Memories, precautions and rituals necessary to travel by Martha R. Bireda Traveling as a colored child has been my greatest adventure while also experiencing unlimited inconveniences. The colored travel experience during Jim Crow could involve ... frustration, indignities, and even danger. Each summer, as my grandmother Martha traveled “up North”, taking myself and my cousin Skippy, she prepared for the experience. “Granny,” as we affectionately called her, would hire

Which Way Will It Go? by Martha R. Bireda Two events in the 21st century invigorated racial politics in the United States. First, the election of Barack Obama as the first black president was believed

Return to American Apartheid? by Martha R. Bireda When Americans who shout, “I want my country back," to what country and what era are they referring? If they mean the United States of 50 years

What Americans Don’t Know about the Cuban People by Martha R. Bireda When the death of Fidel Castro Ruiz was announced by his brother Raul, U.S. newspapers proclaimed that a “brutal dictator” was dead

Cubas” by Martha R. Bireda Cuba is an exceedingly beautiful island blessed with lush forests, pristine beaches, sapphire seas, and sunny tropical weather. It is a tourist's paradise. It is an island that

Guarantee of Human Rights by Martha R. Bireda The concept of rights is a complex proposition. The term right itself is controversial and there is disagreement about what should be included in the framework

different meanings of “minority” in the United States by Martha R. Bireda President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries immediately ignited protests across the United States. Thousands gathered

create immigrants and refugees by Martha R. Bireda In some instances, the powerful hand of Mother Nature in the form of drought, flood, earthquake, forest fire and blight forces groups of people from their homes

Question of Values? by Martha R. Bireda The failure of the Republicans to repeal Obamacare with the Ryancare Bill and to create a viable alternative provides an opportunity for Americans to seriously reflect upon

History of Discrimination and Exclusion by Martha R. Bireda It should not be a mystery or come as a surprise to anyone with a faint knowledge of factual United States history as to why Mexicans

Myth of Whiteness by Martha R. Bireda The intensity of individuals whose identity, esteem, and sense of self is built upon the “myth of whiteness” is reaching psychotic levels in the United States. Recently

Might Be Surprised by Martha R. Bireda The Trump presidency appeared to be teetering on the brink of disaster at the end of his first six months in office. President Trump’s approval rating

Mythical Black Male by Martha R. Bireda The most vicious, pervasive and enduring stereotypes of African Americans are attributed to African American men. They are feared as the “Brute,” vicious criminal, violent, more animal-like

Propagandizing Race by Martha R. Bireda The black image in the collective white American mind is the product of anti-Negro propaganda from the late 19th century that has continued into the early 21st century

Black Athletes by Martha R. Bireda The uproar surrounding professional athletes not standing for the National Anthem is a perfectly connived sham. This charade attempts to divert attention from the two main issues that

Race Consciousness Evolution by Martha R. Bireda “Good white folks” was a term used by African Americans in the South to refer to whites who treated them with humanity, dignity, mutual respect and friendship

Robbed of Childhood Innocence by Martha R. Bireda In September, 2017, in a Southwest Florida town, a 12-year-old black boy was called "N" by a 27-year-old white man, then punched

Separation of Children and Families by Martha R. Bireda The current policy of separating children from parents seeking the asylum in the United States has caused a moral and political uproar in America. Protests, marches

people leave their homelands enmasse? by Martha R. Bireda Why do people leave their homelands enmasse? Why does a steady stream of immigrants continue to attempt to cross the southern border of the United States

what you think by Martha R. Bireda The images of the weeping Angelica Rebeca Gonzalez-Garcia, the Guatemalan mother being united with her daughter, was heart-wrenching. All who watched this reunion surely shed tears

story of the Black Legion, a white supremacist militia by Martha R. Bireda The ominous sense of fear and anxiety that spread through the United States during the 1930s appears to be reoccurring today. Understandably

After the Squirrel Hill Massacre in Pittsburgh by Martha R. Bireda America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown they good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea. Three days after the Squirrel

Active Shooter Event Reference Guide by Martha R. Bireda In government offices across the nation can be found an “Active Shooter Event Reference Guide.” This helpful pamphlet is courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland

wish list of transformative actions for America by Martha R. Bireda When twenty-eight-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an avowed Democratic Socialist, in July defeated 10-term Democratic congressman Joe Crowley

Will African Americans ever be able to choose their own heroes? by Martha R. Bireda The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of expression and to right to peaceably assemble

America experiencing class warfare? by Martha R. Bireda Class oppression is as pervasive and deep a cultural phenomenon as racism in American society. The 2016 election of Donald Trump as President widened the class chasm

long will the myth of white supremacy bind white Americans? by Martha R. Bireda Most of America’s wars have been fought by those without the money or power to avoid military service. The Civil

multiracial class-based alliance could succeed? by Martha R. Bireda Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is an American hero whose non-violent philosophy and efforts related to civil rights challenged and changed the social foundation

