Listen

To this story on our podcast

Watch

Ali Velshi

Get Involved

Engaged citizens strengthen democracy

One of the founding tenets of The Philadelphia Citizen is to get people the resources they need to become better, more engaged citizens of their city.

We hope to do that in our Good Citizenship Toolkit, which includes a host of ways to get involved in Philadelphia — whether you want to contact your City Councilmember about the challenges facing your community, get those experiencing homelessness the goods they need, or simply go out to dinner somewhere where you know your money is going toward a greater good.

Find an issue that’s important to you in the list below, and get started on your journey of A-plus citizenship.

Vote and strengthen democracy

Stand up for marginalized communities

Create a cleaner, greener Philadelphia

Help our local youth and schools succeed

Support local businesses

Listen

Ali Velshi Covers an Unsung Titan of Black History

The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member profiles Ralph Bunche, the first Black person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a man dedicated to peace, diplomacy and protecting the underserved

Listen

Ali Velshi Covers an Unsung Titan of Black History

The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member profiles Ralph Bunche, the first Black person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a man dedicated to peace, diplomacy and protecting the underserved

BY Ali Velshi

Feb. 12, 2024

Print

There are far more Black heroes to discuss from the annals of American history and the Black experience than the icons MLK, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. This Black History Month, Ali Velshi introduces stories of Black American heroes missing from history textbooks. For example: Ralph Bunche.

Born the grandchild of slaves in 1904, Ralph Bunche excelled in school, graduating from UCLA as valedictorian with a degree in international relations. Bunche earned a Ph.D. in political science, worked in wartime intelligence, and played an integral role in establishing the United Nations. For his work brokering peace in Palestine and negotiating the armistice agreement of 1948 between the new nation of Israel and its neighbors, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. Bunche marched in the Civil Rights Movement protests of the 1950s and 60s, despite his ailing health, and passed away in 1971 at just 67. 

Bunche’s commitment to peace was unwavering, famously saying of conflict mediators,

They should be biased against war and for peace. They should have a bias which would lead them to believe in the essential goodness of their fellowman and that no problem of human relations is insoluble. They should be biased against suspicion, intolerance, hate, religious and racial bigotry.

LISTEN: ALI VELSHI ON RALPH BUNCHE

 

WATCH: VELSHI DISCUSSES THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR TO WIN THE NOBEL FOR PEACE

 

 

MORE FROM MSNBC’S ALI VELSHI

Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on the Fallout from Ending the Iran Nuclear Deal
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi and the Real Story Behind Claudine Gay's Ouster
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on Donald Trump's Many Criminal Cases
By Lauren McCutcheon
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on Youth Ignorant of Facts About The Holocaust
By Ali Velshi
Ali Velshi profiles Ralph Bunche

The Philadelphia Citizen will only publish thoughtful, civil comments. If your post is offensive, not only will we not publish it, we'll laugh at you while hitting delete.

Be a Citizen Editor

Suggest a Story

Related Stories

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at [email protected] or call (609)-602-0145.