daniels - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-29T13:40:04Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/danielsThe “Declining Significance” of Black Historyhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-declining-significance-of2011-03-06T01:30:00.000Z2011-03-06T01:30:00.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;"><b style="line-height:17px;font-weight:bold;"><span style="line-height:24px;font-size:16pt;font-family:'Arial Black', sans-serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" color="#0000FF">Vantage Point</font></span></b></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;"><b style="line-height:17px;font-weight:bold;"><i style="line-height:17px;font-style:italic;"><span style="line-height:18px;font-size:12pt;font-family:'Arial Black', sans-serif;">Articles and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><font style="line-height:normal;" color="#0000FF">Essays by Dr. Ron Daniel</font></span></i></b></p>
<br /><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:center;" align="center"><b style="line-height:17px;font-weight:bold;"><i style="line-height:17px;font-style:italic;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3"><font style="line-height:normal;" color="#0000FF">Dedicated to the Memory of Malcolm</font></font></span></i></b></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:center;" align="center"><b style="line-height:17px;font-weight:bold;"><span style="line-height:21px;font-size:14pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" color="#0000FF">The “Declining Significance” of Black History</font></span></b></p>
<br /><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">In the middle of this year’s Black History Month I was momentarily overcome by a weird feeling. There was a kind of ho hum, mundane, routine, business as usual atmosphere about this year’s commemoration with little passion or intensity.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Maybe it was just me, but I had a sense that Black History Month was/is straying from Carter G. Woodson’s original mission of utilizing history as an instrument of restoration and liberation for people of African descent in the U.S.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Some years ago, noted scholar William Julius Wilson wrote a controversial book called<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><u style="line-height:20px;">The Declining Significance of Race</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in which he argued that class/economic disadvantage not race/racism should be the focal point of our efforts to achieve full equality.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>I disagreed with his premise, but this month I have wondered out loud if there is a “declining significance of Black History” in Black America.</font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">This concern was borne out in an article by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College for Women, in which she discussed a lively exchange with a Black student at a Historically Black College. After she delivered a Black History Month lecture,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="line-height:20px;"> </span>the student bristled at the idea that Black History should be confined to a month, suggesting that it should be interspersed with American History throughout the year. Then he proceeded to say that Black History Month was no longer relevant because we now live in a “post-racial” society. I also had an interesting experience At York College City University of New York, where I teach. In one of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="line-height:20px;"> </span>my classes, I asked about the significance of February 21<sup style="line-height:17px;">st</sup>. There was universal agreement that this year, February 21<sup style="line-height:17px;">st</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was President’s Day. But, not a single student out of a class of more than 30 students, the majority of whom are African American, Caribbean American and Continental African, had a clue that February 21<sup style="line-height:17px;">st</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was the memorial of the assassination of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Malcolm X, one of Black America’s foremost freedom fighters.</font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">It is interesting to note that it was Malcolm X who declared: “Of all our studies, History is most qualified to reward all research.” He was specifically urging Africans in America to study the freedom struggles of other oppressed people to learn lessons about how to advance the fight for liberation in the U.S.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>For Malcolm the study of history had a purpose -- education for liberation.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month, was convinced that if Africans in America were to overcome centuries of enslavement and degradation, it was critical that history and culture be used as tools to inform, inspire and encourage our people to fight for dignity, self-respect and equality.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Woodson did not teach the study of history as a mere academic exercise, or simply to cite heroes and heroines of the past or recite a litany of past historical achievements.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>It was to free our minds from the shackles of Eurocentric cultural-historical domination, to see and analyze the world through the prism of our own history, condition and aspirations and to act to fulfill our interests as a race/people accordingly.</font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">Measured against these criteria, it is not only ludicrous but dangerous to suggest that Black History Month is no longer relevant or that there is a declining significance of Black History.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Black people are understandably proud to have a Black family in the White House, but we should be absolutely clear that claims that we live in a post-racial society fly in the face of the persistence of covert and overt prejudice and structural/institutional racism in America.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Indeed, the reaction by a minority of White Americans to the election of a Black President has been nothing short of vicious.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Polls indicate that a significant number of Americans question whether Barack Obama is a legitimate citizen. The so called “birther movement” has led to several states proposing legislation that would require presidential candidates to produce valid birth certificates to secure ballot status. In the midst of Black History Month, supporters of<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>the Sons of the Confederate Veterans in the Alabama legislature have introduced a proposal to issue a license plate in honor of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. General Forrest was implicated in the massacre of Black Union troops in the 1864 battle of Fort Pillow and served as a Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>The Sons of the Confederacy are also gearing up to honor Jefferson Davis, first President of the Confederate States of America, as part of the commemoration of the 150<sup style="line-height:17px;">th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>anniversary of the South’s succession from the Union.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>The enslavement of Africans is hardly a footnote in their rationale for the dramatic act that precipitated the Civil War. One might argue that the birthers and Sons of the Confederacy are fringe groups; however, prejudice/bigotry has also reared its ugly head in the Tea Party Patriot Movement and they have become a formidable force contending for power at all levels, right up to Congress of the United States.</font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">This poisonous atmosphere should certainly be among the subjects addressed during Black History Month and other occasions during the year because it is an impediment to Africans in America fulfilling our aspirations.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>The “State of Emergency” in Black America is a direct consequence of the de-emphasis on race-based initiatives to combat the chronic economic recession, if not depression like conditions plaguing urban-inner city areas in this country. The racial consciousness developed as a result of an awareness of our history and culture dictates that we identify with rather than abandon our brothers and sisters locked in the “dark ghettos” of this Capitalist political economy. They are mired in malevolent conditions because of blatant neglect rooted in structural/institutional racism.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Not only should our knowledge of self compel us to act, it should encourage the teaching of history and culture to our young brothers and sisters as a prescription for positive self-esteem and corrective for self-destructive behavior rampant in depressed urban areas. Far from being irrelevant, a heavy dose of Black history and culture are essential ingredients in the formula to rescue and reconstruct oppressed Black communities.