Getting There – by Michael Morse

RINewsToday

by Michael Morse, contributing writer I remember going into the projects; a big white guy from the suburbs surrounded by big Black guys from the city. I could sense the simmering resentment from the crowd, and saw contempt on their faces. Hearing the hate in their voices when they shouted “hurry up” was difficult to…

Read More

Cranston passes resolution…

RINewsToday

Cranston City Council Passes Resolution on Racism as a Public Health Issue On Monday, October 5th, the Cranston City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring racism as a public health issue in Cranston. The resolution was introduced by Councilmembers John Donegan and Aniece Germain, and resolving to work towards the elimination of racial disparities and…

Read More

Veteran’s mural sparks educable moments at URI. Or not…

RINewsToday

by Nancy Thomas “We find that it is not a new scene which is needed, but a new viewpoint.” – Normal Rockwell Racial equity issues have us looking at everything with fresh eyes. We look at the words we use, the colloquial phrases that are part of some of our languages, perhaps ingrained over generations.…

Read More

What’s in a name? A lot if you are Brown University

RINewsToday

Photo: Brown University gates “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.” – Shakespeare Brown University has announced a name change, reflective of racial sensitivity. Calling it a “clerical adjustment to address a state government affiliation historically appended to the University’s name”, Brown University will…

Read More

Deconstruction…. by Michael Morse

RINewsToday

By Michael Morse, contributing opinion writer On the first day a police officer killed a man, and riots began. The left cheered. On the second day, fingers were pointed, and demands to defund the police were made. The left led the way. On the third day, buildings burned, glass was shattered and chaos ruled. The…

Read More

On the Road to Freedom – Black History Matters

RINewsToday

(Editor’s Note: Black History Matters is the second of several articles from different perspectives on Black history planned by RINewsToday – we thank Robb Dimmick and Ray Rickman for allowing this publication.) Some time back we came upon this exciting Roadside Guide. There isn’t a more appropriate time to print this for all Rhode Islanders…

Read More

In the Arena. Joe Paolino, Jr. talks with Jim Vincent, NAACP

RINewsToday

Each week Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews people of interest on his program, “In The Arena”.  The show airs at 7am on Sundays on ABC6. Jim Vincent, CEO of the NAACP, Providence Branch, is Paolino’s guest. Here is “In The Arena” – remotely – for May 10, 2020:

Read More

Just one wish, today…by Michael Morse

RINewsToday

By Michael Morse We reached for the last package of chicken thighs, neither of us aware of the other until our hands almost touched. We both pulled back, then made eye contact. I smiled but she didn’t know, half my face covered as it was. She may have smiled, may have frowned, I don’t know.…

Read More

“Yes, something very wrong is going on here” – by Michael Morse

RINewsToday

So, I was thinking about the Providence Firefighter who prepared a speech for the Black Lives Matter rally and told his story for the local news. Then I was thinking about my former union’s president releasing a press release in support of that firefighter. Having stared down the barrel of a police officer’s gun not once,…

Read More

Resources for Anti-Racism from Stages of Freedom

RINewsToday

by Ray Rickman, Stages of Freedom The national movement protesting systemic racism and police brutality has demonstrated the urgency to address deeply rooted problems that activists have been calling out for decades; to engage with difficult history and an uncertain future; and to act with compassion, empathy, and willingness to change. Naming these needs is…

Read More