Author: larry

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MOTHER AFRICA

The blood that flows through my veins is not the blood of a defeated people but the blood of Mother Africa.  Although tainted by fear, oppression, repression and hatred, this blood is characterized by its strength and resilience.  No matter what, it will always be the blood of my ancestral home, Mother Africa.

While I sometimes long for that perceived long ago comfort of my homeland, a longing which at times weakens my inner being, my most compelling priority is to address the current state of Black America.  Rebuild Our Family is the vehicle for that effort.

Larry C. Smith, President
©Look Forward My Brother, LLC
October 28, 2024

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Baltimore’s Mayoral Debate



This evening’s (i.e., April 17, 2024) mayoral debate held at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center was outstanding. In attendance was former Mayor Shelia Dixon, Mayor Brandon Scott, former prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace.

There were four (4) persons on that stage and from each you got the feeling of love for Baltimore. For heartfelt passion, that passion that comes from the gut, I would go with Bob Wallace and Thiru Vignarajah. This is in addition to their knowledge of the issues which face Baltimore and their plans of action to address them. And there were some good ones articulated.

I was very impressed with Mayor Scott, how he handled himself (except calling folks liars. He seems to use that word quite often), his accomplishments and his plans for the future.  Former Mayor Dixon presented some ideas from her time as mayor.  My ranking of performance:  Mayor Brandon Scott and Bob Wallace tied for first place with Thiru Vignarajah coming in at a close second.

Again, great debate from some extraordinary individuals who want the best for our City of Baltimore.

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So Much Killing in Baltimore, Maryland USA and So Little Action

How many lives must be lost, how many families destroyed, how many of our youth must be traumatized forever before Baltimore’s leadership takes serious heartfelt action to stop the killing?  There have been calls to bring in the troops and some have talked of declaring martial law.  These are viable options to stop the slaughter but there is that option of surveillance aircraft that could get the job done in a less draconian manner.

It was used once in Baltimore for a short amount of time and discontinued.  Not because it wasn’t effective but because of a lawsuit; a lawsuit based on privacy issues.  While I respect the issue of privacy, I also understand that there are times when the lives of our children shadow one’s right to privacy.  And what’s happening in Baltimore City, Maryland USA is one of those times. 

Mayor Scott, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Bates and Baltimore’s legal team should put their heads together and come up with an approach to use the aircraft which is plausible to the court.  The ACLU and Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle should be supportive of that effort.  Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

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Missive to Candidates for the Office of 7th Maryland Congressional District.

This below email was sent to each of the Democratic and Republican candidates running for the office of 7th Maryland Congressional District.  As of close-of-business February 1, 2020, I have only heard from 1 Democrat and 1 Republican.  Hopefully, I will receive commitment from the majority of candidates.  If not, we all should be concerned that our serious issues are not being acknowledged or discussed.

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Dear Candidate

I am writing to you because you are running for the seat vacated by the untimely death of Representative Elijah Cummings.  I cannot tell you how important this election is.  Whoever fills that seat will have an awesome responsibility to the constituents of the 7th Maryland Congressional District, of which I am one.  This district covers many diverse populations, all with their own diverse issues.

One of the main concerns of my organization is the plight of the Black families in Baltimore City, specifically female headed households without a father present.

 Statistics show that in the 7th district, there is:

 1.       A concentration of households making less than $25,000 a year,
2.        A high percentage of households living below the poverty level,
3.        A high level of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty level,
4.        A 40.6 percent poverty level for female-headed families with children
            under age 18 and no father present.  

This situation is at the root of many of our communities problems and must be addressed.  This is just one of the many issues facing our community but it is key to beginning our recovery as a people. 

There was a time not too long ago that Black America had a higher percentage of nuclear families than White America.  I am a product of that period.  We had hope and that hope resonated from within our strong family structure.

Laws and policies such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (with the stipulation that females could not work and could not have a man present), 3 Strike Out and Zero Tolerance helped to destroy our families. 

During your campaign I would like for you to acknowledge the fact that our families are in serious trouble and we, together, must address the issue.  I don’t expect you to have any recommendations at this time but just the fact that you acknowledge the issue gives hope to those in those hopeless situations. 

I have over ten (10) years of analytical data, interviews, commentaries and many ideas on how we can make a difference and change some lives.  If you decide to make this one of your campaign pledges, I can be of assistance.

I can be reached at 443.467.3155.  Thanking you in advance for considering my request.  And best of luck during the campaign.

Yours in Friendship,
Larry C. Smith, President
Look Forward My Brother, LLC
www.lookforwardmybrother.org
Linkedin/Larry C. Smith
January 29, 2020

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Upcoming Baltimore Mayoral and Maryland 7th Congressional District Elections

We have two very important elections coming up soon here in the State of Maryland.  There will be the Baltimore mayoral election (primary April 28, 2020 and general November 3, 2020) and the Maryland 7th Congressional District election (primary February 4, 2020 and general April 28, 2020).  This will fill the seat of Congressman Elijah Cummings who passed away October 17, 2019. 

Both of these elections have plenty of candidates and plenty of issues affecting the Black community.  I am continuing the process of attending candidate forums and requesting information on their positions.  I will then use those data to determine who should be supported in their effort to become either Mayor of Baltimore or Maryland 7th District Congressperson. 

My choices are based upon responses to issues which are in the best interest of Black folks.  It makes no difference if that individual is Democrat or Republican.  It’s about what is best for us as a people.  I have recommended support for numerous office holders at the federal, State and local levels since 2016, both Democrat and Republican.  And to date, I have a 100% success record.

I consider myself a well-informed citizen who takes the right to vote as a very serious responsibility.  I spend as much time as possible in learning the issues and facts, critically analyzing those issues and facts, coming to a sound conclusion and voting accordingly or recommending who to vote for.

The foremost issues to be addressed in Baltimore City are 1) murders, 2) female headed single family households, 3) crime and 4) number of shootings. 

The foremost issues to be addressed in the Maryland 7th Congressional District are 1) murders, 2) crime and 3) disparity in median household income between Black and White households.

There are many other issues but I have determined that the candidates’ positions on these issues should be known.

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