<span style="line-height:20px;"> </span></font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">This rescue mission will not be undertaken, however, as long as we have large numbers of Black people who are disconnected from the history of struggle that shattered racial barriers to allow millions to have access to opportunities denied to their ancestors. It will not be undertaken as long as significant numbers of Blacks who “have” are disconnected from the “have nots” because of the fantasy of a post-racial society.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>We urgently need a critical mass of Blacks of all walks of life, but particularly the newly endowed middle and upper class professionals, the rich artists, athletes and entertainers to be imbued with the history, heritage and culture, the “soul of Black folks.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="line-height:20px;"> </span>It is the grasp of the meaning of our history and culture that will enable Black people to develop a sense of accountability, duty and responsibility to contribute our time, talent and resources to uplift the Black community.</font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:17px;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">Properly understood and utilized, Black History Month and the study of Black History are still relevant to our goal of achieving justice, equity and parity in this nation.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Black History is still significant as a factor and force for change for Black people.<span style="line-height:20px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Therefore, we permit its decline or allow it to become superfluous at our own peril!<span style="line-height:20px;"> </span></font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><b style="line-height:17px;font-weight:bold;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Ron Daniels</span></b><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is President of the Institute of the Black World 21<sup style="line-height:14px;">st</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ibw21.org/" target="_blank" style="line-height:17px;font-weight:inherit;text-decoration:underline;color:#0068cf;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">www.ibw21.org</span></a><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and</span> <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com/" target="_blank" style="line-height:17px;font-weight:inherit;text-decoration:underline;color:#0068cf;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" color="#800080">www.northstarnews.com</font></span></a><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>. To send a message, arrange media interviews or speaking engagements, Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:info@ibw21.org" style="line-height:17px;font-weight:inherit;text-decoration:underline;color:#0068cf;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">info@ibw21.org</span></a></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3"><em><strong>SUBMITTED TO TheBlackList</strong></em><br /><em><strong>by <a href="http://prodigy.net" target="_blank">Rick Adams</a></strong></em></font></span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0px 0px 1.35em;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:17px;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font style="line-height:normal;" size="3">.<a href="http://www.twitter.com/theblacklist"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow theblacklist on Twitter" /></a></font></span></p></div>Blacks and the Chicago Mayor’s Race Rahm Emanuel Versus The “Willie Lynch” Syndromehttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/blacks-and-the-chicago-mayors2010-12-29T03:00:00.000Z2010-12-29T03:00:00.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><div style="text-align:left;"><font size="2"><b><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:14pt;"><a><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:'Arial Black', 'sans-serif';font-size:16pt;"><font color="#000080">Vantage Point</font></span></a></span></b></font></div>
<div style="text-align:left;"><p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:'Arial Black', 'sans-serif';font-size:12pt;"><a><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><em>Articles and Essays by</em> Dr. Ron Daniels</font></font></a></span></b></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>Not since Eugene Sawyer succeeded the late Harold Washington has there been an African American Mayor of Chicago.<span> </span> The announcement by Mayor Richard M. Daly that he will not seek re-election after two decades in office would seem to open the doors for a well-positioned Black candidate to recapture the keys to City Hall. Though Rahm Emanuel, former Chief-of -Staff for President Obama, is seen as the front-runner, it would appear that an African American led progressive coalition, like the one which was forged to elect Harold Washington could be successful.<br /></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>The problem is that since the untimely death of Harold Washington, Chicago’s first African American Mayor, the Black community has been plagued by the “Willie Lynch “Syndrome, a disease characterized by distrust, disunity, egoism and personal ambition internal to the Black community [legend has it that Willie Lynch was an Englishman brought in by colonial slave masters in Virginia to instruct them on how to control enslaved Africans]. The election of Harold Washington represented<br /> one of the finest hours in the history of Black politics in America, largely because a process was devised to inoculate the community from the Willie Lynch Syndrome.<span> </span> A broad-based coalition of grassroots <span> </span>organizations, churches, civic groups, business and<span> </span> professional organizations and leaders came together to urge a reluctant Harold Washington to be the “people’s” candidate for Mayor. This meant challenging the vaulted political machine assembled by the “Boss,” Richard J. Daley -- which included a<br />
subservient sub-machine with Black “under bosses” in the Black community.<span> </span> For decades any serious challenge to the Daly machine was thwarted by, you guessed it, Willie Lynch Syndrome – internal<br />
disunity, divide and conquer tactics and co-optation strategies employed by “Boss Man” Daley.</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>But, 1983 was different.<span> </span> Blacks from all strata and stations of life overcame their differences to focus on a common goal, finally defeating Boss Man’s machine.<span> </span> To achieve that goal, at Harold Washington’s request, Blacks registered more than 100,000 new voters and raised a ton of money. Moreover, community organizersreached out to the Latino community and liberal/progressive Whites to build what they hoped would be a winning coalition. It worked. In one of the most amazing campaigns in the latter half of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, Harold Washington won the Democratic Primary and the general election to become Chicago’s first African American Mayor.<span> </span></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>Harold Washington emerged as one of the most revered elected officials in the history of Africans in America.<span> </span> Unfortunately, after his re-election, he suffered a fatal heart attack – a tragedy which opened<br /> the door for Willie Lynch Syndrome to resurface in the politics of the Chicago Black community. For all of his skill and talent as a political leader, Harold Washington failed to transform the coalition responsible for his remarkable election campaigns into a permanent organization which could deal with issues like succession. His sudden death created a void that opportunistic and ambitious politicians were eager to fill irrespective of the needs and wishes of the community. The Harold Washington Coalition agreed to support Alderman Timothy Evans to serve out the deceased Mayor’s term.<span> </span> However, over the strenuous objections of the coalition, old line, conservative machine Democrats persuaded Eugene Sawyer, another African American Alderman, to oppose Evans. With the support of the old guard, Sawyer prevailed and in so doing undermined the coalition and the process which had produced an historic success with the election of Harold Washington.<br /></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>With the death of Harold Washington and the demise of the progressive coalition, it was back to<span> </span> politics as usual in Chicago. Richard M. Daly, son of the original Boss Man, was able to repair and<br /> resurrect the old machine, and seize the keys to City Hall. With the Willie Lynch Syndrome alive and well in Chicago, Richard M. Daly would comfortably serve as Mayor for the next two decades. <span> </span></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>As the scramble to succeed him unfolds in a city that is majority Black and Brown, any possibility of an African American Mayor recapturing City Hall has been rendered improbable by Willie Lynch Syndrome. There are twenty candidates in a crowded field including Mr. Emanuel. While a group of community leaders have embraced veteran Congressman Danny Davis, three other prominent African Americans have also declared their candidacies – State Senator James Meeks, former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, outgoing U.S. Senator Roland Burris as well as three lesser known African<br /> Americans. That’s seven African Americans in a field of twenty.<span> </span> Blacks constitute roughly 30% of the<br />
