As summer slips into fall and the sound of the cicadas provide us with a nightly symphony, I am reminded of the simplicity of nature and how it has a way of gently reminding us that despite what we think,…
The Lion’s Den
The Lion’s Den | Voting Rights
by Community Word Staff • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Voting Rights
All eyes are on the United States as we approach the next presidential election on Nov. 3. As we approach the election, now may be a good time to review the history of voting in this country. Initial voting rights…
The Lion’s Den | It Continues to Play In Peoria
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | It Continues to Play In Peoria
The City of Peoria became the center of attention in a recent New York Times article titled “The City that Once Guided a Nation Now Shows its Cracks.” The article focused on the looting that took place in the City…
The Lion’s Den | The Cliff
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | The Cliff
Eight minutes and 46 seconds was the time it took for Dereck Chauvin and his fellow officers to murder George Floyd. But it has been 401 years since Africans were kidnapped and brought to this country as slaves. From 1619…
The Lion’s Den | Let’s Examine the Wounds
by Community Word Staff • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Let’s Examine the Wounds
I will admit that it has been somewhat of a challenge to write during this worldwide pandemic. As we continue to adapt to what ultimately may become the new normal, simple survival has taken precedence over most things. Our daily…
The Lion’s Den | To Play Ball, or Not to Play Ball: That is the Question
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | To Play Ball, or Not to Play Ball: That is the Question
As I write this article, I am reminded of a conversation I once had with my wife. The question that I posed to her was this: “Can you imagine a world without sports?” She laughed and said, “No.” Well, here…
The Lion’s Den | Sticks and stones
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Sticks and stones
Everyone remembers the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” When scrutinized, this phrase is a thought process that is used as a defense mechanism to fend off insults and verbal barbs that…
The Lion’s Den | I Am Not My Hair
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | I Am Not My Hair
The California-based legislation, The Crown (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, SB-188, is designed to prevent discrimination toward African Americans based on their hair. This law is housed under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and…
The Lion’s Den | Part II African American Education: Post Civil War
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Part II African American Education: Post Civil War
Following the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, America faced many challenges, including the significant loss of free labor and a social stratification system thrown into turmoil. Primary among these challenges was how to address the…
The Lion’s Den | Part I: African American Education: During Slavery
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Part I: African American Education: During Slavery
This article is the first in a series that exams the African American experience with America’s education system. Part one will examine the education of Blacks during the times of slavery. Education for African Americans during slavery was mainly illegal.…