The Todd B. Waldo Collection

The journey

2009-01-20T14:13:00.002-05:00

From captives fueling the economy of the new world
    to enduring servants hoping for a brighter tomorrow
From displaced, disenfranchised, three-fifths piece of property
    to emancipated second-class free men and women
From under the hand of reconstruction and Jim Crow
    to lifting the hand to enlisted in the protest
From sitting and marching and demanding
    to believing in and receiving the justice we deserved
From Fredrick and Booker and Martin and Malcom
    to momma and daddy and brother and sister
Our journey has been long and we’ve seen great success
    from the tears, pain and death we suffered
It is this journey that paved the way for this man to become the first

Blog Time-out

2008-08-06T09:16:00.002-04:00

A blog is all about content. And right now, my content production is low. Really low. So, for now, I'm going to simplify my 2.0 life and move my blogosphere contributions to Tumblr. So, you can still get to me easily by going to www.toddwaldo.com. But, this collection on blogspot is officially on pause.

Audio: Birthday reflections

2008-07-16T00:26:00.001-04:00

drop.io: simple private sharing

If you haven't been tested - get tested!

2008-06-27T14:51:00.004-04:00

If you have never had an HIV test, now is the perfect time to do it. Today is National HIV Testing day and there are many place around the area where you can get a FREE confidential test. Go to www.hivtest.org or wwww.virginiahivtesting.info to find a location near you.

Here are some statistics from the VA Department of Health:

Number of people in VA with HIV or AIDS: 19,171

Male 14,028 (73.17%); Female 5,143 (26.83%)

Black 11,896 (62.05%); White 5,918(30.87%); Hispanic 1,107(5.77%)

Living in ignorance can cost you and the person you love dearly. So, get tested!

Last game at Shea

2008-06-23T23:43:00.000-04:00

Our tickets have arrived! I've been going to games at Shea since I was a kid. This last time at the Queens' stadium with the family is going to be very special for me.

Audio: Engaging in this year's election process

2008-06-17T12:55:00.003-04:00

drop.io: simple private sharing

Only in our dreams

2008-06-05T09:09:00.004-04:00

I remember as a child going to a Sunday school class and participating in a fairly normal activity. We went around the room and told what we wanted to be when we grew up. The expected responses were shared - fireman, policeman, doctor, athlete - and then one shouted "I want to be president of the United States!". Even with our childhood innocence, we knew enough to dismiss this goal as crazy. This little Black girl looked nothing like President Reagan! How could she grow up and be president?!

Only in the dreams of little Black boys and girls was the opportunity to pursue the highest political office in this nation. Only in their dreams did a world exist where someone who looked like them could rise above every obstacle and break through every glass ceiling. Only in their dreams did men and women of all colors and backgrounds rally around a candidate and proclaim their support with their vote. Only in my dreams (and in a few tv shows and movies) did I see someone who looked like me in the oval office. We'll now I'm one step closer to having that dream turn into reality.

Barack Obama's ascension from Democratic candidate to nominee is an amazing American story. It should inspire all of us! It took hard work, dedication and the right support network for Barack to achieve this. The same thing is required of all us if we want to achieve. Whether it's learning how to read after spending years in a failing inner city school; or trying to find a job and rebuild a life while on parole; or working two jobs to get enough money to move you and your kids out of section 8; or healing from childhood pain so that you can overcome depression and addiction...

This November, we may elect the first non-white male as president. This will not mean that disparities across lines of race, class, gender and culture are abolished. But electing Barack will reinforce the truth - that we can do something about the disparities! We can work together to find and implement real solutions for these real problems and give real hope to those who suffer. That's what electing Barack means to me.

The story has not changed

2008-05-05T23:45:00.003-04:00

The story of disparity in our justice system has not changed in America and certainly not in Virginia.

Study: Black Virginians more likely to get prison for drugs

By FRANK GREEN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

In 2003 black adults in Virginia were 13.2 times more likely to be sent to prison on drug convictions than whites - eighth highest of 34 states studied in a report released today by Human Rights Watch.

An accompanying study by the Sentencing Project of 43 of the nation's largest cities found that from 1980 to 2003, the drug arrest rate for whites in Virginia Beach dropped 24 percent, but the black rate rose 729 percent during the same period.

