I applaud BlackCommentator on their 10th anniversary. I have been privileged to have been on the BC team for more half of that time. As someone intimately familiar with all-volunteers efforts, I know the many sustainability challenges an organization can face.  BC has showcased respected writers and thinkers of the social justice movements who bring a variety of thoughtful and provocative viewpoints to our readers. And speaking of readers, your loyalty and financial support has been absolutely critical in getting us to this point. You can make it a special birthday with a donation to BlackCommentator. We still have some more milestones to mark. Thanks for your continued support.

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board member, Jamala Rogers, is the leader of the Organization for Black Struggle in St. Louis and the Black Radical Congress National Organizer. Additionally, she is an Alston-Bannerman Fellow. She is the author of The Best of the Way I See It – A Chronicle of Struggle. Click here to contact Ms. Rogers.

-0-

The Black Commentator is now ten years old.

It has been, and continues to be, a special treat writing for The Black Commentator, and occasionally communicating with some of the readers of my 'Keeping It Real' column.

The Black Commentator, or simply BC, as we fondly call it, has served to stir the pot for critical thought and analysis for a decade now.  More than ever, BC is needed. I am especially grateful to our readers for your support and loyalty throughout these years. So, to our readership, our writers, and BC's publishing staff that have tirelessly ensured that BC comes out every week I say, THANK YOU very, very much!

Happy Birthday BC!!!

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil / political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS News Hour, formerly known as The MacNeil / Lehrer News Hour. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book.) Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.

-0-

Congratulations and a pat-on-the-back are in-order for the folks who bring Black Commentator to life every week, their ability and desire to keep-on-keepin’-on is a testament to their character, skills and blind determination. There must be, must be outlets and platforms available for people to articulate the ills, woes of Black folk.

I know first-hand there’s a burning need for Black folks to have the ability to go to publications where they know the writer’s words were not “sliced n’ diced” if not deliberately butchered by editors who are unsympathetic and non-empathetic to the perilous-plight of Black people, if not perhaps outright hostile and indifferent instead.

In order to insure such a critical duty as amplifying the concerns and interest of  Black people continues to operate, and since all the “money trees” were cut down years ago, and all the magic elves either make toys or cookies . . . please find it necessary to assist Black Commentator by financially contributing to their efforts. Your money will help this little light continue to shine.

Thank You

BlackCommentator.com Columnist, Desi Cortez, was hatched in the heart of Dixie, circa 1961, at the dawning of the age of Aquarius, the by-product of four dynamic individuals, Raised in South-Central LA, the 213, at age 14 transplanted to the base of the Rockies, Denver. Still a Mile-Hi. Sat at the feet of scholars for many, many moons, emerging with a desire and direction… if not a sheep-skin. Meandered thru life; gone a-lot places, done a-lot of things, raised a man-cub into a good, strong man, produced a beautiful baby-girl with my lover/woman/soul-mate… aired my mind on the airwaves and wrote some stuff along the way. Click here to contact Mr. Cortez.