electorate with Latinos comprising a slightly higher percentage (Latinos have three candidates in the race).<span> </span> It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that under these circumstances, it will be virtually impossible for an African American, or a Latino candidate for that matter, to become Mayor. Barring the success of legal challenges, Rahm Emanuel is likely to become the next Mayor of a predominantly Black and Brown city -- aided by Willie Lynch Syndrome!</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>I cite the distressing situation in Chicago because it is symptomatic of a broader problem in Black America, the absence of political systems and processes to develop Black agendas which reflect the community’s interest and regulate/coordinate the selection of candidates for office based on a Black agenda.<span> </span> The Willie Lynch Syndrome is not only alive and well in the politics of Chicago, it’s rampant in Black communities across the country where individual “negro ambition” often outweighs the interest of<br /> the community. For example, former Congressman Harold Ford of Memphis was replaced by a liberal-progressive White candidate (who is apparently serving the community reasonably well) because several Black candidates “popped up” to run for the seat.<span> </span> With no mutually agreed upon process for narrowing the field to one or two candidates, the outcome was predictable. The Black vote was splintered between the various aspiring negroes, and the seat was won by a White candidate.<span> <br /></span></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>The same thing almost happened in New York when Congressman Major Owens decided not to seek re-election in the district once held by Shirley Chisholm.<span> </span> Four candidates popped up to succeed<br /> Congressman Owens in a district which has about 55% Black voters.<span> </span> Sensing an opening, a White city Councilman threw his hat in the ring.<span> </span> Faced with the danger of losing the seat, prominent Black leaders took to denouncing the White candidate for entering the race rather than focusing on a process to<br />
narrow the field to ensure victory for a Black candidate.<span> </span> Indeed, prominent Blacks picked their<br />
favorite candidate instead of using their influence to encourage candidates to drop out in the interest of salvaging the seat. Fortunately, in this instance, despite the Willie Lynch Syndrome, Councilwoman Yvette Clarke eked out a narrow victory to keep Shirley Chisholm’s old seat in Black hands.<span> </span> However, the victory should not have occurred by happenstance.<br /></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong>At the historic Gary National Black Political Convention in 1972, there was a major effort to instill the importance of devising and institutionalizing political processes and systems within the Black community, Including developing Black agendas and selecting or endorsing candidates for public office. Creating political accountability structures which evaluate candidates’ performances based on a Black agenda was also viewed as an indispensible dimension of political process and systems in the Black Community.<span> </span> Though never adopted on a comprehensive scale, these ideas/concepts were part of the political dialogue in Black America for a considerable period of time and they were implemented in a number of communities across the country.<span> </span> Today, our community suffers from historical amnesia when it comes to these concepts/ideas about political process and systems.<span> </span> As a consequence, Willie Lynch Syndrome is running amok and wreaking havoc on our communities.<br /></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><strong><span> </span>It’s time for a concerted national effort to reassert the value of the kind of political processes and systems envisioned at the Gary Black Political Convention. This is precisely why the Institute of the<br /> Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century (IBW) proposed the idea of creating the Shirley Chisholm Presidential Accountability Commission at the State of the Black World Conference in New Orleans in 2008. Composed of leading scholars and activists, the mission of the Commission is to monitor the performance of presidential administrations as it relates to issues of vital concern to Black people and provide analyses, assessments and report cards to Black America.<span> </span> Moving forward, through IBW’S Damu Smith Leadership Development and Organizer Training Institute, hopefully, a critical mass of people will receive information and the skills to reintroduce concepts/ideas about political processes and systems in Black communities across the nation.<span> </span> It’s time to eradicate the debilitating effects of Willie Lynch Syndrome in the politics of Black America!</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:left;" class="MsoNormal"><em><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">Dr. Ron Daniels</span></b> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong>is President of the Institute of the Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website</strong></span></font> <a href="http://www.ibw21.org/"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="3">www.ibw21.org</font></strong></span></a> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="3">and</font></strong></span> <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com/"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="3">www.northstarnews.com</font></strong></span></a> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="3">. To send a message, arrange media interviews or speaking engagements,<br /> Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at</font></strong></span> <a href="mailto:info@ibw21.org"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><strong><font size="3">info@ibw21.org</font></strong></span></a><font face="Calibri" size="3"><strong> </strong></font></font></em></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font face="Calibri" size="3"><strong><br /></strong></font></font></p></div>The Haiti Support Project Pilgrimage and Assessment Delegationhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-haiti-support-project2010-10-10T00:30:00.000Z2010-10-10T00:30:00.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><br /><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828520345,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3828520345?profile=original" /></p>
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<br /><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><font><font size="3"><i>Statement by</i></font></font> <font><font size="3"><i><b>Dr. Ron Daniels</b></i></font></font><font><font size="3"><i>,<br /> President, Institute of the Black World 21</i></font></font><sup><font><font size="3"><i>st</i></font></font></sup><font><font size="3"><i><br />
Century, Founder, Haiti Support Project</i></font></font></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>October 7-11, the Haiti Support Project (HSP) will lead its third Delegation to Haiti since the disastrous earthquake. This reflects our ongoing commitment to stand with our Haitian sisters and brothers in this<br /> hour of grave national crisis. Indeed, HSP is no stranger to the Haitian people. 2010 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of HSP. Over the years we have organized numerous delegations to Haiti and supported a range of humanitarian and developmental projects and initiatives throughout the country.</font> <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>This visit will include our annual Pilgrimage to the town of Milot near Cap Haitien in the northern region of the country to tour the magnificent Citadel and Sans Souci Palace. This aspect of our visit is in support of our Model City Initiative which is designed to transform the lovely town of Milot into a Mecca for<br /> cultural-historical tourism as the foundation for people based economic development. Our goal is to expose African Americans and friends of Haiti from the U.S. to the history, culture and heritage of Haiti by visiting one of the great monuments to freedom and self-determination in the world. We encourage every person of<br />
African descent and friend of Haiti to visit the Citadel at least once in a lifetime! As<br />
part of the Pilgrimage, each year HSP contributes a large quantity of school supplies to the</font> <font><i>Conseil de Reflexion pour le Développement de Milot</i></font> <font>(CRDM), the development committee of Milot, to enable hundreds of children to attend school. Scholarships are also provided for a select number of students. Last year HSP allocated funds to start a modest micro-credit lending program. This year we are making a grant from the HSP Haiti Relief Fund for CRDM to launch a cash-for-work jobs training and civic education project to employ scores of young people. This project will be operated in consultation with ISPAN. In<br />
addition to the tour of the Citadel, the Delegation will consult with CRDM, officials of the government and the private sector about the<br />
impact of the earthquake to determine what additional resources are required to meet the needs of the influx of displaced residents from Port Au Prince. HSP made an emergency contribution from the Haiti<br />
