It is wonderful news that a Louisiana state court of appeals decided to overturn the conviction of Mychal Bell, one of the so-called “Jena 6.” But are we really victorious?
The Jena 6 case illuminates the racism in the U.S. criminal justice system. It is a sad example of how this racism can detrimentally affect our children.
Six black teenagers in the predominantly white town of Jena, Louisiana were charged as adults when they got into a fight with white teens. The white teens were not charged. It is also important to note that this fight came during a time of heated racial conflict at Jena High School.
The tensions began when black students sat under a tree that was supposedly off-limits to blacks. Next, three white students hung nooses under the tree. Of course, blacks saw this as a threat. However, the school district dismissed this act as an “adolescent prank.” Black students and parents reacted in anger to the decision. The protests, however, were only followed with attacks of black students by white students. (The white students were not charged).Then there were counter attacks by black students. (The black students were charged with attempted murder.)
The unfairness in the excessive charges against these six teenagers (including second degree murder) was obvious. Civil rights groups organized a protest that was to take place this Thursday (when Bell was supposed to be sentenced to 15 years in prison). To avoid the media attention, the appeals court quickly acted on an emergency defense appeal and vacated the conviction.
This is an example of the racism that still exists. Black people know it still exists. White people often deny it and say blacks are too sensitive or paranoid. They might even dismiss this as an isolated case. So what do we do? Do we keep arguing and trying to prove racism exists, that the justice system is not just when it comes to black people? Do we complain about it, protest it, cry over it, hold meetings and open forums to discuss it? Do we wait until something like this happens and then get all the usuals to run to the scene singing “We shall over come,” carrying signs? Or do we proactively change the system, and better yet, do all that we can to keep ourselves and our kids out of the system?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Hating O.J. Simpson (or Just Hate)?
Why is O.J Simpson still in the news 13 years later? Racism.
Most blacks know there is racism in the American society and the U.S. criminal justice system (even if just intuitively). Whites deny it, get defensive and say blacks need to stop “playing the race card.”
I don’t think most black people were big O.J. fans (I sure wasn’t) at the time of all the media hoopla in ‘94 and ‘95. The support displayed during that time was a reaction to a system blacks knew was flawed and could be very racist. Blacks did what we do too often. React when an event occurs. Come out in full force, signs and all. Then forget all about it until the next event.
Blacks are over O.J. So why is he still in the news? Somebody is still holding on to it. The media know there is still passion about this case. They know white people hate O.J. or at least something he represents. So when O.J. tried to publish his crazy “hypothetical” book and then got arrested again, the media jumped all over it.
If it is not racism or bias, why is this case so inciteful and not others? Why is there such interest in it? They might argue it’s because he is a celebrity. Well, Robert Blake (from Baretta) got off for murdering his wife. Then, just like O.J., Blake was found liable in a civil case and ordered to pay restitution. Just like O.J., he is finding every way possible not to pay it. Nobody cares. The case was minimally covered in the media. Most people probably don’t even know what ended up happening with it.
Now Phil Specter, a famous music producer who worked with the Beatles, Tina Turner, the Righteous Brothers and others, is on trial for killing an actress. I’ve seen O.J. on every news show this week because the Goldman’s have decided to publish his book. Specter’s trial is going on right now. Nobody cares.
I’m not implying that Simpson is some victim of racism who got a bad rap. I think, to put it in Big Mama speak, he needs to go somewhere and sit down. I’m saying the attention that is being paid to this case when there are plenty of injustice cases we need to focus on, is a reflection of racist attitudes. Those who are focusing on it (besides the Browns and the Goldmans who this case immediately affects) need to ask themselves why it is important to them.
Most blacks know there is racism in the American society and the U.S. criminal justice system (even if just intuitively). Whites deny it, get defensive and say blacks need to stop “playing the race card.”
I don’t think most black people were big O.J. fans (I sure wasn’t) at the time of all the media hoopla in ‘94 and ‘95. The support displayed during that time was a reaction to a system blacks knew was flawed and could be very racist. Blacks did what we do too often. React when an event occurs. Come out in full force, signs and all. Then forget all about it until the next event.
Blacks are over O.J. So why is he still in the news? Somebody is still holding on to it. The media know there is still passion about this case. They know white people hate O.J. or at least something he represents. So when O.J. tried to publish his crazy “hypothetical” book and then got arrested again, the media jumped all over it.