In Virginia Beach, the likelihood of a black being arrested for drugs over a white increased in Virginia Beach during that period by a factor of more than 10 - the highest among the cities examined, the study found.

Human Rights Watch said the disparities are pronounced even though there is no evidence that black Americans abuse or sell illegal drugs more than whites. It said the phenomenon is complex and did not accuse authorities of overt racism.

Jerry W. Kilgore, a former federal prosecutor, Virginia secretary of public safety and Virginia attorney general, said that particularly during the 1990s, authorities were faced with growing violent crime and gang problems in inner cities.

"Correctly, the law enforcement communities focused resources on the crime areas in an effort to better protect their citizens," he said.

Another former Virginia attorney general, Republican Mark L. Earley, now president of Prison Fellowship, said the disproportionate incarceration of minorities is, "an unfortunate state and national trend."

"Of the 2.3 million behind bars in the U.S., over 900,000 are African-Americans. As I visit prisons across the U.S. it presents a haunting visual image," said Earley. The problem, he agrees, is a complex one involving sentencing and policing policies.

According to the Virginia Department of Corrections, in the year that ended June 30, 2006, just under 22 percent of the men and women entering Virginia's prisons and 14 percent of those being held there had a drug crime as their most serious offense.

More than 62 percent of the states' 36,000 inmates that year were African-American, while African-Americans account for roughly 20 percent of the state's population.

You can read more about the study at the Sentencing Project's web site.

Distractions that may cost him too much

2008-04-29T23:13:00.004-04:00

I think all of this is getting out of hand with Senator Obama and Rev. Wright. I've watched Rev. Wright at the National Press Club and read the transcript. And watched Senator Obama's press conference as he responded to Rev. Wright's comments. This whole thing is a real distraction from the real issues in this election and I wish it would go away.

I thought Rev. Wright did a good job in the Bill Moyers interview and I thought that would be it for this thing. But with all of his other appearances, there is now much fuel for the media fires that will now burn all week. Senator Obama did a good job with his denunciation, but I don't think the fire will go out any time soon.

I really hope this does not hurt his campaign severely.

A peek into the mind of Black folk

2008-04-25T23:09:00.006-04:00

Tonight I watched Bill Moyers' interview with Jeremiah Wright. There will be much more said and written about the interview, but what I want to highlight is the opportunity that many have, by watching it and reading the show's blog, to peak into the minds of Black folk who have taken their faith coupled with their culture and allowed it to shape their world view. A view that looks at America's history and includes both the innovation and injustice. A view that highlights the freedoms of this nation and the inequities that still exists. A view that has hope but does not remove individual responsibility. I connected with Pastor Wright because he and I view the world through similar eyes.

Pastor Wright's hermeneutics; his stand on poverty and violence; his ministry to those with HIV and AIDS; his history of opposing apartheid; encouraging people to have actionable faith -- all of these connect with me and for many of us who have been converted. And what I mean by that word "converted" is that we've come to know the truth. We know that it is right for us to value and fight for justice. We know that it is right for us to speak up and take action. We know that it is right to use our experience, resources, gifts and education to help improve our neighborhoods, cities, states and even our nation. We know that it is right to keep our leaders accountable.

The experience of Black men and women in America is sometimes hard understand, if you have not lived it. And sometimes the hurt and anger expressed in pulpits, street corners, barber shops and beauty salons is feared and misunderstood. It's easy to use clips of a sermon and create hysteria. But it's hard to look past the pain and look to the root of the issue. And that is what we are going to have to do if we are ever going to move forward.

If those who have been marginalized can't share their story and be heard by those in the center, then things will never change.

Philly youth are getting folks ready

2008-04-21T17:40:00.003-04:00

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www.yrmomma4obama.com/
Is your Momma for Obama? How about your Papa? We know he's got the young vote on lock down, but we need our parents to vote for him if we're gonna win PA on Apr 22 (and IN and NC on May 6!. Send one of the txts on this page to everyone u know from your phone and tell your parents how you feel. Vote in the primary!

2 young 2 vote? Win this election for Obama by getting your parents to vote for him. Send a txt. Tell your friends. Print out this PA flyer and put it up at school or work. If you're in PA, you can grab this poster or if you're in Indiana, use this one. Gobama!

40 years later - progress, but not equality

2008-04-04T10:03:00.003-04:00

It's been forty years since Dr. King was killed at a hotel in Memphis, TN. And this morning I was able to hear his words on NPR, the Tom Joyner Morning Show and the Steve Harvey Morning Show. His words were always filled with truth and as I read the transcript of his last speech, I'm struck by his view of the world. It seems he knew this speech on April 3 was his last and that he needed to leave us with words that would keep us. And he did.

From the transcript of the speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop" delivered April 3, 1968 at Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, TN, presented by AmericanRhetoric.com

It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us. The pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
And I don't mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so I'm happy, tonight.
I'm not worried about anything.
I'm not fearing any man!
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!

So, forty years have gone by and we've made progress. The opportunities for pursuing success have been extend for more and more since King passed away. But there still is no equality. The laws of the federal, state and local governments prohibit discrimination and there is protection under these laws, but there still is no equality. We can look out over the landscape of America and see people of color living prosperous lives, pursuing advancement in their careers and excelling in almost every area, but there still is no equality. There are still more Black men in prison than in college. There are still education and economic gaps between Black folk and White folk. There are still divisions along racial, ethnic and class lines that we are still trying to cross. Yes, we've made progress, but we still have some steps to take down this road toward justice for all people. We still have to keep moving so that we can see justice truly realized in America.

I would not be sitting here typing this post without the sacrifice of Dr. King and the thousands of men and women who joined him in the fight for civil rights. I will never forget that.

Richmond History: Battle for the City: the Politics of Race 1950s-1970s

2008-04-01T10:50:00.003-04:00

There's a new exhibit opening up Friday at the Richmond History Center. Honestly, I didn't know about this place, but thanks to Artsline I heard about this exhibit. The short description looks interesting:

With stunning imagery and artifacts, the History Center revisits citywide conflicts over integration, civil rights, urban planning, transportation, and political representation. Highlights include large-scale images of riots, demonstrations, integration attemps and more, as well as part of the Woolworth's lunch counter, the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike toll booth and a Ku Klux Klan robe.

The exhibit of Richmond history I saw at the Black History Museum was very good and I hope to make it over to the Richmond History Center to check this one out.

A More Perfect Union ... here in Richmond

2008-03-18T23:40:00.007-04:00

As I watched Senator Barack Obama deliver his speech today in my favorite city - Philly - I was struck with something kinda like deja vu. (Not deja vu in a true sense, because I was not alive during this time, but..) As I watched You Tube, I thought of sitting with my Mom and Dad and listening to Dr. King on the radio as he addressed the crowd in DC on August 28, 1963. And I thought of how it must have felt to once again hear words that were empowering and challenging. Words that were filled with hope but also the reality of what is necessary to see that hope realized. Words that brought excitement and sparked dreams of the possibilities, and words that didn't quench that fire with the portrayal of reality.

Sen. Obama delivered a great speech. It is defining for him. And now we will really see what America can do. Can America move beyond what divides us? I don't know. I'm still cynical at times. But more often I have hope. I have hope because here in my own Richmond, Virginia neighborhood, I see people from different races, ethnicities, classes, age groups uniting for single purpose. And that purpose is to help improve the lives of those who live in Church Hill and alter the fabric of this community. We might not change the world, but we can be a catalyst for changing the people in the world. I have hope because I've seen people lean into the differences between us and not run away from them. Differences that are very real. Past pain with current reminders that are very real. Misunderstandings and misconceptions and ignorant notions that are very real. Frustrations with the way things are that are very real. This is what I have seen and it gives me hope.

In the former capitol of the Confederacy, unity is happening. People are united in faith and purpose and doing the work that is necessary to improve the lives of this generation and prepare the way for the next. Because Sen. Obama believes in what I believe, I'm supporting him. Because I want an America that will be a better place for my daughter to live than it was for me, her mother and her grandparents. Because I want her to live in a world that will define her first by her character and not her color. Because I want America to be a more perfect union.

Thank you Barack. Thank you for your words today.