Relief Fund immediately after the earthquake to provide food and essential supplies to displaced persons and in collaboration with the Joe Beasley Foundation facilitated a shipment of medical supplies and<br />
equipment to Sacred Heart Hospital.</font> <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>Beyond Cap Haitien and Milot, the Delegation will survey the damage in Port Au Prince and the Central Plateau, meet leaders and residents of affected communities, Ministers of Government and leaders from the private sector and civil society. The Delegation will also receive a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. The objective of the assessment is to receive updates on the progress of the relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. We are especially interested in gauging the progress of the Oasis Institute, an initiative started by Lionel Pressoir and Destination Haiti Foundation to provide a safe environment, counseling and a quality education for eight hundred to a thousand children made orphans by the earthquake. HSP views the<br /> Oasis Institute as a model that could potentially be incorporated into government social welfare policy. Therefore, fulfilling the vision/mission of the Oasis Institute is a major priority of HSP [we made a grant to Oasis Institute during our visit in May].</font> <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>Beside contributions/grants in Milot, HSP will provide an additional grant to the SEEDS Project of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) to assist farmers to purchase seeds to plant their crops, and an initial grant to the Mouvement d’Unite de la Communate Par I’integration (MUCI) for a job training and civic education project. These grants will bring the total contributed to grassroots/community based organizations by HSP from the Haiti Relief Fund to $92,000.</font> <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>The assessment will also focus on business/investment opportunities as part of the Haitian Economic Empowerment Initiative HSP has established with the Joe Beasley Foundation. The Joe Beasley<br /> Foundation is also collaborating with HSP on an extraordinary initiative --</font> <font><i><b>Pilgrimage of Hope: a Cruise for Conscious People Committed to Rebuild Haiti</b></i></font> <font>– a humanitarian, cultural enrichment and economic empowerment experience that seeks to bring 2,300 people to Haiti October 3-10, 2011 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas. HSP will launch a major media/marketing campaign upon our return to the U.S. to make this ambitious initiative a reality. We hope the Government of Haiti and the private sector will be supportive of this powerful Initiative.</font> <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>Finally, like previous HSP visits this year, it is our hope that this Delegation will serve as a vehicle to shine a spotlight on the tremendous struggle of the Haitian people to restore their families and reconstruct the nation despite enormous obstacles. We believe Haiti’s greatest asset is the strength and resiliency of its<br /> people, whose ideas and energy must be harnessed if we are to witness the emergence of a new Haiti. The people must be included in the process. The Haitian people should know that HSP is a staunch ally<br />
that will continue to mobilize humanitarian and development assistance in the U.S. while vigorously advocating that our government honor its commitments to help Haiti rebuild better and stronger.<br /><br /></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" align="justify"><font>L’Union Fait La Force!</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">For the Love of Haiti!</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Ron Daniels</span></font></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Haiti Support Project Delegation List</u></span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Honorable Hazelle P. Rogers</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, State Representative, Lauderhill, FL</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Julianne Malveaux</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, <br /> President, Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, NC</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Victoria Rowell</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Actress, humanitarian, Los Angeles</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Joe Beasley</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, President, African Ascensions, Atlanta</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Erin D. Hackney</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Vice-President, Joe Beasley Foundation, Atlanta</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Carlyle Holder</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, President/CEO, Corrections Management and Communications Group, Orlando, FL</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Dean Decker</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Treasurer/Director, Broward County Building Officials Association, Miami</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Kenneth Koch</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Director, Broward County Building Officials Association, Miami</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Tatiana Z. Walker</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Student, Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, NC</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Natasha Lewis</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Student, York College City University of New York, Jamaica, New York</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Herb Boyd</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Staff Writer, New York Amsterdam News, Reporter, Free Speech <br /> T.V., New York</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Eddie Harris</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Award winning filmmaker, Free Speech T.V., New York</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Richard Muhammad</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Editor-in-Chief, The Final Call Newspaper, Chicago</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Ellen Ratner</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, News Talk Radio, Washington, D.C.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Hulbert James</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, Board of Directors, Institute of the Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century and Haiti Support Project Working <br /> Group, Miami</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Mary France-Daniels</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, <br /> Board of Directors, Institute of the Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century and <br />
Haiti Support Project Working Group, New York</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Ron Daniels</span></b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;">, President, Institute of the Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century, Founder, Haiti Support Project, New <br /> York</span></font></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3">Forwarded by</font></font></span> <a href="theradioactivist@prodigy.net">theradioactivist@prodigy.net</a><br /></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font><font size="3"><br /></font></font></span></p></div>Marching on Ballot Boxes to Protect and Advance Our Interestshttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/marching-on-ballot-boxes-to-12010-10-10T00:18:47.000Z2010-10-10T00:18:47.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><br /><div><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;font-size:14pt;"><a><span style="font-family:'Arial Black', 'sans-serif';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;"><font color="#000080">Vantage Point</font></span></a></span></b></font></div>
<div><p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><font size="2"><i><span style="font-family:'Arial Black', 'sans-serif';color:#000000;"><a><font size="3"><span style="color:#000000;">Articles and Essays b<font color="#000080">y Dr. Ron Daniels</font></span></font></a></span></i></font></span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>In my last article I posed the question of whether Black voters should rescue the Democrats again in the critical mid-term elections on November 2<sup>nd</sup>. It is clear that the Democrats are in serious danger of losing control of the House and Senate. Therefore, once again the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is frantically reaching out to Black voters to ride to the rescue. I complained about the fact that the Democrats need the Black vote but have yet to put up the resources necessary for organizations in our community to do the job. As fate would have it, I had an opportunity to Guest Host for Warren Ballentine the same week my article hit, and most of the show was devoted to callers responding to the question of whether we should rescue the Democrats. There was a range of opinions but, most people seemed to understand what one caller articulated incisively. She said, “We’re not voting to rescue the Democrats, we’re voting to rescue ourselves.”</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>In a nutshell, the caller captured why Black voters should march on ballot boxes in <br />