If it is not racism or bias, why is this case so inciteful and not others? Why is there such interest in it? They might argue it’s because he is a celebrity. Well, Robert Blake (from Baretta) got off for murdering his wife. Then, just like O.J., Blake was found liable in a civil case and ordered to pay restitution. Just like O.J., he is finding every way possible not to pay it. Nobody cares. The case was minimally covered in the media. Most people probably don’t even know what ended up happening with it.
Now Phil Specter, a famous music producer who worked with the Beatles, Tina Turner, the Righteous Brothers and others, is on trial for killing an actress. I’ve seen O.J. on every news show this week because the Goldman’s have decided to publish his book. Specter’s trial is going on right now. Nobody cares.
I’m not implying that Simpson is some victim of racism who got a bad rap. I think, to put it in Big Mama speak, he needs to go somewhere and sit down. I’m saying the attention that is being paid to this case when there are plenty of injustice cases we need to focus on, is a reflection of racist attitudes. Those who are focusing on it (besides the Browns and the Goldmans who this case immediately affects) need to ask themselves why it is important to them.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Time to Wake Up
Black folks have been striving for the perpetual dream deferred for so long that we don't know how to appreciate or utilize a potential dream come true. I really believe Barack Obama is a potential dream come true.
I started shifting in my sleep when I first heard him speak and discerned an authenticity in him that I hadn't seen in any other politicians. Then when I read his book, my eyes came wide open.
When Obama announced his candidacy, I just knew if he could count on anybody, it would be African Americans. Then I noticed so-called African American leaders were silent about this brother (still sleeping). Later, there was an even harsher reality in the polls. Obama is struggling to catch Hilary Clinton when it comes to black support. What?!? Comatose.
So I've been contemplating what's going on with us. It's refreshing to hear others are outraged over this issue too. Even the mainstream media is perplexed. I have come to a couple of grim conclusions. First, so-called African American leaders (Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley, Al Sharpton) make their living off of the struggle. So when the struggle is over, they won't have jobs. They can't hold their conferences and lavish conventions, sell their books, or get all those speaking engagements. Therefore, even though Obama's success would certainly not end the struggle, it will represent a huge victory that none of them have been able to achieve. Second, some of our people need to deal with their slave mentality issues. To say that Barack Obama (a man who has been a fully invested activist in the African American community for nearly two decades) is not black enough to gain our support for his presidential bid, but Bill Clinton (the man who helped to roll back all sorts of programs that impacted the black community) is the first black president is completely beyond my understanding. It reflects so many aspects of black low self-esteem and self hatred that I won't even attempt to analyze it in this blog.
I just encourage all of us to work on us, so that we can believe in us, so we can finally live the dreams of our ancestors.
I started shifting in my sleep when I first heard him speak and discerned an authenticity in him that I hadn't seen in any other politicians. Then when I read his book, my eyes came wide open.
When Obama announced his candidacy, I just knew if he could count on anybody, it would be African Americans. Then I noticed so-called African American leaders were silent about this brother (still sleeping). Later, there was an even harsher reality in the polls. Obama is struggling to catch Hilary Clinton when it comes to black support. What?!? Comatose.
So I've been contemplating what's going on with us. It's refreshing to hear others are outraged over this issue too. Even the mainstream media is perplexed. I have come to a couple of grim conclusions. First, so-called African American leaders (Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley, Al Sharpton) make their living off of the struggle. So when the struggle is over, they won't have jobs. They can't hold their conferences and lavish conventions, sell their books, or get all those speaking engagements. Therefore, even though Obama's success would certainly not end the struggle, it will represent a huge victory that none of them have been able to achieve. Second, some of our people need to deal with their slave mentality issues. To say that Barack Obama (a man who has been a fully invested activist in the African American community for nearly two decades) is not black enough to gain our support for his presidential bid, but Bill Clinton (the man who helped to roll back all sorts of programs that impacted the black community) is the first black president is completely beyond my understanding. It reflects so many aspects of black low self-esteem and self hatred that I won't even attempt to analyze it in this blog.