The Pursuit of Happiness....and Life

2008-03-13T00:09:00.004-04:00

Having just relocated from NC to Atlanta, I find myself sitting for hours in front of the ole' tube watching endless hours of news and headlines. After all, we have the local news and the benefit of CNN being a hometown media outlet...constant global and local updates at its best. However, it grieves me to be forced to wait until the end of the broadcast (locally) just to have a glimmer of hope that my little corner of the world is inherently a decent place to reside. The first 20 minutes of the 30 minute broadcast (with the exception of the weather) is filled with crime, murder, rape, kidnapping....and the list goes on. Most recently, 2 local young women were viciously kidnapped and murdered at their respective institutions of higher learning, Auburn University and UNC Chapel Hill. Their murders happened within days of each other. Innocent lives, going about their daily rituals on to the pursuit of happiness, snuffed out by malicious predators between the ages of 17-25; youth in their own right.

At one point I found myself paralyzed in front of my television, face drenched in tears screaming WHY? WHY? WHY? What made these young, misguided souls feel that it was okay to casually take a complete strangers life and possessions? One of the accused's mothers said her son has never been the same since he returned from a 16 month deployment to Iraq. But, aren't there psychological tests that the soldiers go through pre and post Iraq? Or is that not apart of the budgeted BILLIONS of dollars spent on the infamous and questionable war?

What happened to the days of old where everyone in the community was responsible for what happened in the community? The days where a smoker would put out their cigarette when they walked past a house of worship. Now, drugs even murder and rape can be found not only on the steps of cathedrals and tabernacles, but in the innermost chambers of these holy places. What has really happened to our communities, our world, our people?.....and what can WE do to salvage what remains?...

-KCT

Comic creation on Bitstrips.com

2008-03-07T22:49:00.003-05:00

Vote!

2008-02-12T09:24:00.000-05:00

I walked into the Fourth Baptist Church with pride early this morning. I participated in a process that would have been forbidden for me, without the fight and struggle of some great men and women...not that many years ago. And in the shadow of a large image of Dr. King, I cast my vote.

I left that church basement with the words of another voter playing over and over again in my head - "Let's get that brotha in!". I smiled and left that place glad I am witnessing history in the making.

Our position is official -- We support Barack Obama

2008-02-09T09:45:00.000-05:00

Yes we can!!

My History is "Black"

2008-02-07T09:07:00.000-05:00

Once again it's February and it's Black History month. So, as always, there will be countless community gatherings, church programs and media events that highlight the history of the Black folk in America. It's a hard story filled with tragedy and triumph...suffering and success.

Today I learned about a film by Marco Williams that's being broadcast on PBS called "Banished. American Ethnic Cleansings":

From the 1860s to the 1920s, towns across the U.S. violently expelled African American residents. Today, these communities remain virtually all white. As black descendants return to demand justice, BANISHED exposes the hidden history of racial cleansing in America.

I am well aware of "white flight", but I didn't know of this part of our history.

The film will broadcast here in Richmond on Tuesday, so I'll let you know what I think of the film next week. Please share your reaction to the film if you've seen it already.

Barack Obama and King’s Dream

2008-02-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

This article was published in the newest issue of Juris Publici from the University of Richmond's School of Law

Barack Obama and King’s Dream
By: Syreeta Waldo

As we close out January, during which month we celebrate the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we walk right in to February as Black History month. For this month as well as throughout the year, it is important to recognize the contributions of African Americans to our nation and our society, and to acknowledge the advancements that have been made to date in the areas of equality and justice.

This year, in addition to being an election year, it seems that for the first time we have a viable democratic candidate who also happens to be African American. Barack Obama is competing with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and while both candidates stand to make history come the November elections, Barack Obama could become the first elected African American President of the United States. Clearly this is a noteworthy achievement, yet what does it mean for race relations in America?

In today's society there are many who believe that racism is dead and that discrimination is no longer an issue. Having an African American president, or even a viable presidential nominee, would seem to support that theory, wouldn't it? Well, it depends on who you ask. Our country still has a long way to go in the area of race and equality, but having Obama doing particularly well in the primaries, winning South Carolina, and gaining a notable endorsement from Ted Kennedy, are good examples of how far we have come. His success thus far is quite an accomplishment in a nation with as racially divided a history as ours, and a feat which many believed impossible.

