Reparations Means "Squeezing" Black Clinton Supporters

I saw this on CNN earlier today.

There was a report that Black supporters of Hillary Clinton claim feeling "the squeeze" from their family and friends who support Senator Obama. I immediately thought: they should feel the squeeze. Here's why:

Everyone says that on the issues they are essentially the same. That being the case, on the issues it does not matter for whom you cast your vote, right? Their policy will be similar. So, after that we must look at the higher issues.

For Black Americans the issue should be clear. Yes, the struggle for Civil Rights was in effect to give us freedom. And yes, you are free to choose. God gave us free choice; and, that choice is to uphold our responsibilities to Him or to shirk them. Period.

The same holds true for the Black Community. Negroes, we are free. Once there was a time when the Slave Trade forced us together. Once there was a time when the horrors of slavery caused us to cling to each other. Yes, even once there was a time when we were forced to be together. And, when that forced togetherness was uprooted, there came the time when we ran to get away from each other.

And now, we are free to choose. We are free to choose whether we will continue to push for the Cause of our people or if we will be satisfied with our own wellbeing and turn our backs on others. We are free to choose ungratefulness, and turn our backs on the legacy of Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Emmitt Till and the countless others who have died, been beaten, and suffered so that we could see a Black man rise to these heights. This is not racism: it is our contribution to the legacy of the Civil Rights struggle; it is our way to follow the Lord's commands and honor our mothers and fathers who could not see this day.

Reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters. The must come to understand where there first loyalties should lay. They say: "Bill Clinton was a friend to the Black Community." They say: "The Clintons are responsible for my political career." But, is it not the struggles of our ancestors - the hardships they faced - that made it even possible for a man like Bill Clinton to be a "friend?" And, what could be more responsible for the political careers of our leaders than the blood of our fathers and mothers, which still stains the walls and streets?

So, it is true that reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters because we cannot be selfish and defer the dreams of those who continue to hope from their positions in the Upper Room of the struggle. We cannot thwart the dreams of those who wish to see this moment so they - like Simeon - may die in peace, having seen the fulfillment of a sacred promise. Reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters because we cannot crush the budding dreams of the youth who have so little in which to believe.

We must squeeze them so that they can wake up and come to consciousness. It is our responsibility to squeeze them so they are not found on the wrong side of the struggle. No, this struggle is not purely racial. But, neither was the Civil Rights Movement. Our ancestors did not fight simply for the rights of Black people. But, essentially, the premise of the fight was that the struggle for Civil Rights was integral to the perfection of our Union and the fulfillment of the "Promise of America."

So, put on the squeeze! Awaken the consciousness of our sleeping brothers and sisters. Honor the legacy of our parents in the struggle.

Come and Get Your Reparations!