BMORENEWS.com

(RANDALLSTOWN – March 8, 2008) – First of all, let me take a moment and thank each and every person out there who has supported the efforts of www.BMORENEWS.com. Whether it was buying an ad, sending a “heads-up” about an all-important event – such as the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the new William C. March Middle School in the heart of East Baltimore (Congrats to the March Family, including Cynthia, Victor, Eric, and Annette), or saying a kind word about our work – we appreciate it all. Thank you!

Secondly, I’d like to take the time to welcome our latest correspondent, Bobby Marvin. Additionally, we announced our new editor earlier this week on our WOLB 1010 AM News Talk radio show (Tuesdays @ 10 am). His name is Ron Kipling Williams. Both of these gentlemen come highly recommended and we feel their work is critical to accomplishing our larger goal of educating, informing, and inspiring the masses. We are confident that Mr. Marvin and Mr. Williams will continue to be assets in our community.

Thirdly, special thanks to the Baltimore Times newspapers and publisher Joy Bramble for working collaboratively with BMORENEWS. Together, we have brought important information back home so that readers of both media outlets have good, current info about the 90-day Maryland General Assembly session in Annapolis. Each year, legislators attack some 2,300 bills. And, while there are a lot of politics at play in such a format, all should know that this is where key decisions are made each year about the 24 jurisdictions around Maryland. Hence, make concerns known by calling your state delegates and state senator (FYI, most every district in the state has three delegates and one state senator). The main number to Annapolis is 410.841.3000.

Over the past 5 weeks, BMORENEWS has also been heavily focused on the State of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), particularly black business. Along these lines, we have had several guests on our weekly radio show discussing the matter. I have also personally gone to Annapolis at the request of Montgomery County Delegate Herman Taylor to testify before the Health and Government Operations Committee as to the need for an MBE oversight commission. Clearly, I believe that in order to increase black participation in state contracts, there needs to be some prodding. Actually, a lot of prodding. If nothing changes, nothing changes. Black businesses across the state will only continue to get crumbs otherwise.

On this note, special acknowledgement to all of the men and women out there who make it their business to pay careful attention to the whole issue of MBE. For those of us out in the trenches, pushing MBE can seem pointless because the victories are too few and far between. However, be assured that we will not let up. Be not mistaken: We will continue to push our elected officials on all levels to the better facilitation of real opportunities for black businesses from Baltimore to Randallstown to Largo.

Segueing to the main point of this week’s column, “Big-ups” to Sen. Barack Obama! The very fact that just mention of his name sparks inspiration to so many men, women and children of all flavors across America is reason alone to spotlight this hero. Clearly, President George Bush has black America in a depression while sending money that could be used for public education and other important causes over to fight an illegal occupation in Iraq.

9-1-1: Public Schools

Yesterday, I was asked to speak to some middle schoolers in East Baltimore. This morning, I went to an MSP education workshop for students and parents at Deer Park Middle Magnet.

In both instances, I can safely state that too often, black men are not engaged in the education of our children.

I think it’s also safe to say that our children are in serious trouble. Public education, particularly in America’s urban centers, is so heavily challenged such that our beloved educators who rise every morning just to teach our children are too bombarded with behavioral issues. Too often, they cannot get to the matter of teaching because little Tony won’t act right.

Why? Somewhere along the line, I believe – and so do others – that a black man has failed to make a positive impression in hisor her mind. Little Jada is not learning because a black man, too often, has failed to be a part of her story. For a litany of reasons, the black family is broken. And if not broken, at least fractured.

For a host of reasons, the black family too often finds itself splintered.

Hell, family dinner is not common enough in black households. When truth be told, a strong family structure provides the best backdrop or foundation for our children’s future growth and development. However, an important part of this equation, again, is the presence - or lack thereof - of the black man. Too often in the black community, the sister is the one making things happen. Plain and simple: Black men must stand up! Get involved in the education process in some kind of way, no matter what. Do something because our children are too often floundering and missing the mark bcause they are without the inspiration that only a black man can give.

Everybody is disaffected when our children are not learning like they can and should. Black men, in short, have to be a part of the solution.

In conclusion, beginning Tuesday, March 18, 2008, we will be focusing our weekly radio show on the State of Emergency in Public Education. We promise to bring you some key people who can provide some insight on how we can best assist our children in becoming all they can be.

After all, the children are our future. And I don’t know about you, but I say we need some people to pay into the Social Security system so the prayerful days of retirement can come with a check.

‘Til next time, be up – be smart – be more!