massive numbers to cast what will be the decisive ballots in scores of crucial races on November 2. Yes, I am frustrated and angry with the paternalistic attitude of the DNC and disappointed that President Obama has not had the courage to be more forthright in targeting policies to address the state of emergency in Black America. My last article was intended to “fire a shot across the bow” of the DNC and the White House to make them aware of the dissatisfaction among some leaders and constituencies in Black America. However, I am politically mature and secure enough to understand that it is absolutely not in our best interest to allow our frustration and disappointment to lead to a state of apathy and inaction that cedes the election to our arch adversaries. We have our problems with the Democrats but let us be clear, the “Tea Party Patriots,” rabid rightwing talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the Fox News reactionaries, Sarah Palin, Jim DeMint and the radical conservatives are not our friends. They are our enemies, and their policy agenda is not only detrimental to Black interests, it is antithetical to the interests of poor and working people, the middle class, women, people of color nationalities, immigrants and lesbian and gay people. The rightwing <br />
reactionaries are threatened by the “browning of America,” fearing that it will <br />
undermine their notion of the “cherished American way of life” – which are code <br />
words for the good old days of Euro-centric ethnic and cultural dominance. They want to turn the clock back, but we must make it clear that we are not going back!</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>While I retain the right to critique President Obama’s performance like any other <br />
President, particularly as it relates to the interest and aspirations of Black people, it is clear to me that his vision and agenda for America is vastly different than that of disparate and dangerous elements within the Grand Obstructionist Party (GOP). Though I may disagree with some of his tactics and compromises, his goal of achieving universal health care was correct. And, even with a flawed bill, he accomplished what no other President has been able to achieve in the past 100 years – at least provide access to affordable health insurance for some 30 million people. His vision for a “green economy” to lessen the dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate global warming and create millions of good paying jobs is cutting edge and exemplary. <span><br /><br /></span> The financial regulatory reform legislation, which includes the new Consumer Protection Agency, will not go as far as I like (most of his initiatives do not), but it is better than leaving the bandits on Wall Street totally unchecked. There is also the prospect of passing some version of the Employee Free Choice Act which would help even the playing field for workers attempting to organize unions in the face of recalcitrant corporations. While not specifically targeted to Blacks, all of these measures benefit Black people. <span><br /></span></strong></font></font></span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong><span><br /></span></strong></font></font></span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>And, they are measures which the obstructionist party vehemently opposes. <br /></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>The Obama administration also pressed for the elimination of disparities in sentencing between powdered Cocaine, which is widely used by Whites and crack Cocaine which is more prevalent in Black communities. The disparities in <br />
sentencing has had a devastating effect on the Black community in terms of sending thousands of mostly young Black men to prison for possession of relatively small quantities of crack Cocaine while their White counterparts received a slap on the wrist for possession of the same amount of powdered Cocaine. After years of strenuous advocacy and lobbying by civil rights/human rights organizations, legislation was recently passed at the behest of the White House which dramatically narrows the disparities in sentencing. This will have a direct, positive impact on the Black community. Moreover, President Obama has restored cuts to historically Black colleges and universities, and his Office of Urban Affairs has initiated some innovative programs that will benefit Black communities. These policies notwithstanding, it is imperative that we continue to pressure his administration to target jobs and other economic programs to address the staggering levels of unemployment and joblessness in the Black community. The bottom line is, we <br />
cannot count on Obama to move our agenda because he’s Black. Like any other President, it is our duty/responsibility to unapologetically advance an agenda that will promote and protect Black interests. However, we must never make the mistake of” jumping out of the frying pan into the fire” when it is clear that our adversaries are determined to reverse the progress we have made with blood and sacrifice. We must not sit idly by and permit our enemies to undo our hard won progress.</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>So, whether the DNC coughs up the resources or not, we must do as we have always done, utilize our own creativity and marshal the resolve to protect and advance our interests. This is the message Melanie Campbell has been delivering to the Unity Coalition, convened to educate and mobilize Blacks in key States to understand what’s at stake in the Mid-term elections. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton are both in motion using their influence to motivate Black voters to march on ballot boxes November 2 with the objective of aiding the Democrats to <br />
maintain control of the House and Senate. Moreover, the successful <i>One Nation Working Together Rally</i> in Washington, D.C. should galvanize the entire progressive movement to counter and turn back the reactionary tide of Tea Party Patriots and radical conservatives who hope to be swept into power November 2. <span><br /></span></strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><font size="2"><font size="4"><strong>We may be frustrated and disappointed, but we’re not stupid. Let’s march on ballot boxes, not to rescue the Democrats per se, but because they are the best vehicle to protect our interests and aspirations at the moment. Ultimately Africans in America and progressives still need to build something akin to the Rainbow Coalition or the Freedom Party which is emerging in New York State as a more potent force for fundamental change. But, until we have achieved that goal, we must defend against the ferocious onslaught of the rabid right. We must march on ballot boxes in massive numbers November 2, 2010!</strong></font></font></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">Dr. Ron Daniels</span></b> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">is President of the Institute of the Black World 21<sup>st</sup> Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. <br />His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website</span> <a href="http://www.ibw21.org/"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">www.ibw21.org</span></a> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">and</span> <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com/"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">www.northstarnews.com</span></a> <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;"><br /> To send a message, arrange media interviews or speaking engagements, Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at</span> <a href="mailto:info@ibw21.org"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:10pt;">info@ibw21.org</span></a><font size="3">.</font></font></p>
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<br /><br /></div>The Spirit of Fela Kuti Lives!https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-spirit-of-fela-kuti-lives2009-12-31T15:22:17.000Z2009-12-31T15:22:17.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><b>by Dr. Ron Daniels</b>:
One of the most exhilarating and fulfilling experiences I have had recently was attending the Broadway Musical Fela, which depicts the life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the flamboyant, defiant, multitalented, artistic phenom who challenged corruption and dictatorial rule in his native Nigeria and Africa. In a word, the Play is Phenomenal!
I first learned about Fela Kuti from Sandino Thompson, the son of Wayne Thompson, my long time friend and partner in struggle, now deceased. Sandino picked me up during one of my visits to Oklahoma City and happened to be playing this amazing CD. When I asked who it was, he informed me that it was Fela Kuti and promised to burn a CD and send it to me – which he did. I liked the music so well that I subsequently purchased another of Fela’s CDs. I frequently enjoy listening to his music because of the political messages in the lyrics and the incredible beat. But, I had no idea about the life and legacy of this remarkable freedom fighter until my wife/partner and I had the privilege of experiencing the powerful performance of Fela at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. Now I have a better grasp of the meaning and significance of the powerful lyrics I have been listening to for the past few years.
