OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL
Justice and Equity for All, including Black Americans
The long-fought battle for justice and equity for Black Americans is beginning to bear fruit, it appears. Last year, when George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white Minnesota police officer, there was little faith in a judicial system that most often let police officers off the hook for the murder of Black men and boys, and Black women, as well. But hope reigns, although the writing on the wall assured many that Floyd’s murderer would not be held accountable. Surprisingly, Officer Derek Chauvin was found civilly liable and later criminally guilty. A 12-member jury of six Whites, four Blacks, and two multi-racial people convicted him on three counts of second and third-degree murder for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed a portion of 16th Street, N.W., one of the most wellknown streets in America, Black Lives Matter Plaza. The bright yellow street name painted on a street where Black Lives Matter protestors continue to gather and issue their demands leads directly to the White House. Last November, American voters put Kamala Harris there alongside President Joe Biden, electing her as the first Black and first woman vice president of the U.S., one of the most powerful positions in the world. Standing in the footsteps of Ida B. Wells, George Frazier, and Aretha Franklin is 18-year old Darnella Frazier, the teenager that documented George Floyd’s death by filming the horrific event on her cell phone camera. Frazier was recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for her courageous act that led to Chauvin’s conviction. She is the first individual to receive the honor as a citizen journalist. This week, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to establish June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, commemorating the end of slavery in America. Next, the bill will go to the House of Representatives for a vote and then to President Joe Biden for his signature, declaring the bill a law. These are but a few examples over the past year of the seismic racial shift happening in the U.S. Still, the fight for justice and equity for Black Americans continues, and hope will never end. WI
As America Mourns the Death of 600,000 to COVID-19, Slow and Steady is the Best Strategy Let the party begin – at least that’s what everyone seems to be saying these days. That’s because most cities, counties and states across the U.S. have either relaxed or completely lifted COVID-19 restrictions after the numbers of infections and deaths have thankfully and significantly fallen. But before we go overboard, let us remember that the U.S. recently acknowledged the somber news that more than 600, 000 men, women and children have died due to the coronavirus. And infections and deaths continue each day, albeit at much lower numbers than America was recording over a year ago. Consider that the number of deaths, 600,000, equals the yearly death rate for cancer in the U.S. That puts COVID-19 at the top of the list of causes of death in the U.S. In the District, the D.C. Council has given Mayor Bowser the authority to either extend the state of emergency through July 25, or lift it now. She has chosen to invite other Americans to D.C. for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities. Of course, she has asked participants to wear masks, follow social distance protocols and urged everyone to be sure they’re vaccinated. In the Commonwealth, Virginia Governor Northam will allow the state of emergency order to end at the end of June. Meanwhile, in Maryland, while the official end of the state of emergency is July 11, Governor Hogan has said he has no plans to extend that date. These dates change from day to day, but in all cases, it’s apparent that our leaders believe we have rounded the curve and weathered the storm. Still, variants of the virus, most notably the delta variant, have health officials concerned and with good reason. In the United Kingdom for example, leaders have delayed reopening plans because infection rates are once again climbing. Sure, we want to get out and about. Everyone’s tired of being housebound. But this must be done carefully and with the best science we can muster guiding us. As the great Aesop once wrote, “slow and steady wins the race.” WI
TO THE EDITOR Black Excellence
Holding Serve
I just wanted to commend The Washington Informer for the great works it has done over the past 50-plus years as a Black business in the District. You all should be extremely proud of producing a great newspaper week after week for all these years. Signed, a loyal reader.
Kudos to Naomi Osaka for speaking up for herself against the international tennis institution that continues to act as if they’re doing our athletes a favor instead of acknowledging them as hardworking professionals. May she set the tone for the next generation!
Ina Haggard Washington, D.C.
Leonard Phillips Washington, D.C.
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The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. JUNE 17 - 23, 2021 29
