People in Baltimore are organizing to stop foreclosures and evictions! More than symbolic gestures (which certainly has its place); I am more excited to see the development of this kind of direct organizing and activism in Baltimore. There is real potential here to raise the profile of the predatory practices of banks in Baltimore...
“I think I have some sense of what neighborhoods in Baltimore are like and what they need.”-M.J. “Jay” Brodie, President, Baltimore Development Corporation “I think I have some sense of what neighborhoods in Baltimore are like and what they need.” That was, in part, M.J. Brodie’s response to my critique of his agency’s impact...
I was already a bit on the fence about my primary bank which was Wachovia. Though I had been with the bank for some years, I began to give Wachovia the side eye when I learned about 8 years ago that it had history wrapped up in the enslavement and sale of my Ancestors....
If all goes as planned. Today – October, 4, 2011 – will be a day that is remembered and perhaps even recorded in the “People’s History of Baltimore City.” For the past couple of years a committed group of activists have been challenging Maryland state plans to build a multi-million dollar youth jail in...
The Jesus movement included everyone from tax collectors to sex workers; it truly was a movement of diversity. In today’s world, I am encouraged to see a movement of Christians who want to “preach good news to the poor.” But all too often, well-meaning progressive Christians from privileged backgrounds attempt to speak for or...
While I didn’t do much at all for Black Friday this year, last year was a totally different story. I hinted at my desire to do something in a “Black Friday” post last year and later that week I settled on the specifics of the creative protest while sharing a meal with family. Some...
As I continue exploring alternative ways of being in this world, I’m excited by people and groups who have moved past theoretical olympics or revolutionary diatribes against what is and into practical applications of what can be. I’m less concerned if these practitioners are perfect in the execution of their ideas. I’m more focused...
Last week I attended an urban agriculture conference organized by Engaged Community Offshoots, Inc. (ECO) and hosted at the United States Department of Agriculture. ECO is an organization which “seeks to reverse the effects of systemic poverty, racism, and environmental destruction through establishing and promoting social venture community-based businesses.” My friends at Baltimore Food...
I was actually on the ground in Palestine/Israel when the Israeli Military attacked the Freedom Flotilla which was making its way to the Gaza Strip to deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million Palestinians sufferings under the Israeli Blockade. In the days following the attack, thousands of Palestinians, Israelis, and Internationals...
Today was an extremely full day that started bright and early at 8AM. Well, for me the day started at 5:00AM. After going to bed at about 11PM the night before, I found myself lying in bed staring at the ceiling at 5. I tried to force myself back to sleep, but I couldn’t...
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