Posts by Delaney Novak
Trained in Rites of Passage, Now They’re Training Black Male Youth
The Baltimore Rites of Passage Initiative (BROPI) is a multigenerational mentorship program which empowers Black men to embrace positive masculinity. BROPI has trained 16 Black men to become mentors to Black youth. The group will teach mentees about Black history, mental health, anger management, and alternatives to violence, among other things.
Read MoreHow ‘Medical Gaslighting’ Ignores Black Women With Long COVID
Dr. Margot Gage Witvliet, PhD, developed Long COVID in 2020, facing medical gaslighting and discovering shared experiences in dozens of women & BIPOC. Dr. Gage Witvliet learned that medical gaslighting is an insidious phenomenon which disproportionately impacts women and BIPOC. Medical professionals frequently tell female patients with Long COVID and other invisible illnesses that their symptoms are “all in their heads” while treating male counterparts with contrasting, scientifically sound approaches.
Read MoreA Detroit-Area Officer Who Punched Jaquwan Smith After an Arrest Pleads Guilty
Detroit-area police officer, Matthew Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation for punching Jaquwan Smith without cause in June 2023. Rodriguez said Smith, the Black 19-year-old, was not resisting arrest nor attempting escape.
Read MoreBlack Coaches Lost Everything After FBI College Hoops Case That Wrecked Careers, Then Fizzled
Ex-NCAA basketball coach, Book Richardson, discusses his role in illegal player payments and the disproportionate fallout for Black coaches. Richardson served 90 days in jail as a result of the FBI’s 2017 crackdown on off-the-book player payments. Richardson, formerly a University of Arizona men’s basketball assistant coach, and other Black assistant coaches took the brunt of punishments from both the federal government and the NCAA.
Read MoreHigh Rates of Suicide Among Young Black Men In Rural Areas: Study Reveals Systemic Failure
A new study, conducted by the University of Georgia researchers, finds young Black men in rural areas are dying by suicide at alarming rates. The study showed the suicides and suicidal ideations in this population are linked to growing up in low-resource environments and experiencing racial discrimination throughout adolescence.
Read MoreWhy Black Moms and Babies Are Dying So Often In Louisiana
Louisiana has banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with few exceptions. The state’s maternal mortality rate disproportionately impacts Black women. Additionally, Louisiana has both the 5th highest Black population and the 5th highest infant mortality rate in the United States.
Read MoreMichigan Redistricting: Court Finds New Detroit Maps Better for Black Voters
New Detroit-area state House district maps adhere more closely to county boundaries while increasing the number of majority-Black districts. The redistricting is fairer to Black voters and decreases racial gerrymandering. Six additional state Senate districts will be altered later this spring.
Read MoreAs Black Mayor Handles Bridge Tragedy, Racists Blow Dog Whistle
After the collapse of the Francis Scott Bridge on March 26, 2024, Mayor Brandon Scott’s response received a slew of racist comments online. Mayor Scott’s discussion with members of the media about the tragedy elicited an outpouring of hate speech from white supremacists on social media sites such as “X,” formerly known as “Twitter.”
Read MoreA Historic Revolt, a Forgotten Hero, an Empty Plinth: Is There a Right Way to Remember Slavery?
Vincent Brown, historian, discusses his book documenting Tacky’s revolt in Jamaica, as well as Black X, reggae, and the Atlantic slave trade. He shares his thoughts on the campaign to make Chief Takyi, or “Tacky,” a Jamaican national hero and explores the problem of placing a singular focus on one man despite the collective efforts of a community of people in the fight for freedom.
Read MoreBlack Teachers Help Keep Black Boys Out of Special Education
A new study finds Black male elementary students assigned Black teachers are less likely to be recommended for special education services. The joint team of University of North Carolina and University of California-Davis researchers showed Black male students have a lower likelihood of being misidentified with disabilities or disciplinary problems when paired with Black teachers.
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