I just encourage all of us to work on us, so that we can believe in us, so we can finally live the dreams of our ancestors.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Strangers & Pilgrims
They can’t vote. They are often uneducated. They have no civil rights. They are stuck in a subculture of poverty and substandard living where they work long hours but all the benefits go to someone else. This sounds like the conditions of African Americans not long ago. It sounds like something we protested against during the civil rights movement. Something our kids are supposed to read about in history class (but often they don’t and don’t even have a clue how blessed they are.) However, these conditions exist right now. I’m not talking about some “Third World” country either. People live like this in the great old US of A.
One might think that African Americans would feel some sense of unity and brotherhood, with Mexican and other immigrants, who are exploited and oppressed as we once were. However, I often hear the opposite sentiments. I hear, “They need to go back to where they come from,” or “Why don’t they learn to speak the language,” or “They just come over here and take advantage of the rights we fought for.” I’ve even heard people complain about how Hispanics are becoming the biggest minority group in Florida and other places. Who would fight over the position of “minority” anyway?
With recent issues and proposed immigration legislation, there has been much debate over immigration, both legal and illegal. Congress just tried and failed to pass an immigration reform bill. Mexicans marched and sang freedom songs just like blacks did in the 60s. That stirred up Americans who counter-protested and sent letters, faxes and e-mails to their congressmen. African Americans mostly joined attacks against the perceived foreign invaders. Of course with politicians seeking to remain in office, the public outcry caused them to back off the bill for amnesty. Now there is no solution for our immigration problem and Mexican and other immigrants must continue to live as modern day slaves.
Many don’t see the common bond between black and brown people. In fact, the situation often puts us in competition. Those against immigration reform or amnesty say that allowing immigrants into our country will take jobs away from Americans. This will more likely affect poorer people. Also, loosening restrictions on immigration will drive down the wages for poorer people because Mexican workers will often work for less.
However, those who are for amnesty say immigration reform will actually do more to increase the wages for Mexican immigrants and help alleviate the conditions of poverty. Also, they say we can’t stop them from coming. Therefore, it would be in our best interest to at least document them so that we will know who is here (especially with terrorist threats to our homeland security).
Mexicans risk being shot, starving to death, hypothermia, being attacked by animals and all kinds of other dangers in their pursuit of the American dream. So why are the Mexicans risking their lives to get here anyway? They do it for the same reason immigrants did it in the early part of this century. They want a better life.
Many say, however, that this is not our problem. They say it is not our responsibility to solve the problems of Mexico and risk our own wealth and happiness. But is it? Often, so called “First World” developed countries gained their wealth on the backs of “Third World” laborers. America did it during slavery on black backs. They did it during the American expansion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries on yellow and brown backs. Now they continue to do it on Mexican backs. Now, as Malcolm X said, the chickens are coming home to roost. The third world wants their share of the benefits they have worked to provide for the first world.
In 1994, President Clinton negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada. This agreement eliminated tariffs on products sold among these countries, encouraged privatization of state-run businesses, and relaxed environmental and labor standards. Ultimately, it meant America could go into these countries and sell products, get cheap labor, and make a lot of money. It was supposed to benefit the poorer countries by giving them greater access to foreign capital, goods and consumers. It did benefit some people. Mostly the rich in these countries got richer, while the poor lost their farm jobs and had to go and work in factories. NAFTA ended up destroying hundreds of thousands of agricultural jobs in Mexico and the price of Mexican goods such as corn plummeted. Then their alternative was to become street vendors or go and work in factories called maquiladoras. In these maquiladoras, they work long hours and barely get paid. They are often abused and exploited by oppressive and brutal overseers, especially women. Sounds like slavery to me. The irony is that the money made in these deplorable places comes right back to the U.S.
So as poverty persists in Mexico, Mexicans look to el Norte. But they come over here and have no rights because they are not citizens.
So what is our obligation? Our responsibility is to be fair. We owe it to our ancestors and ourselves to pursue justice. It is in our best interest as a country. It may seem like selfishness and self-centeredness is more profitable. But in the end, arrogance and pride will bring about a downfall. It is a fact of history. We see the signs. The world now looks at America with contempt. We can change this by shifting our value focus from getting more things to doing what is right. If we do this, we will be blessed. If we don’t, we have been warned time and again. And justice won’t always sleep.