Desperately needed during what apparently must be very frightening times for them by Martha R. Bireda Trump’s tweet calling on the four Democratic congresswomen of color to go back to their “broken and crime

Black and White by Martha R. Bireda On a Tuesday morning in a local African American community, cars line the streets. This group of “food insecure” (being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable

most effective attack for Republicans to retain the presidency by Martha R. Bireda During the second debate among Democratic candidates for president, former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper took issue with presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders openly

true history of America by Martha R. Bireda The young German guide’s eyes beamed and a broad smile covered his face as he described how the student movement in West Germany during the 1960s

very hot topic in American politics by Martha R. Bireda Several Democratic contenders for the 2020 presidential nomination have come out in favor of reparations for Native Americans and African Americans in one form

Probably the most exceptional in American history by Martha R. Bireda What to the slave is the Fourth of July? I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between

that the condition of some of its citizens mimics that of a Third World country? by Martha R. Bireda The two friends, one African American and the other Irish American, both over 70, follow

tool for the maintenance of classism by Martha R. Bireda America proclaims itself to be the land of ultimate freedom and opportunity. The ability to rise above one’s condition of birth, not inhibited

Will we as a nation remain submerged in the racism that characterized 1920 America? by Martha R. Bireda There are amazing and almost eerie parallels between where America finds itself in 2020 and where

African American veterans remembered and honored in the same way as other veterans? by Martha R. Bireda We return. We return from fighting. We return fighting. (W.E.B. Dubois) Veteran’s Day, November

unity and humanity will determine if the reality of America will match its stated ideals by Martha R. Bireda It is Friday afternoon, November 6, 2020, in Philadelphia. A huge block party is taking place

consistent and persistent theme in American society by Martha R. Bireda A bewildered America watched in shock and disbelief as her Capitol was stormed by a violent mob on the afternoon of January

that brought perfect sight to the reality of racism in the United States and abroad by Martha R. Bireda The term “20/20” is used to express the clarity or sharpness of vision; 20/20 vision denotes

must enter into a time of reflection by Martha R. Bireda It has been a year since the Covid-19 virus interrupted and changed our lives forever. The virus attacked not only our bodies

time for self-examination and reflection by Martha R. Bireda In the Christian tradition and calendar, Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter, the time when Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s withdrawal into

fear of teaching true American history? by Martha R. Bireda The “racial reckoning” that is now occurring in the nation, especially as a result of the public murder of George Floyd, has race and racism

fear of teaching true American history? by Martha R. Bireda As we get closer to the opening of schools for the 2021-2022 academic year, it is more important than ever to be sure that

fear of teaching true American history? by Martha R. Bireda The fear of teaching accurate American history and having honest discussions about race have seized many white parents across the nation. The mechanism employed

Courage or cowardice by Martha R. Bireda On Friday, October 8, 2021, President Joe Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The second Monday of October, long celebrated as Columbus

spread of misinformation is spreading across the land by Martha R. Bireda An outpouring of concern by many Americans related to the spread of misinformation is spreading across the land. Way too many believe social

choice point of choosing: humanity and morality over hatred and greed by Martha R. Bireda It has been reported that a Texas school district administrator told teachers in a training session that if they have

Americans to recognize the crucial need to treat and act more “human” to each other by Martha R. Bireda Between the Covid-19 pandemic, racist actions, and the beginning of the racial reckoning, we thought

minorities would make up more than 50 percent of the American population by Martha R. Bireda White Supremacy ideology is based upon the mythology that those designated and perceived as “white” in America are inherently

bill that will limit discussions teachers and businesses can have about race by Martha R. Bireda The Florida Republican-dominated State Legislature most recently passed a bill that will limit discussions teachers and businesses

impact on society by Martha R. Bireda Major symptoms of narcissist personality disorder are the need to control/dominate others and feel a sense of superiority. When a group of people fears what they term

power to not give up their womb by Martha R. Bireda The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade is an example of the persistent denial of the reproductive choices of black

does the anti-abortion movement fit into the white supremacy ideology? by Martha R. Bireda The June 24, 2022, Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade (1973), is intimately tied to the fears and needs

Democractic and ideological values at stake by Martha R. Bireda Two critical factors undergird the controversy around the 2020 Presidential election, the insurrection on January 6, 2022, and the coming elections of November

individual freedom or self-serving behavior? by Martha R. Bireda A bedrock of American society is individual freedom, the right of individualism, to work hard and expect the rewards of our labor; to pull oneself

What does it mean? by Martha R. Bireda Weeks after the Tennessee legislature banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Tennessee schools, Governor Bill Lee called for Tennessee students to be taught “unapologetic” American

Incomprehensible, inconceivable and unimaginable issues of the United States by Martha R. Bireda The word “exceptionality” has several words related to it, i.e., incomprehensible, inconceivable, and unimaginable to name a few. As one looks

Reflections of a colored girl by Martha R. Bireda I never intended to write about race, but the land of my birth could not have thrived without racial designations and a racial caste system. Race