Author: Reggie Jackson

“History, as nearly no one seems to know, is not merely something to be read. And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do. It could scarcely be otherwise, since it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations.” — James Baldwin, “White Man’s Guilt” (Ebony, 1965) I took a short ride recently...

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are...

I have been trying really hard to find MAGA folks who actually tell us what time in American history they want to turn the clocks back to. Knowing American history pretty well, I have a guess. But I doubt the MAGAs will see that time through an honest lens. The post-WWII years were when America’s economy grew at its fastest pace ever. Good jobs were abundant, home ownership became the norm, and American prosperity seemed guaranteed. However, times were certainly not good for everyone then. For the majority of MAGA folks I see, who seem to be mostly White,...

“There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, ‘When will you be satisfied?’ We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.” – MLK’s “I Have a Dream” Speech (August 28, 1963) The latest police “snuff film” was released on January 27 by the Memphis Police Department. Five officers viciously beat to death 29-year-old Tyre Nichols on January 10. Memphis police delivered at least two kicks, two baton strikes and five punches to Tyre Nichols’s face, the videos show. It is just the latest in...

I had a stroke one day during the second week of November. Fortunately, my wife noticed the symptoms and forced me to go to the ER. I spent two days in ICU and one additional day in a regular unit. The stroke was “mild” and taught me a valuable lesson. The situation showed me that I need to be more cognizant of my day-to-day health and fitness. I am sure there are many other people who can learn from my experience. A good friend, John Comer, gave me some great advice not long after the stroke. He said “we...