by James H. Buford

Black-on-Black crime is often seen but rarely do we do anything about it. This year the St. Louis area is already on track to have an increased crime rate due to homicide, youth and domestic violence. I believe that now is the time for our communities to take a stand and say enough is enough, rather than sitting on the sidelines talking about the violence.

During the early Civil Rights Movement, Black-on-Black crime was not a major problem because African-Americans had one common enemy: racism. Today, the enemy is within our own communities as minority youths steal, kill and destroy one another for money, drugs or power.

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.”

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.