Stories

Democracy/Civic Engagement

  • Building Healthy Communities in South Carolina

    After days of contentious and emotional arguments, South Carolina’s political leaders decided to remove the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds. One lawmaker opened the debate in the House by reading aloud the names of nine parishioners murdered inside Charleston's Emanuel AME Church. The man charged with killing them apparently posted a manifesto featuring photographs of himself...

    Bernie Mazyck
  • Taking down the Confederate flag is only the first step

    It’s time to address racism and inequality in the South.

    The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation applauds the South Carolina legislature’s decision to remove the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds. The hate crime in Charleston focused the national spotlight on racism in the South; it also forced Southerners to consider the ways we commemorate history and how our symbols are perceived....

  • Overcoming Fear: Lessons from the South

    An attempt to start a race war in America is backfiring in vibrant fashion. People of all backgrounds are mourning nine black parishioners who welcomed a white supremacist into their Bible study at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church, a hallowed shrine to freedom, equality and inclusion. The congregation is overwhelmed by the condolences and donations pouring in from every state. Thousands packed...

    Scott Douglas
  • Remembering Sandy Rosenblith

    Rural America lost one of its most tenacious champions with the death of Sandy Rosenblith last month. She was one of the most effective, difficult people I have ever known.

    She understood how important place-based change is to low-wealth communities, and that strong, resident-led organizations are key to creating jobs, housing, financial services and the other things people...

    Sandy Rosenblith
  • Race, Community Engagement and an Integrated Dance

    HBO debuted a documentary this month that set out to tell the story of a Georgia high school’s first integrated prom but uncovered a hornet’s nest of racial conflict. “ Southern Rites ” focused on Montgomery County as students merged their “white prom” and “black prom,” sparking bitter backlash from many residents who didn’t take kindly to the disruption of the status quo. A New York Times...

    Daa'iyah Salaam