Black History Month is celebrated in February each year, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is observed in January. After 23 years in Monroe and the surrounding areas, many are now realizing that near the last weekend in August,…
Category: Opinions
Our Rich Black Heritage: Mary Ann Torran Cook
In the summer of 2022, “9 Louisiana High Schools SUED THE LHSAA,” including 3 local schools in Monroe, Louisiana: Neville, Carroll, and Wossman. The action that prompted the lawsuit was when LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine and the LHSAA executive…
Our City, Our Community – Fire Chief
By Marie Brown One of the biggest controversies in Monroe City government in recent years has occurred over the appointment of a fire chief. The Man in the Hat (Mayor Oliver Friday Ellis) has nominated two candidates for the fire…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Frank Ned Bridges
By Garry Blanson “Whoever wants to educate adults really wants to act as their guardian and prevent them from political activity.The word education has an evil sound in politics; there is a pretense of education, when the real purpose is…
I only cry in my dreams now
By Victor C. Kirk, Sr. Each generation either purchases or passes on to the next items felt important to understand what was held close to one’s heart. In my family, among items passed on was a handmade quilt given to…
Our City – Our Community
By Marie Brown Former Monroe City Councilman Kenneth Wilson announced on a nice sunny day in November 2019 that he would not seek re-election. The announcement was made at an annual Thanksgiving event hosted by his nonprofit, PEEP Inc. Wilson…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Ollie Mae Hamilton Burns
By Garry Blanson Aaaah, Snap,” is a common expression that’s often used in urban slang, as a reaction to a witty comeback, or a surprising event. However, in this instance, I happen to be referring to the government program known…