Obama's Win in Iowa: A Reason to Believe

If ever there was a reason to hope, Barack Obama’s victory in Iowa last night is one. If any person had any reason to give up, Obama did. All the political pundits said he could never rise above the so-called Clinton machine. His own people chose Hillary Clinton as the best person to speak for them. Many said Obama was too young, too inexperienced, too black. But something inside him and his supporters made them keep believing in and working for what others could not see. That something is hope.

And so a junior senator from Chicago who started with little name recognition, little Washington experience, little money and little clout inspired millions of people to gather themselves behind him and his vision for change. They united together under the cause of America’s greatest promise, the promise that anyone who has the passion and work ethic can rise up and accomplish anything.

In his victory speech, Obama spoke about the founding fathers who against all odds rose up to overcome the oppression of the British. He also referenced those freedom fighters in the 60s who faced vicious dogs, angry mobs and the threat of death to win justice, liberty and the hope for America’s promise for all people. They were able to keep going, not because they had the greatest resources or physical forces among them. They kept going because of the inner strength that propelled them. Martin Luther King called this soul force.

The Iowa caucuses are considered important because they are the first true test of a candidate's chances. However, this victory is important because it is evidence that the power of faith is greater than the power of fear. It is important because it reminds African Americans that the greatest force is soul force. It is important because it gives America a reason to be proud again, because as Obama said in his victory speech, it is the moment that America remembered how to hope.

From Little Rock 9 to Jena 6: 50 Years & Still Struggling

Exactly 50 years ago nine black students had to be escorted into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas by U.S. Army troops. Mobs beat them and spit on them. One little girl even got stabbed and had acid thrown into her eyes.

These students and many others across the nation risked their lives to gain access to a quality education. Today, Arkansas and the entire nation celebrate the contribution of the Little Rock 9 to progress in this country. However, after all their effort and risk, have we gained true equal access after over 50 years of fighting?

Terrance Roberts, one of the Little Rock 9, said to the Associated Press, “This country has demonstrated over time that it is not prepared to operate as an integrated society.”

Considering what happened to the Jena 6, it seems Roberts may be right. It is ironic and sickening that comparisons can be made between these two situations that are separated by five decades and a couple of generations. The Little Rock 9 had to have civil rights organizations and the federal government intervene. Then when they got into the school, they had to endure violent racist threats and acts against them. When they reacted, the black students got punished while the white students got nothing. These students were thrust into the media spotlight. Isn’t it amazing that the students in Jena had to deal with these very same issues?

So was it all in vain? Did we lose the fight? No. The fight for access was won in many ways. However, our mistake has been to stop at legal access. Just sitting next to white students in the classroom or being in the same building does not ensure a quality education for all students. Educational success will come when our students know they have every right to sit in any public school classroom, the ability to succeed in any situation and the discipline and strength to do what it takes to excel. Fifty years ago our students and the system they entered believed good education was reserved for whites. That lie still lingers today. We have to open our students’ minds and expand their horizons to the truth.

Roberts was all too correct when he said we are not prepared. We must now come together to prepare our students to succeed in any educational environment. We must prepare them to hold themselves to high expectations. We must prepare each to reach his or her own God-given potential.

Saving Our Kids from the System By Faith and Work

The Jena 6 case, O.J. being back in the news, the recent Michael Vick issue, and all the recent protests and marches have certainly got me thinking about justice and how race plays a part in our legal system. I’ve been most especially considering our children in all this. How our children so often end up on the wrong side and how their race plays a part. Unfortunately, those who are introduced to the system as kids often remain a part of it as adults.

I’m not one who likes to spend my time and energy pointing out problems, crying and complaining over them. My philosophy is if you aren’t going to look for solutions and actively pursue them, shut up.

So what should we do? The first thing we should do is work on ourselves. We spend so much time trying to convince other people that the system is not fair. Why don’t we apply our activities, resources and attention to ourselves and our children? In other words, instead of protesting the system when one of our children is caught up in it, let’s keep our children out of the system.

There are several recent cases where a child (sometimes one with lots of potential) makes a mistake, gets caught up in the system and has his or her life ruined. Sometimes the consequences are completely unfair. Many times the whole situation could have been simply prevented. Here are some examples:

Marcus Dixon- This Georgia student with a 3.96 average and a scholarship to Vanderbilt University was convicted of statutory rape and sentenced to 10 years in prison because he had sex with a girl 2 years younger than he was.

Genarlow Wilson- This Georgia student with a 3.2 average participated in sex act with a 15-year-old when he was 17. He got the same sentence as Marcus.

Deseree Watsun- This six-year-old Florida girl was taken away in handcuffs because she had a temper tantrum at school.

All unfair but preventable. Just like these cases, much of our problem with the system can be solved by prevention. The first solution is a spiritual. Our children’s moral center needs to be strengthened. They need to discover a sense of purpose through God. Their sense of purpose will help them make appropriate and moral decisions. Second, we need to come together to educate our children. Poor education is a direct line to the criminal justice system. Third, we need to nurture our children. We must let them know that we love them, support them and believe in them. We must also model good decision-making. Finally, we must discipline our children. If we don’t, the justice system will. We failed Marcus, Genarlow and Deseree. Somebody should have had a talk with Marcus before he got into this situation. Marcus’ case happened just a couple of years prior to Genarlow’s in the same state. Genarlow should have seen what happened to Marcus and should have known better. Somebody should have taught him. Deseree needed some home discipline before she had to get it at school and finally in jail. Not just their parents should have been there, but their neighbors, their teachers and any other adults in their lives. We as adults have to come together and stop pointing the finger at others. We have to point the finger at ourselves and work on solutions. Some might say I’m blaming the victim instead of the system. No. What I’m saying is we need to stop being the victim and take control of our own destiny.

The Jena Six: A Case Worth Talking About

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?

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.

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.

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.