One might think that African Americans would feel some sense of unity and brotherhood, with Mexican and other immigrants, who are exploited and oppressed as we once were. However, I often hear the opposite sentiments. I hear, “They need to go back to where they come from,” or “Why don’t they learn to speak the language,” or “They just come over here and take advantage of the rights we fought for.” I’ve even heard people complain about how Hispanics are becoming the biggest minority group in Florida and other places. Who would fight over the position of “minority” anyway?
With recent issues and proposed immigration legislation, there has been much debate over immigration, both legal and illegal. Congress just tried and failed to pass an immigration reform bill. Mexicans marched and sang freedom songs just like blacks did in the 60s. That stirred up Americans who counter-protested and sent letters, faxes and e-mails to their congressmen. African Americans mostly joined attacks against the perceived foreign invaders. Of course with politicians seeking to remain in office, the public outcry caused them to back off the bill for amnesty. Now there is no solution for our immigration problem and Mexican and other immigrants must continue to live as modern day slaves.
Many don’t see the common bond between black and brown people. In fact, the situation often puts us in competition. Those against immigration reform or amnesty say that allowing immigrants into our country will take jobs away from Americans. This will more likely affect poorer people. Also, loosening restrictions on immigration will drive down the wages for poorer people because Mexican workers will often work for less.
However, those who are for amnesty say immigration reform will actually do more to increase the wages for Mexican immigrants and help alleviate the conditions of poverty. Also, they say we can’t stop them from coming. Therefore, it would be in our best interest to at least document them so that we will know who is here (especially with terrorist threats to our homeland security).
Mexicans risk being shot, starving to death, hypothermia, being attacked by animals and all kinds of other dangers in their pursuit of the American dream. So why are the Mexicans risking their lives to get here anyway? They do it for the same reason immigrants did it in the early part of this century. They want a better life.
Many say, however, that this is not our problem. They say it is not our responsibility to solve the problems of Mexico and risk our own wealth and happiness. But is it? Often, so called “First World” developed countries gained their wealth on the backs of “Third World” laborers. America did it during slavery on black backs. They did it during the American expansion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries on yellow and brown backs. Now they continue to do it on Mexican backs. Now, as Malcolm X said, the chickens are coming home to roost. The third world wants their share of the benefits they have worked to provide for the first world.
In 1994, President Clinton negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada. This agreement eliminated tariffs on products sold among these countries, encouraged privatization of state-run businesses, and relaxed environmental and labor standards. Ultimately, it meant America could go into these countries and sell products, get cheap labor, and make a lot of money. It was supposed to benefit the poorer countries by giving them greater access to foreign capital, goods and consumers. It did benefit some people. Mostly the rich in these countries got richer, while the poor lost their farm jobs and had to go and work in factories. NAFTA ended up destroying hundreds of thousands of agricultural jobs in Mexico and the price of Mexican goods such as corn plummeted. Then their alternative was to become street vendors or go and work in factories called maquiladoras. In these maquiladoras, they work long hours and barely get paid. They are often abused and exploited by oppressive and brutal overseers, especially women. Sounds like slavery to me. The irony is that the money made in these deplorable places comes right back to the U.S.
So as poverty persists in Mexico, Mexicans look to el Norte. But they come over here and have no rights because they are not citizens.
So what is our obligation? Our responsibility is to be fair. We owe it to our ancestors and ourselves to pursue justice. It is in our best interest as a country. It may seem like selfishness and self-centeredness is more profitable. But in the end, arrogance and pride will bring about a downfall. It is a fact of history. We see the signs. The world now looks at America with contempt. We can change this by shifting our value focus from getting more things to doing what is right. If we do this, we will be blessed. If we don’t, we have been warned time and again. And justice won’t always sleep.
Monday, June 18, 2007
My Brother, My Brother
The last bastion of slavery in America is that which binds the black man’s mind and spirit. He is bound by images that falsely define him. Images of the thug, the convict, and the deadbeat dad. He is locked in the role of the performer who coons, shucks, jives and dances for money. If he wants to be something, he must be the athlete who can only throw, bounce or hit a ball. If he doesn’t make it in athletics or entertainment, he becomes the angry and scary brute that makes white women clutch their purses, lock their car doors, and gather their children close. Worse yet, he is the oversexed stallion who makes babies with multiple women and then leaves them for the welfare system to take care of.