Fela Kuti was a man in search of an authentic musical form as an expression of his creative genius and restless political spirit. His journey to musical greatness is the story of the evolution of a Pan African revolutionary. Along the path to stardom, Fela listened to, studied and learned from an eclectic array of musicians and artists from John Coltrane to James Brown, Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, the Last Poets, the powerful Luciano “Chano” Pozo Gonzales and other Afro-Cuban artists. Out of these sources he forged Afro-Beat, the musical genre that would make him one of the most acclaimed artists on the continent and the world. But, Fela’s ambitions were not confined to creating a new musical genre. Guided by the spirit of his mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, a warrior woman/freedom fighter in her own right, he was eager to utilize his music to impart messages of freedom, dignity and liberation to the masses of people in Nigeria and the African World.
This dimension of his journey took him to the United States where his multifaceted experiences had a profound impact on his political outlook. Arriving in the States with his propensity for womanizing, his “game” was checked by a revolutionary breed of sisters in the era of Black Power, who were interested in cultivating Fela’s mind and consciousness as a pre-condition for their company. It was a great incentive. Fela was exposed to the Black Panther Party, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King at the height of the civil rights/human rights/Black Power movement in the U.S. He became an avid reader, digesting the works of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey among other great freedom fighters. Like others from the continent who came before him, the experience in the Diaspora left an indelible imprint on his consciousness. It was the final element in the making of a revolutionary artist!
From the stage of the Shrine, his nightclub in one of the most downtrodden and dangerous neighborhoods in Lagos, Fela’s scintillating Afro Beat song and dance performances would become the source of his strident call for African cultural authenticity and excoriating critique of corrosive corruption and brutal dictatorship. He emerged as a larger than life figure in the hearts and minds of the masses of Nigerians and Africans across the continent aspiring for a better life in post-colonial era. Needless to say his persistent critiques and enormous popularity did not sit well with the dictatorship. He was viewed as a threat that had to be silenced. He was arrested and imprisoned more than 200 times. On some occasions he was beaten and tortured. Still he refused to be silenced.
As depicted in the Play, in the most savage attack against him, his private, armed compound Kalakuta was stormed and destroyed by the Nigerian military. Scores of his followers were wounded. And, in the most tragic incident of all, his beloved mother, Funmilayo was hurled out of a second story window to her death. Still Fela’s music, his voice would not be silenced. Inspired by the spirit of resistance and courage of his mother, he continued his fearless, uncompromising criticisms of corruption and dictatorship until his untimely death in 1997 at age 58. An estimated one million people turned out for his funeral -- a testimony to his allure as a revolutionary artist and self-professed “Black Power Man.”
Now I know who Fela is! He is a freedom fighter in the spirit of Paul Robeson, Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Hugh Masekela and Harry Belafonte who have used their art, fame and popularity as weapons in the struggle for liberation. As thousands flock to see the awesome Play about Fela’s life and legacy on Broadway (many of whom are a new generation of potential freedom fighters), hopefully it will intensify the fire of resistance to corruption and dictatorship so rampant on the African continent today. We need legions of revolutionary artists and a multitude of “Shrines” in Africa and the Pan African World as bastions from which a 21st century cultural revolution can emanate; a cultural revolution that will reclaim the vision of our forebears who advocated the total decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean as the basis for the resources of Africa and the Pan African world being utilized to uplift the masses of African people. The squandering of Africa’s resources today in the face of the misery and suffering of the masses of African people is nothing short of pathetic.
What the Play Fela reminds us is that there are those who are willing to utilize their talent as artists to become freedom fighters, courageously embracing the cause of “African redemption” at all cost. Let a new generation of artists and activists pick up the torch so that our ancestors will not have struggled, suffered, bled and achieved in vain. We owe collective gratitude to Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith for having the consciousness and commitment to be the co-producers of this magnificent play. Long live the spirit of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti!
<b>Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website <a href="http://www.ibw21.org" target="_blank">www.ibw21.org</a> and <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com">www.northstarnews.com</a> . He can be reached via email at <a href="http://ibw21.org" target="_blank">info@ibw21.org</a> .</b></div>Job Losses Pose Danger for Obama and the Democratshttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/job-losses-pose-danger-for-12009-11-27T18:31:11.000Z2009-11-27T18:31:11.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><b>Vantage Point</b>
Articles and Essays by <i>Dr. Ron Daniels</i>
There is a rebellion against Washington brewing across the land, and that’s bad news for President Obama and the Democrats. Unemployment is 10.2% and climbing. According to a recent poll, some 30% of American families are feeling the pain of the dramatic downturn in the economy, which has produced the highest level of joblessness in decades. Never mind that the devastating economic collapse was inherited by President Obama; what people care about is whether they see the government addressing their pain, whether any visible actions are being taken that give them hope that their job opportunities will improve in the near future. While growing joblessness is the issue uppermost in the minds of millions of Americans, what they are witnessing in Washington is a protracted and divisive struggle over health care reform. And, on Wall Street, people are flabbergasted to see the stock market rising, bank and investment company profits soaring and monstrous bonuses for employees of the very companies whose reckless behavior precipitated the economic crisis. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people continue to lose their homes as the depression in the mortgage industry continues.
It is not that health care reform is irrelevant. In a nation where nearly 50 million people do not have health care and the prices of premiums continue to skyrocket, health care reform unquestionably must be a major national priority. Indeed, President Obama is correct to argue that the long term well being of the economy depends on bending the cost curve for health care downward. The problem is that people are less concerned about health care reform when their families and communities are being ravaged by joblessness. In this regard, there appears to be a dangerous disconnect between the Obama administration and Main Street.
Unfortunately, the brewing rebellion is yet another consequence of the timidity of President Obama in dealing with the huge crisis he inherited from the Bush-Cheney administration. Some argue that he has his priorities backward because the economy does not appear to be at the top of the agenda. For those who hold that view, it may be useful to remember that health care reform was not the first issue President Obama targeted for action/resolution; it was the economy. The first months of his administration were devoted to rolling out a new economic stimulus package and bail out packages designed to rescue the ailing financial, auto and mortgage sectors of the economy. But as Paul Krugman has repeatedly pointed out, President Obama’s stimulus package was too small to achieve the kind of job generation required to ameliorate the pain around the country.
