All elections are important but the May 18 primary election is exceptionally significant because the governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate races and two critical state representative seats are up for grabs.

Battling for the right to represent the Democratic Party in the U.S. Senate race are Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter. Both have impressive records and would make outstanding senators but we lean toward Specter because over the years when it wasn’t popular to do so in the GOP, he has proven to be a friend to the African-American community. He has, time after time, stood up for causes and offered solutions to some of the many problems facing the Black community. Sestak will have his day, but now is the time for us to support the man who has supported us so many times when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. We endorse Sen. Arlen Specter.

(NNPA)—At the invitation of Michael McMillan, I traveled to St. Louis last week to address the annual Salute to Women Leadership awards luncheon. For seven years, McMillan has been sponsoring this extravagant event. The fact that a man would sponsor it and have the temerity to invite another man to serve as the event’s keynote speaker makes a significant public statement: It’s fine for women to honor one another, but it’s equally important that males honor and respect women.

In 1952, I became a registered voter and have voted in each and every election since. Prior to my being eligible to vote, I had recognized the overwhelming importance and significance of being a sophisticated voter. Over the years we have too frequently voted against our own best interests by not taking time to analyze our candidates.

In every election the phrase is repeated that this election may be the most important in history, and I will repeat it again, “The election this year will be the most important election in the history of Pennsylvania.”

Last week, Americans of all nationalities celebrated Cinco de Mayo; some, like me, acknowledged the day by enjoying margaritas and carne asada.

Others, like the Mexican students at Live Oak High School in Northern California, observe the day by wearing the Mexican colors of red, white and green. In a gesture meant to display American pride, five Live Oak students—Daniel Galli, Austin Carvalho, Matt Dariano, Dominic Maciel, and Clayton Howard—decided to wear American flag T-shirts and bandannas. After receiving complaints from some Mexican students, Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez asked the boys to turn their shirts inside out. The boys refused, were threatened with suspension, and asked to leave the campus.