He is bound by the demands of corporate America and the women in his life. Demands for him to just play ball and not think too much. Or he must sing or dance or rap. If he can do these things, he might be able to make a little money for himself while making a load of money for other people. He is a chattel, just like an ox or a workhorse, locked in a yoke, trained, driven and forced to provide, protect, do what somebody else says he must do. He is trapped and caught in a frustrating fix by a situation that expects so much but prepares him for so little.
But what does he want? What does he need? What is he passionate about? What does he seek for his own soul? In all the tug of war going on for the black man, he never has the chance to think about that. He is put on the auction block and before he knows it, he is sold to the highest bidder. His mama. His wife. His boys. His boss. His agent.
Black boys don’t get the opportunity to discover themselves. His identity is assigned to him at birth. First, before he can even speak for himself, negative stereotypes pervade his psyche and he subconsciously absorbs a predetermined position. No one will come right out and tell him that he is destined to be a criminal. However, when he looks at T.V. or listens to the radio or sometimes just lives in his environment, he draws this or some other negative conclusion. Then he goes to school and his teachers and administrators expect less from him than everyone else. They feel threatened by him so they assess even the smallest infraction as an act of punishable aggression. When others get a warning, he gets expelled. And this is his introduction into the criminal justice system. Unless, of course, he can play ball.
It is time for us to give our boys the chance to consider themselves. Don’t let them accept a role created for them by others. Teach them to hear God. This is our hope. When the rap is speaking. When the television is speaking. When his boys are speaking. When his hormones are speaking. When fear is speaking. When doubt is speaking. When any voice other than that which knows who he is speaks. Teach him to hear the call of the one who created him and knows his power.
So my question to my brothers is just who do you think you are anyway? In the end it doesn’t matter much what other people think. Certainly, I want you to be who you were destined to be. We need you to be it. But you have to gather the courage to claim that which was given to you by God. Then you will be free. Black people will be free. America will be free. You can free the world.
He is bound by the demands of corporate America and the women in his life. Demands for him to just play ball and not think too much. Or he must sing or dance or rap. If he can do these things, he might be able to make a little money for himself while making a load of money for other people. He is a chattel, just like an ox or a workhorse, locked in a yoke, trained, driven and forced to provide, protect, do what somebody else says he must do. He is trapped and caught in a frustrating fix by a situation that expects so much but prepares him for so little.
But what does he want? What does he need? What is he passionate about? What does he seek for his own soul? In all the tug of war going on for the black man, he never has the chance to think about that. He is put on the auction block and before he knows it, he is sold to the highest bidder. His mama. His wife. His boys. His boss. His agent.
Black boys don’t get the opportunity to discover themselves. His identity is assigned to him at birth. First, before he can even speak for himself, negative stereotypes pervade his psyche and he subconsciously absorbs a predetermined position. No one will come right out and tell him that he is destined to be a criminal. However, when he looks at T.V. or listens to the radio or sometimes just lives in his environment, he draws this or some other negative conclusion. Then he goes to school and his teachers and administrators expect less from him than everyone else. They feel threatened by him so they assess even the smallest infraction as an act of punishable aggression. When others get a warning, he gets expelled. And this is his introduction into the criminal justice system. Unless, of course, he can play ball.
It is time for us to give our boys the chance to consider themselves. Don’t let them accept a role created for them by others. Teach them to hear God. This is our hope. When the rap is speaking. When the television is speaking. When his boys are speaking. When his hormones are speaking. When fear is speaking. When doubt is speaking. When any voice other than that which knows who he is speaks. Teach him to hear the call of the one who created him and knows his power.
So my question to my brothers is just who do you think you are anyway? In the end it doesn’t matter much what other people think. Certainly, I want you to be who you were destined to be. We need you to be it. But you have to gather the courage to claim that which was given to you by God. Then you will be free. Black people will be free. America will be free. You can free the world.
Buffalo Soldier: For Those Who Know and Dare to Be
Do you know just who you are anyway?
I mean do you really know?
Well, this is who you are.
You are the builder of mighty nations.
You built civilizations like Songhay and Mali and governed empires like Kemet and Kush using only your faith, your mind and the natural resources given to you by God.
You had no guns or weapons of mass destruction.
These devices were not even created then.
You did not need to scare people into submission.
Because… you are the carrier of knowledge.
You founded and studied at great universities millennia ago.
You laid the foundation for the modern study of science and mathematics at Timbuktu.
