By: James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
“Can’t find no work, can’t find no job, my friend. Money is tighter than it’s ever been. Say man, I just don’t understand what’s going on across this land. What’s happening brother.”
Marvin Gaye sang “what’s going on” in 1971. The lyrics above are as applicable this year as they were many years ago.
We are in an economic tussle. This unpredictability is causing some of us to stop spontaneous shopping. No longer can we go on these random shopping sprees.
If you are a man, you must leave the suits on the rack. If you are a woman, you must leave the jewelry in the case. Sometimes, going without is the wise and prudent thing to do.
Loss of jobs, colleges losing funding and rising prices are putting us in a perilous position. It is my opinion that we are suffering mightily right now.
Our nation is at the precipice of being socially corrupt and financially bankrupt. We are losing our wits, and the current climate is chaotic.
Being in the fourth quarter of my life has given me an up-close view of what is happening in our great country. Egos and quasi-dictatorships have replaced shared governance and democracy.
For some months now, we have been in an uproar and upheaval. Being bullied has become the new rule of law.
The judicial branch of the nation is being called into question by both Democrats and Republicans. The executive branch of the government has overwhelmed us like a never-ending snowstorm with tariffs and executive orders.
Verdicts don’t matter anymore. At this point, we have gotten saturated with appeals, pardons and get out of jail free cards. These are my opinions.
Are all the people in jail guilty of a crime? Of course not, but there are some people who deserve to be in jail. We know who some of those folks are.
Does the new presidential officeholder have a thing against Harvard University? Recent developments suggest that he does. So far, the current administration has withheld approximately $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts.
Harvard University president, Alan Garber said, “Why cut off research funding? Sure it hurts Harvard, but it hurts the country because after all, the research funding is not a gift. These dollars are awarded to efforts deemed high-priority work by the federal government.”
Everywhere you go, you hear comments about the direction of this nation. Those on both sides of the aisle say we are misled and misguided.
For example, one of the nation’s largest retailers increased their prices. The head of the company gave the American people a heads-up. When the new Washington DC group got wind of it, they weren’t pleased.
Another company which was quick to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion programs is now paying the price for that decision.
That company, Target has experienced billions of dollars lost to their bottom line. People who look like me and others that don’t are spending their money elsewhere.
Pastor Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Church in Georgia said, “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target. If we withhold our dollars, we can make a statement that can’t be ignored.”
The National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO, Benjamin Chavis said, “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant and now they are making their voices heard.”
Recently, the House passed the new president’s spending bill, however it has not been approved by the Senate. Some in the Senate want deeper spending cuts.
Cuts to food programs for children and the elderly are on this bill. Those in power want those without voices to go without food. Contact your elected leaders to let them know how wrong this is.
America has been characterized as having lost its way. Something must change. It can’t go on this way.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. Ed.D. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
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