Which leads us to the question: How will having an African American president affect our attitude towards race as a nation? The fear is that we will be prompted to turn even more of a blind eye towards racism if we have an African American in the White House. After all, that is the highest office in our nation, and if an African American can attain that status, then all is well in the world, right? Will this be proof positive that King's dream has been realized? Could this then lead to an even stronger attack on any lingering affirmative action policies, or policies that consider race as a factor in admissions, scholarship opportunities or jobs?

It is still important to note, that significant division along race and class lines still exist today. In fact, with many misplaced comments and the help of the media, this campaign has already been somewhat divisive, labeling Obama as simply "the black candidate."

There is also ample evidence that while we have advanced in this area as a nation, systemic racism and discrimination are still very prevalent in society. If we look back to 2005 and the devastating events that took place in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans, one of the city's poorest communities, there are significant racial implications that are hard to ignore. Similarly, and more recently, in 2007, the circumstances surrounding the "Jena Six" in Jena, Louisiana came to light, revealing that white students hung nooses from a tree on a public high school campus in response to a black student asking whether he was allowed to sit under the tree. I would argue that these are not as rare occurrences as we think. Discrimination and outright racism is still prevalent in our nation, from the most rural to the most urban communities. Even merely taking a look at the composition of our prisons or the disparities among our public schools is enough to give pause on waving a "mission accomplished" banner on this issue.

The truth is that regardless of the results on Super Tuesday and which democratic candidate receives the party's nomination, history will soon be made. Whatever the outcome, just don't expect that race will no longer be an issue. We have yet a long way to go in pursuing the dream.

A good message from Kirk

2008-01-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

I caught a message that Kirk Franklin preached last year on TBN. I don't always hear things that resonate with me on TBN, but there's a lot of truth in this message.

Part 1:

Part 2:

An Illusion of Inclusion

2007-12-13T09:51:00.001-05:00

On NPR this morning, I heard a preview of a piece that With Good Reason will be airing this Saturday that deals with the disparity across racial lines in America's housing markets. It sounds likes it will be pretty good, so try and listen on NPR or online.

Here's how WGR describes the piece:

In the midst of America's mortgage meltdown, black and hispanic homeowners are taking especially hard hits. Business Professor Greg Fairchild (Batten Institute) says the lack of a down payment is the biggest obstacle for these communities, which historically have only a small fraction of the family wealth available to white households.

Also featured: Peter Rodriguez (Batten Institute) is an advocate of what he calls "Angel Investing" in Latin America. He says private investors are beginning to help nurture young entrepreneurs to create a culture of sustained economic development in places where there is little or no modern business tradition.

Month to month...

2007-11-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

I think a trend is emerging on my blog - one post a month. That is a very poor pace for a blogger, I know. But right now there is not much time available for me to contribute anything on this medium. I update my Twitter every once and a while, so you can catch up with me there. But it will be a little bit before I can post regularly.

So keep striving and fighting for justice and truth. And I'll be back later.

Samaya

2007-10-02T23:40:00.000-04:00

So much of my life is shared online. It's crazy! But because my relational network extends from Canada to Florida to California to Chicago...and even to Korea...I have to share with you on my blog that my daughter was born on Wednesday, 9/19, at 6:30am. Her name is Samaya Helen and she is a beautiful, healthy little girl. She is not letting Mommy and Daddy get much sleep, but she is precious and loved very much. You can see more of her here.

Republican Presidential Forum

2007-09-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone. Life is really hectic right now, but I had to get online quickly and remind everyone that the Republican Presidential Forum is tomorrow from 9-10:30pm EST. Just like the Democratic Forum, it will be broadcast on PBS. But I don't think I'll be able to do any live blogging for this one. We'll see.

The Republican Presidential Forum will be held on the campus of Morgan State University. Along with Tavis Smiley, three journalists of color will pose questions to the candidates regarding the Covenant with Black America and other domestic issues that affect all Americans.

The following Republican Presidential candidates have confirmed that they will be attending:
Senator Sam Brownback
Governor Mike Huckabee
Congressman Duncan Hunter
Ambassador Alan Keyes
Congressman Ron Paul
Congressman Tom Tancredo

And these candidates are not attending and are missing a great opportunity to respond to our issues:
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
Senator John McCain
Governor Mitt Romney
Senator Fred D. Thompson

If you missed the Democratic Forum, the transcript is available.