Even philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle revere you.
They still fear you, that’s why they hunt you down. Didn’t you know?
That you are a survivor.
You survived centuries of being punished for your blessings.
You were whipped, mentally abused, stripped of your name and your identity.
They tried to break you and make you believe you were not a man,
by robbing you of your ability to protect your mothers, wives and daughters.
They never let you celebrate yourself, your great ancestors.
Even though you built their empires and celebrated their heroes.
You are a forgiver.
You vowed never to be bitter toward your oppressor even when they refused to apologize.
You fought in wars with them, cried with them when your sons didn’t come home,
believed them when they promised to redeem themselves.
Through all this you somehow managed to be a visionary.
You dreamed of a peaceful world.
You created art and music to describe your pain and danced at the thought of the joy to come.
You are a warrior.
You are fighting to reclaim your families and return to your former glories.
And you will because you know who you are.
You are a builder, a carrier, a survivor, a visionary, a warrior.
You are loved.
I mean do you really know?
Well, this is who you are.
You are the builder of mighty nations.
You built civilizations like Songhay and Mali and governed empires like Kemet and Kush using only your faith, your mind and the natural resources given to you by God.
You had no guns or weapons of mass destruction.
These devices were not even created then.
You did not need to scare people into submission.
Because… you are the carrier of knowledge.
You founded and studied at great universities millennia ago.
You laid the foundation for the modern study of science and mathematics at Timbuktu.
Even philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle revere you.
They still fear you, that’s why they hunt you down. Didn’t you know?
That you are a survivor.
You survived centuries of being punished for your blessings.
You were whipped, mentally abused, stripped of your name and your identity.
They tried to break you and make you believe you were not a man,
by robbing you of your ability to protect your mothers, wives and daughters.
They never let you celebrate yourself, your great ancestors.
Even though you built their empires and celebrated their heroes.
You are a forgiver.
You vowed never to be bitter toward your oppressor even when they refused to apologize.
You fought in wars with them, cried with them when your sons didn’t come home,
believed them when they promised to redeem themselves.
Through all this you somehow managed to be a visionary.
You dreamed of a peaceful world.
You created art and music to describe your pain and danced at the thought of the joy to come.
You are a warrior.
You are fighting to reclaim your families and return to your former glories.
And you will because you know who you are.
You are a builder, a carrier, a survivor, a visionary, a warrior.
You are loved.
Friday, May 25, 2007
The Pursuit of Happiness
We live in what many would say is the greatest country on earth. We have freedoms others would not dare to dream about. We have access to wealth people risk life and limb to grasp. We are the envy of the world and the same time we are the champion of the world.
I often wonder how our country obtained this position. Well, the people who founded the country as we know it were pioneers and entrepreneurs. They had drive, courage, curiosity and creativity. They had a desire to take nothing and make it into something. They invented products and machines that the whole world sought. They made scientific discoveries that the rest of the world felt they could not live without. They built structures that amazed and put in awe. Then in order to protect their right to the pursuit of happiness, they set up a government based on the principles of democracy. And this is how we thrive.
We have been in pursuit of democracy since our country was founded in 1776. Democracy is what makes us great. It simply means that all citizens have a say. Because this concept seems so simple, we often take it for granted. However, it is of utmost importance. We often forget that everyone did not always have a say.
Before the Revolutionary War we were controlled by the British government until Jefferson declared that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. Still, we struggled for true democracy because blacks were not considered men. Later in 1863, Lincoln said our government would be of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, after the Civil War, the African Americans were again alienated from what should have been inalienable rights by laws that kept them from voting and enjoying full access to democracy. Then in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that said all citizens would have free access to that pursuit of happiness.
However, the struggle continues because in order to have a say, one must speak. In order to speak, one must know what to say. The courage to speak comes from knowing what to say. That knowledge comes from education. Quality education. All of our children still do not have a quality education. Education is the key to true democracy. A democratic society must have an equally educated citizenry for it to work.
Another hindrance to democracy is apathy and stagnation. Because many don’t seem to care about what is going in the world, they do not exercise their most basic democratic right. They don't believe they have the power to impact the world around them. Therefore, many adults do not vote or take part in the democratic process in any way. This is so dangerous. It is not just dangerous because we are letting only a small percentage have all the control. It is dangerous because we are the leaders of the free world. So that means the small percentage that does participate is running the world. This tiny percent is who has gotten us into a war that most of the world feels is illegal and morally wrong. So it is so important that we all make our voices heard.