Now President Obama is in a terrible bind. An inadequate stimulus package is “stimulating” far too slowly to reverse the tide of joblessness spreading across the country at a time when he is compelled to push through some form of health care reform legislation. After months of investing major political capital in this effort, the failure to produce something, no matter how modest, would be disastrous. The Republicans, who are determined to see him fail, are getting traction by howling about the lack of results of the stimulus package, the growing deficit and expansion of government. Sensing a political opening with the 2010 mid-term elections approaching, they are opportunistically tapping into and fueling the rage boiling across the country over the issue of jobs.
The question is how will President Obama and the Democrats respond. The President is scheduled to convene a Jobs Summit in the very near future, and that is a step in the right direction. However, it is not likely that the anger across the country will be abated by mere summitry. If there was ever a time for President Obama to be bold and decisive, it’s now. He needs to unveil a substantial job generating stimulus package and dare Republicans and vacillating “Blue Dog” Democrats to oppose it. And, he needs to be bold enough to propose that public service employment/jobs be an integral component of the initiative.
There was a time when Democrats routinely advocated that the government be an “employer of last resort.” With the successful Republican assault on “big government” and “social programs” beginning with the Reagan era, the idea of public service jobs as a remedy for unemployment disappeared from the political discourse. Democrats were cowered into refusing to consider initiatives that the Republicans might label as liberal “tax and spend” government proposals. However, the current crisis offers President Obama and the Democrats a golden opportunity to resurrect the concept of a full employment economy with public service jobs being part of the formula. Whether it is in a blue state or red state, most sane Americans want a job, no matter who provides it, that will allow them to bring home some green. So, rather than cower and be timid, President Obama and the Democrats should seize the moment to deliver a desperately needed jobs initiative and educate the American public on the importance of government as an employer of last resort in times of crisis.
President Obama now faces a critical moment of truth in his young presidency. With a rebellion brewing across the country because of massive joblessness, he must act boldly or the Republicans will ride the wave of discontent to an astonishing victory in the 2010 elections. A party whose philosophy and policies provoked the greatest economic catastrophe since the Great Depression and was repudiated by the voters in 2008 will likely regain control of the House and Senate, rendering the duration of President Obama’s tenure miserable. It is an ironic circumstance which can and must be prevented with bold leadership by President Obama and the Democrats.
<b>Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website <a href="http://www.ibw21.org" target="_blank">www.ibw21.org</a> and <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com">www.northstarnews.com</a> . He can be reached via email at <a href="http://ibw21.org" target="_blank">info@ibw21.org</a></b>.</div>IBW Report Card on Obama, April 24, Washington, DChttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/ibw-report-card-on-obama-april2009-04-05T23:30:00.000Z2009-04-05T23:30:00.000ZSendMeYourNewshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/SendMeYourNews<div><p style="text-align:left;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828508056,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="" width="816" height="1056" /></p>
Also see - <a href="http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/events/president-barack-obama-the">http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/events/president-barack-obama-the</a></div>The Obama Presidency: Will Progressives Offer a Vision For a More Perfect Union?https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-obama-presidency-will2009-03-30T02:23:04.000Z2009-03-30T02:23:04.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><b>Dr. Ron Daniels:</b>
As it became increasingly clear that Barack Obama was poised to make history as the first African American President of the United States, it was also clear that this was potentially a big moment for the progressive movement – a time to articulate a vision for a new America and to organize to advance an agenda for reform and fundamental change. As the Obama presidency unfolds, the question is whether the progressive movement is prepared to seize the opportunity presented by this remarkable moment in history.
In my view, the major theme of America’s history is the perpetual struggle to define the ultimate nature of “a more perfect union.” When George W. Bush proudly proclaimed himself a “strict constructionist” during his campaign for President in 2000, he was associating himself with a political tendency within the conservative movement that has sought to narrowly/literally interpret the Constitution in ways that would restrict democracy to White men with property, power and privilege. Indeed, the system which was birthed in 1787 was essentially “democracy for the few,” with women, Blacks, Native Americans and White men without property excluded from the franchise. The fate of the infant nation was placed in the hands of White men with property.
The genius of the Constitution, however, is its “elasticity.” Through social and political movements, it can be stretched or constricted to include or exclude constituencies and categories of rights based on how it is interpreted. Historically, arrayed against the strict constructionists has been liberal-left-progressive movements which have sought to stretch the Constitution to include those initially locked out and to expand civil liberties, civil and social rights in the quest to achieve a “more perfect union.”
The Bill of Rights to the Constitution, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, anti-trust laws and other statutes regulating business/corporations, labor rights, the reaffirmation of civil rights for Blacks and minorities, expansion of rights for women, consumer protection, environmental protection and recognition of rights of lesbian and gay people are a direct legacy of women and men, Democrats, Republicans, Socialists, Communists, independents, elected and non-elected leaders – the liberal-left-progressive forces that have struggled to expand democracy. Taken together with the social safety network created during the New Deal and expanded by subsequent moderate-liberal administrations, a fragile “culture of rights” was emerging to protect workers, poor people and the middle class against the rapacious nature of unbridled Capitalism.
With the election of Ronald Reagan, a strict constructionist, we witnessed the opening salvo in the strategic effort by the conservatives to turn back the clock, to reverse the minimal gains achieved by liberal-left-progressive forces as a result of generations of hard fought, often bloody struggles. With the firing of members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Association (PATCO), Reagan declared outright war on labor while unabashedly advocating economic policies to benefit corporations and the wealthy. He launched a ferocious attack on affirmative action and race based remedies and began the process of undermining the culture of rights by ripping huge holes in the social safety net.
Reagan gained substantial popular support for his anti-labor and pro-corporate policies by persuading a sizeable segment of the American electorate that social programs were a heavy burden on the backs of the people. Employing race as a tactic to divide and exploit, there was the suggestion that Blacks and minorities were the exclusive beneficiaries of social programs. The rise to hegemony of the right gained momentum in 1994 when Republicans took control of both Houses of Congress. The rightward tide was so strong that Bill Clinton governed as a centrist who embraced some of the Republicans’ flagship initiatives, e.g., downsizing government, ending “welfare as we know it” and lobbying for the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The march to rightwing supremacy was consummated with the seizure of power by George W. Bush in the flawed 2000 election – ushering in one of the most reckless, corrupt, greed driven and dangerous eras in American history.
