among the most celebrated in the nation’s history, but as we celebrate the birthdate of Malcolm X, we should also know that Malcolm too had a dream. He had a dream of justice and self-determination for his people that was free of v…

After celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and African American History Month, most of us will be fooled into believing we are rejoicing the freedom so many have fought and died for.

Countless men and women demonstrated, protested, sacrificed, and bled for their basic entitlement of equality, but during African-American History Month we appear to only distinguish or reflect on a select few. We recognize the same heroes and heroines over and over again, yet there are some…

It amazes me how much focus there is on African American history in the months of January and February, with programs and events relating to Dr. Martin Luther King’s Holiday and African American History Month. It seems to be almost sacrilegious or disrespectful for some descendants of slaves…

The 40th Annual Bayou Classic football game between Southern University and Grambling State Universitywas played on Saturday, November 30 at The Superdome in New Orleans. One of the major attractions was the Battle of the Bands. I watched the competition and one thing that stood out really d…