But first we must educate ourselves. Don’t just listen to the people who are talking the loudest. Don’t let them tell you how you must vote. Research for yourself and vote for who you feel will be best for your family, community and world. As African Americans, we have been sold out to the Democratic Party since 1964. However, we must remember that we are not obligated to any particular party. Now the Republicans are trying to play the same political game with the Christian vote. In 2000, they claimed to be the proprietors of and ultimate authority on morality. They won control of the government based on a couple of issues that were important to Christians.
However, we must remember that politicians are just politicians. They play whatever tricks they need to play in order to get into office. It is our duty as citizens to study and hold them accountable. We are coming up to another big national political season. The Democratic and Republican parties just held their first presidential debates. And I see the same games and tricks. So it is up to us to make our voices heard. And don’t just vote. Educate others and get them registered to vote. Then take them to the polls if you have to. We are living in a crucial time in America and the world. We can’t take anything for granted.
If you need to get registered to vote, go to election.dos.state.fl.us/index.html to get a voter registration form or call the Voter Assistance Hotline at 866-308-6739. Also, if you have problems when you try to vote, call the 877-868-3737 to report it.
I often wonder how our country obtained this position. Well, the people who founded the country as we know it were pioneers and entrepreneurs. They had drive, courage, curiosity and creativity. They had a desire to take nothing and make it into something. They invented products and machines that the whole world sought. They made scientific discoveries that the rest of the world felt they could not live without. They built structures that amazed and put in awe. Then in order to protect their right to the pursuit of happiness, they set up a government based on the principles of democracy. And this is how we thrive.
We have been in pursuit of democracy since our country was founded in 1776. Democracy is what makes us great. It simply means that all citizens have a say. Because this concept seems so simple, we often take it for granted. However, it is of utmost importance. We often forget that everyone did not always have a say.
Before the Revolutionary War we were controlled by the British government until Jefferson declared that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. Still, we struggled for true democracy because blacks were not considered men. Later in 1863, Lincoln said our government would be of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, after the Civil War, the African Americans were again alienated from what should have been inalienable rights by laws that kept them from voting and enjoying full access to democracy. Then in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that said all citizens would have free access to that pursuit of happiness.
However, the struggle continues because in order to have a say, one must speak. In order to speak, one must know what to say. The courage to speak comes from knowing what to say. That knowledge comes from education. Quality education. All of our children still do not have a quality education. Education is the key to true democracy. A democratic society must have an equally educated citizenry for it to work.
Another hindrance to democracy is apathy and stagnation. Because many don’t seem to care about what is going in the world, they do not exercise their most basic democratic right. They don't believe they have the power to impact the world around them. Therefore, many adults do not vote or take part in the democratic process in any way. This is so dangerous. It is not just dangerous because we are letting only a small percentage have all the control. It is dangerous because we are the leaders of the free world. So that means the small percentage that does participate is running the world. This tiny percent is who has gotten us into a war that most of the world feels is illegal and morally wrong. So it is so important that we all make our voices heard.
But first we must educate ourselves. Don’t just listen to the people who are talking the loudest. Don’t let them tell you how you must vote. Research for yourself and vote for who you feel will be best for your family, community and world. As African Americans, we have been sold out to the Democratic Party since 1964. However, we must remember that we are not obligated to any particular party. Now the Republicans are trying to play the same political game with the Christian vote. In 2000, they claimed to be the proprietors of and ultimate authority on morality. They won control of the government based on a couple of issues that were important to Christians.
However, we must remember that politicians are just politicians. They play whatever tricks they need to play in order to get into office. It is our duty as citizens to study and hold them accountable. We are coming up to another big national political season. The Democratic and Republican parties just held their first presidential debates. And I see the same games and tricks. So it is up to us to make our voices heard. And don’t just vote. Educate others and get them registered to vote. Then take them to the polls if you have to. We are living in a crucial time in America and the world. We can’t take anything for granted.
If you need to get registered to vote, go to election.dos.state.fl.us/index.html to get a voter registration form or call the Voter Assistance Hotline at 866-308-6739. Also, if you have problems when you try to vote, call the 877-868-3737 to report it.
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