Reparations & Super Tuesday

If there was ever a time for us to receive Reparations for the various injustices afflicted upon us by this Country, it is now. If there was ever an opportunity for us to combat the numerous disparities between Black and White in this Country, it is now. If there was ever an opportunity for America to achieve the greatest dream and the hope for the idea that is "America," it is now.

On February 5th millions of us will head to the polls and cast our votes, and there is so much at stake. What is at stake is not who will do what for us. What is at stake is the opportunity for us to do for ourselves. As I said in the header, "not speaking from a Nationalist perspective is paramount to wishing to be fixed by someone other than ourselves." Reparations calls for us to seize the opportunity to grab hold of the promise that was denied to our ancestors.

For the sake of those who were brought here in bondage, and stolen away from freedom; for the sake of those who died in captivity, waiting for freedom; for the sake of those who fled their oppressors in search of freedom; for the sake of those who were lynched, tarred and feathered, trying to exercise there new-found "freedom;" for the sake of those who were hosed, beaten and imprisoned, pleading for an equality of freedom we must rise to the occasion.

And, what is it that we can do for ourselves? We have the opportunity to prove to ourselves that our parents and grandparents were right...that we can be anything we want to be. For too long we have sought equality by looking for the beneficence of those outside of our community. Because of this, we have inflicted deep harm on the psyche of our children...condemning them to the idea that there exists nothing good within ourselves, and that if we are to see any good it MUST come from outside of ourselves and our community.

Because of this view, we have turned neighborhoods into "hoods." Because of this view Historically Black Colleges and Universities struggle to sustain their existence. Because of this view, black businesses are few and our communities suffer from a consumerism that sucks money away from where it's needed and fills the pockets of White corporations with little to know concern for its customers (even the White customers).

Reparations demands that we repair our nation. To change our community, we must change this view. We must show ourselves that there does exist good within ourselves. We must show ourselves that we can be whatever we want to be. We must infuse hope and noble ambition into the psyche of our children.

So, we have a choice: we can show our children a competent White woman, or we can show them a competent Black man. One would be decent, the other would show our children that they too can be whatever the want to be. The Black man would show our children that being Black does not condemn you to a life of servitude. Electing Senator Barack Obama will show Black people around the world that there is hope in overcoming "the difficulties and frustrations of the moment."

So, on Super Tuesday we know what we must do. We must come out in droves to vote for Barack Obama. We must tell the Democrats who is our choice to be the Nominee out of this Primary Season. We must tell this Country - Democrat and Republican - who is our choice to lead this Nation. Now is the time for us to rise. Now is the time that we awaken the sleeping giant that is the Black Community. Now is the time that we repair our community. So, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your enemies: Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations, the Democratic Primary and the race for the White House

I had a conversation with a sister a few days ago who was faced with a decision: should she support the first woman or first Black as President. I guess that's a valid concern. Yet, for those of us who care about the community - for those of us who work with and organize in the community - the issue is null.

Reparations demands that we support Barack Obama. I told the sister: a President Obama does more for the Black community than a President Clinton (Bill and Hilary combined) could ever do...even if Obama does nothing specifically for Black people.

Obama hasn't run as the Black candidate. But, he has run as the "hope" candidate to restore hope to America. And, we all can agree that one of the major detriments to the Black community is the loss of hope. And, the argument to the youth has always been that they can "be anything they want to be." Have you heard that argument before?

If you are active in the community and have either heard or used that argument, I'm sure you've heard a rebuttal. That rebuttal usually takes form as something like, "a Black man in this Country doesn't have a chance." Or, "all I can be is an entertainer or a prisoner."

Imagine the effect Obama can have on our work in the community after winning the Democratic Nomination. Imagine the effect Obama can have on our work with the youth while he's sitting in the White House as President of the United States. Imagine how much we can do when Black youth see a Black man in the highest office in the land. Imagine the hope that would inspire. Can you see the impact this would have on the young, ambitious inner-city child who has a desire to be great? Do you see the affirmation felt by the young child who has been mocked for "dreaming too big?"

An outlook of Reparations requires us to seize every opportunity to advance the cause of our people. Many disparities can be overcome by an infusion of hope. Even Jesse Jackson understood that if we "keep hope alive" there is no limit to what we can achieve. Here is an opportunity for us to "see it in our lifetime." Many luminaries have always said that we cannot - will not - see it in our lifetime. Yet, here - in our lifetime - we have the opportunity to "see it."

And, this is truly the reparations view. This view does not rely on the President to do anything in particular, except be. Barack Obama will be a successful President. We don't need him to be a successful Black President. Our hope is - has always been - to come to a point where we can transcend race and become American.

Dr. King's "Dream" embodied that hope. He hoped we would be able to equalize things in this Country. He said the halls of justice could not be bankrupt. With hope, we as Black people may again be inspired to achieve the American Dream. And once we have the chance to bask in the blessings of democracy and the economic and social benefits that it brings, we too can transcend race and become fully American.

Don't be fooled by politics as usual. Don't be fooled by the Clinton machine. Don't be fooled into thinking that the Clintons care about Black people. They are (a major) part of the establishment. During the Clinton years, more Black people went to prison than under the Reagan and Bush I presidencies. During the Clinton years, over one million Rwandans were massacred while Bill stood on the sidelines. Yet, he was quick to prevent genocide in Kosovo. Don't be fooled.

"Someday" has arrived! Now is the time in which "we shall overcome." Let us rise to the challenge. Come and get your Reparations!