Consequently, in my mind, there was no doubt that defeating the forces of the right was an absolute imperative in the 2008 election. The first order of business was to stop the damage and create space for progressives to maneuver. That an African American named Barack Obama was capturing the imagination of the nation and the world with his pledge to bring “Change” we could believe in was all the more promising. However, we should never have had any illusions that Obama was committed to or could by himself have the capacity to foster the kind of major reforms and fundamental change progressives would envision for a new America. This is not to say that what President Obama is doing is insignificant. The policy recommendations he is advancing mark a decided shift from the catastrophic policies of the Reagan-Bush era. But his incremental approach lacks an overarching vision and the bold policy prescriptions necessary to expand the culture of rights severely constricted by the reign of the conservatives.
At a time when the Republicans, with their mascot “Joe the Plumber,” are accusing President Obama of leading the nation down the path to Socialism or the “Europeanization” of America, progressives should be seizing the opportunity created by the greatest crisis since the Great Depression to educate the American people about the urgent need for far ranging and fundamental change. But, progressives seem locked in a mode of critiquing and refining Obama’s incremental agenda. This may be due to the utter relief of being rid of the horrific years under George W. Bush. However, relief from Bush is not enough. Now is the time for the progressive movement to boldly articulate its vision and program for a more perfect union. If we fail to act, we may miss our moment!
<b>Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. He is the host of An Hour with Professor Ron Daniels, Monday-Friday mornings on WWRL Radio 1600 AM in New York and Night Talk, Wednesday evenings on WBAI 99.5 FM, Pacifica New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website <a href="http://www.ibw21.org">www.ibw21.org</a> and <a href="http://www.northstarnews.com">www.northstarnews.com</a> . He can be reached via email at <a href="info@ibw21.org">info@ibw21.org</a>. or (888) 774-2921</b></div>Making the American Flag “Our Flag”https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/making-the-american-flag-our2009-02-09T05:00:00.000Z2009-02-09T05:00:00.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div>Vantage Point
Articles and Essays by Dr. Ron Daniels
Making the American Flag “Our Flag”
February 9, 2009
On Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C., there was a veritable sea of Red, White and Blue as some two million proud Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Black people, furiously waved their American Flags on the National Mall. This overt expression of affection for the American Flag was somewhat out of character for Blacks, who have been understandably ambivalent about America’s sacred symbols. No doubt joining in this patriotic display was part of the pride the vast majority of Blacks felt in witnessing one of the most extraordinary “strides towards freedom” this nation has ever achieved – the swearing-in of the first Black President of the United States. But, I was not among those waving the Flag on that historic day. I am still ambivalent. I know what the Black National Anthem and the Red. Black and Green Flag mean to me, however, I don’t see myself, my people in the Red, White and Blue.
One of the most critical lessons to be learned from the study of history is that culture is often a source of resiliency, resistance and inspiration for an oppressed people. As America’s most patient patriots [African Americans have fought in every one of this nation’s wars], we need never apologize for any hesitancy to wave or display the Flag or to sing the National Anthem. I prefer the ambivalence and resistance toward the Flag because the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Africans in America are not imbedded in this nation’s sacred symbols. The same could be said of Native Americans and other people of color. Euro-ethnics have typically had a different feeling towards the Anthem and the Flag because America was founded as a White nation, where opportunities for Whites have been far more abundant than for Africans, Native Americans, Mexicans, Asians and other people of color. As Malcolm X aptly put it in referring to the experience of Africans in America, “you didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on you.”
I must admit that the Black vocalists who are increasingly tapped to sing the Anthem really add a lot of soul and passion to the lyrics. But, I cringe when I here the words “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” It’s the “our flag” phrase that I find infuriating. In 1812 when Frances Scott Keyes crafted the “star spangled banner,” 95% of Africans in America had no flag. Our forebears were enslaved on plantations where our free labor was yielding wealth for free White men with power and privilege to enjoy. Other lines within the four verses of the Anthem are also laced with irony, contradiction and hypocrisy. In the third verse one finds the words: “No refuge could save the hirelings or slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” The fourth verse begins: “Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and war’s desolation.” Most Africans in America were not “free” and their homes were the wretched slave quarters!
Let me be perfectly clear, I am willing to stand up with pride to salute the Flag and sing the National Anthem, but it must be a new flag and a new anthem. When Jean Jacque Dessalines declared Haiti the first Black Republic in the world in 1804, the Haitian freedom fighters didn’t keep the French Flag. They created a new flag with white removed as an official color to signify the dawning of a new day for the new nation. When Blacks in South Africa finally triumphed over apartheid, a new flag and anthem were created to reflect the promise and prospects of the “new South Africa.”
Similarly, I want the American Flag to be “our” flag, to be one that represents the history, aspirations and promise for all the people who have come to be a part of this nation. Equally important our flag must represent a nation which has apologized for the transgressions of the past and repaired the damages suffered by Native Americans, Africans and other people of color during the course of America’s history. Americans must never forget that everyone who lives in this country is the beneficiary of the conquest and dispossession of the native peoples who were the original inhabitants of this land. There is still a trail of tears and broken treaties which must be acknowledged accompanied by an ungrudging policy of systematic repair of the damage done to Native Americans. Moreover, at a minimum, an acknowledgement is appropriate for the seizure of territory from Mexico in 1848 and the subsequent mistreatment of Mexicans in this country. The same is in order for the unconscionable use of quasi-slave labor, “coolies” in the construction of the railroads and other public works projects and decades of discrimination, exclusion and mistreatment of the Chinese.
Finally, Americans need to remember that the “peculiar institution” of enslavement and generations of segregation, lynching and exclusion damaged and stymied the growth and evolution of Africans in America – the effects of which are still painfully evident today. The government of the United States, expressing the will of “we the people,” must have the vision and courage to affirmatively and definitely address, redress and repair the damage done to Africans in America and other peoples cited above to erase my ambivalence/resistance to embracing the Flag and Anthem.
In other words, the Flag must represent a more perfect union based on a New Covenant for a new America: a Covenant which wholeheartedly embraces the notion of the United States as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society with a system of political and economic democracy that ensures “liberty and justice for all.” And, there must be new or modified sacred symbols which reflect this new America. Then and only then will I embrace the American Flag as “our flag.”
<b>Dr Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. He is the host of An Hour with Professor Ron Daniels, Monday-Friday mornings on WWRL Radio 1600 AM in New York and Night Talk, Wednesday evenings on WBAI 99.5 FM, Pacifica New York. His articles and essay also appear on the IBW website <a href="http://www.ibw21.org">www.ibw21.org</a> and <a href="http://stateoftheblackworld.blogspot.com">http://stateoftheblackworld.blogspot.com</a> .He can be reached via email at <a href="info@ibw21.org">info@ibw21.org
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