Op-ed

The change Philadelphia needs

The change Philadelphia needs

Op-ed by Senator Art Haywood

There were 499 homicides in Philadelphia in 2020. That grim number was surpassed in 2021 when 562 were murdered in the city. We are only a month into 2022, and the City of Philadelphia has reported another 44 murders. However, in Boston, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Miami, Seattle and St. Louis, murders declined in 2021.

read more
Will Black voters again allow Trump to be elected?

Will Black voters again allow Trump to be elected?

By Sen. Art Haywood

After winning in November 2016, Trump thanked Black voters for staying at home.

“We did great with the African American community…They didn’t come out to vote for Hillary. They didn’t come out,” he said. “And that was big— so thank you to the African American community.”

read more
The true fight for police reform is in statehouses across the U.S.

The true fight for police reform is in statehouses across the U.S.

By Sen. Art Haywood

Black Lives Matter protests erupted in the US and beyond following the cruel killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis. Weekly, and in some places daily, rallies and marches demand an end to police brutality and to systemic racism.

And less than two months later, at least 13 states have passed legislation to curtail police brutality.

read more
Changing the rules to combat racism

Changing the rules to combat racism

By Sen. Art Haywood

Nationwide, Americans continue to staunchly protest systemic racism. The country has not seen action like this since the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s. Sixty years later, the demands for action by the people remain loud and clear.

Much like the rules of a game, rules put in place by those in power cause Black people to lose in destructive ways.

read more
PA must be sure to re-open in just, equitable way

PA must be sure to re-open in just, equitable way

By Sen. Art Haywood

While small businesses owners and politicians have demanded that the state reopen quickly, the reopen health risks are largely on black, brown and white low paid workers.  Essential grocery store, restaurant, food service public transit workers stayed on the job to save us as many of us stayed at home, even worked from home.

read more
After the surge

After the surge

By Sen. Art Haywood

The Covid-19 pandemic has rocked the pillars of our nation. We face challenges that threaten our health and economic well-being while our democracy struggles to respond to the immense suffering. Our society, culture and normal daily life has been turned upside down. 

Across our nation, thousands have tragically died, and hundreds of thousands have gotten sick.  The coronavirus has touched each of us personally. Social distancing has become the norm and our most formidable frontline defense.  What we are doing, in separating from each other, is working.

read more
Auto-IRA would help millions of Pennsylvanian save for retirement

Auto-IRA would help millions of Pennsylvanian save for retirement

By State Treasurer Joe Torsella and Senator Art Haywood

Waiting tables. Cleaning restrooms. Bagging groceries.

These are jobs that need to be done, and plenty of Pennsylvanians put in an honest day’s work doing things just like this. But most of us want something else for ourselves when we reach the end of our working lives.

read more