Connect with us

Maryland

Letter: Proud to be a Marylander, despite election results

Published

on

Letter: Proud to be a Marylander, despite election results


As a lifelong Marylander, this state has profoundly shaped my identity and beliefs. Though the election results were disappointing, I remain proud to call Maryland home. Vice President Kamala Harris won Maryland decisively, breaking barriers everywhere. Marylanders supported her vision for unity, compassion and progress — a testament to our values.

I was born and raised in West Baltimore, where I attended Gwynns Falls Elementary and Lemmel Junior High. I later attended Frederick Douglass High, transferring from the nearly all-white Western High. Douglass brought me closer to my community, where I found strength and solidarity. Morgan State University further shaped me, leading to a teaching career in Baltimore. These schools nurtured my potential and strengthened my values.

For over 50 years, I have been married to the love of my life, sharing a journey and raising our family here. This election reminded me why I love Maryland, with our visible and impactful Black leadership. Our governor, attorney general and senator-elect exemplify diversity. This same goes for our mayor, speaker of the State House, and other officials, including the CEO of Baltimore City Schools.

Still, many in Maryland do not embrace true diversity and inclusion. We face struggles in Baltimore , and we remain a work in progress statewide. Maryland’s push for freedom and progress are personal to me as the CEO of the AFRO, Maryland’s oldest Black-owned business.

Advertisement

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Founded by my great-grandfather John H. Murphy Sr. in 1892, the AFRO has long been a voice for justice and equality. My grandparents were also civil rights leaders. Carl Murphy, a Spingarn Medal recipient, was publisher of the AFRO from 1922 to 1967. Vashti Turley Murphy co-founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., an organization devoted to sisterhood, scholarship and service. My paternal grandfather, Dr. Francis Marion Wood, was Baltimore’s first director of Baltimore City Colored Schools. Their legacies underscore the need for perseverance, courage and faith.

Kamala Harris’ campaign reflected the dreams of many Marylanders. I am grateful to live somewhere that embodies the values I hold dear. In that, I find unshakeable pride, and I will always be proud to be a Marylander.

Frances Murphy Draper is president and CEO of AFRO American Newspapers.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Maryland

Breezy, wet and cooler by late week in Maryland

Published

on

Breezy, wet and cooler by late week in Maryland


Breezy, wet and cooler by late week in Maryland – CBS Baltimore

Watch CBS News


Breezy, wet and cooler by late week in Maryland

Advertisement

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Maryland

Ex-Maryland teacher sentenced to 30 years for having sex with student — but will only spend one year behind bars

Published

on

Ex-Maryland teacher sentenced to 30 years for having sex with student — but will only spend one year behind bars


A disgraced Maryland teacher who had sex with a teenage student nearly two-dozen times was slapped with a 30-year prison sentence – but will only serve one year behind bars for the crime. 

Melissa Marie Curtis, 32, was handed the three-decade sentence with all but 12 months suspended for engaging in sexual acts with the 14-year-old while she was a teacher at Montgomery Village Middle School in 2015, Fox 5 DC reported.

Curtis — who was 22 at the time — had sexual intercourse with the minor more than 20 times between January and May 2015 — with illicit trysts occurring within the school, her car and several residences, including her mother’s home in Montgomery County, according to court documents obtained by the outlet.

Melissa Marie Curtis, 32, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended. Montgomery County Police Department

The convicted perv also gave the eighth-grader alcohol and marijuana, the Montgomery County Police Department said.

Advertisement

Prosecutors said the pair were often left alone together after the young teen volunteered for an after-school program Curtis headed, according to court docs.

Police launched their investigation in October 2023 when the victim came forward with the abuse allegations.

Curtis, of Upper Marlboro, was a teacher for approximately two years and had also taught at Lakelands Park Middle School, cops said.

The sicko teacher turned herself in to police on Nov. 7, 2023, and was charged with sexual abuse of a minor and multiple counts of third- and fourth-degree sexual offenses. 


The sexual activity occurred on school grounds, her car and several residences while she was 22 and the victim 14.
The sexual activity occurred on school grounds, her car and several residences while she was 22 and the victim was 14. Montgomery County Public Schools

She pleaded guilty June 20 to three counts of third-degree sex offenses in June, Fox 5 DC reported.

The sexual predator is required to register as a sex offender for 25 years and will be barred from having any unsupervised contact with minors other than her own children. 

Advertisement

The judge also sentenced Curtis to serve five years of probation.



Source link

Continue Reading

Maryland

Iowa Hawkeyes Make Horrible Decision Ahead of Maryland Game

Published

on

Iowa Hawkeyes Make Horrible Decision Ahead of Maryland Game


Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes are set to face off against the Maryland Terrapins this weekend in their second to last regular season game of the year.

Ahead of this week’s game, Iowa holds a 6-4 record. They have had a couple of very disappointing losses over their last four outings. Losing to Maryland would simply compound upon what has already been a rough all-around stretch of games.

Unfortunately, heading into this week’s matchup, the Hawkeyes have made a horrible decision.

As most fans know, quarterback Brendan Sullivan has been lost for the season due to injury. That led to a new starting quarterback being need this week.

Advertisement

Ferentz and Iowa opted to turn back to Cade McNamara as their starting quarterback.

That decision is a bad one. McNamara has played poorly all season long and fans were desperately hoping for a change away from him long before the decision was actually made.

Why is the decision to revert back to starting McNamara a big mistake?

Jackson Stratton, the team’s sophomore quarterback, has shown the ability to throw the football well in very limited time. He also has a legitimate chance to be the team’s starter for the next two years.

Going back to McNamara does absolutely nothing for the program. He will be leaving following the 2024 season and has shown nothing on the field to warrant playing time. Seeing what the Hawkeyes have in Stratton is a major need and getting him valuable playing time could help him succeed in 2025.

Advertisement

Stratton has received very little playing time. Last week, he completed three of his six pass attempts against UCLA for 28 yards. On the ground, he chipped in a 14-yard run.

Those numbers should have made Iowa give him a chance. At the very least, they could confirm or deny that he’s capable of being the starter next season.

Giving the starting job back to McNamara only guarantees one thing. Fans are about to see more missed passes, frustrating decisions, and a lack of an ability to move the football through the air.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending