House of Commons’ Post

I am so proud of the work the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) is doing to shed light on buried episodes of racial terrorism in our state’s history while working with communities to create a path towards reconciliation. We just had our first lynching hearing — this one in Frederick County — in over a year, and it was nothing short of phenomenal but please don’t take my word for it. The experts, the descendants, and the community members who testified were profound, passionate, and powerful. Despite the somber topic, witnessing this truth telling felt uplifting and restorative. Please watch the hearing. Please spread the word. Please lift up these voices. I recommend starting at the 39 minute mark for a powerful presentation on the history of lynchings in Frederick County and the circumstances behind the lynchings of James Carroll in 1879, John Biggus in 1887, and James Bowen in 1895. https://lnkd.in/e6d9QTPp Maryland is the first and only state to have a lynching truth and reconciliation commission. I am grateful to serve on it and grateful to live in a state that is unafraid to confront hard truths. We will be holding hearings in every MD county where a documented lynching occurred. If you live in MD, I encourage you to engage in the important work of this groundbreaking commission. We will need your support when we submit our report and recommendations for reconciliation to the MD State legislature. If you live outside of MD, consider petitioning your state legislature to create a commission like this. As always, I am encouraged by the diversity of people who participated in this hearing. Don’t ever let anyone convince you that racial justice is a black versus white issue. There is room for everyone on the side of justice. Onward until victory is won and justice is done. You can keep up with the work of the MLTRC here: https://lnkd.in/eUq4W2gv #blm #blacklivesmatter #truthandreconciliation #historymatters #marylandlynchingtruthandreconciliationcommission #civilrights #socialjustice

118 years ago - in June 1906 – Congress signed the Antiquities Act into law! Since then, 18 Presidents (9 Republicans and 9 Democrats) have used its power to create National Monuments. National monuments protect our country's historic landmarks or objects of scientific and cultural interest for generations to come. They also boost local economies and help support diverse communities. Check out Pitkin County Commissioner, Greg Poschman, talk about the impact national monuments, especially Camp Hale-Continental Divide, have had on Colorado and learn more about the state-specific impacts of national monuments at https://lnkd.in/gmesntyv

Th Power of Words https://lnkd.in/ee-P-j7S

Link to my latest op-ed column in the Los Altos Town Crier:

This is the afternoon session of the Harvard Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Symposium. I wanted to share the great information. You can find our papers and the recorded symposia at https://lnkd.in/gQwZkJvJ.

Check out our September Edition of The Landes Letter link below:

Is expert evidence always necessary? A recent ruling provided by Lord Sandison suggests that this may not always be the case. Explore our recent blog which discusses the case of Cockburn v Hope [2024], which provides a pertinent updated on this matter. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4gcCLhw

Where can one find the most complete realization of the common good? The most complete realization of the common good is found in those political communities which defend and promote the good of their citizens and of intermediate groups without forgetting the universal good of the entire human family. Further reading: CCC 1901-1912, 1927

Read about the Trial of the Chicago Seven on medium!

Check out the first installment of "Decanally Speaking," a new column by Richard Utz, interim dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, about the importance of names. bit.ly/4cVQZ4e