Reparations Means not being afraid of the Harsh Realities of Race

I must be fair. By now, it should be clear that I am a supporter of Senator Obama. However just as one should not be labeled un-patriotic for criticizing America, I should not be labeled anti-Obama now that I will criticize him.

Reparations means not being afraid of the harsh realities of race. Reverend Jeremiah Wright said, "God damn America..." until she treats her people fairly. Now, what is wrong with that? The Bible states that we will all be damned if we mistreat those who have been placed in our care.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 42-48 our Lord says:

I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk – well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.

America is a blessed land - much has been given to us. And, if we believe Christ - much is thus required. So, how can we condemn Reverend Jeremiah Wright for stating the prevalence of racism in America?

Is it not true that this Country has been oppressive? Has not America oppressed Native Americans, Blacks, Chinese, Japanese, Hispanics, and even the Irish, Jews and Italians? Are not people still oppressed by crippling government programs, unjust applications of the law, poor education, poor health care and poor housing - among others? Is America smart enough to know that people are suffering? Raise your hand if you think this Country is really blind to the sufferings of people and the stark racial disparities affecting our society. Or, do you feel they simply turn a blind eye?

These issues obviously still strike chords; otherwise, Jeremiah Wright's comments would not be such a huge story. So, if these issues still strike chords - Senator Obama - are we really bringing change to America if we give in to the pressure?

Reparations means not being afraid of the harsh realities of race. Reparations means not backing down from the truth. As free men and women, we should be able to speak our minds without being condemned. Criticize him - yes, but condemn?

For Barack Obama to step away from Jeremiah Wright is almost as if he stepped away from our struggle. His previous stance in the face of the Clinton juggernaut was one commanding respect and instilling pride. This shift of stance stinks of the kowtowing of yesteryear, when Blacks could not say anything that might offend White people.

Reparations means not being afraid of the harsh realities of race. And, those realities are at times offensive. Yet, this has always been - is, and will always be - larger than Barack Obama. And, despite this let down the movement for reparations must continue. So, we continue to support Senator Obama for the sake of the dialogue that's provoked - in hopes that further progress may be made towards our goal.

For further perspectives check out The Root

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and Addressing the Issues of Race in America

Here's the beautiful thing about the Democratic Primary: we are now engaging in long over-due discussions on race. God willing, we may be able to engage in frank discussion. For this is the "reparative" process.

Reparations means addressing the issues of race in America. This issue has not been resolved. And, no resolve will come unless there is dialogue When Michelle Obama said that for the first time in her adult life she is proud of her Country, the media and mainstream was aghast. Now, when Reverend Jeremiah Wright (pointedly) criticizes America he is regarded as un-American - despite having served as a US Marine. But before we can make a judgment, we must regard this with a critical eye.

Why is it not ok to at times be ashamed of America? Have we not been ashamed of those we love? And, when they commit shameful acts should they not be regarded as shameful? Yet, even in that shame do we not still have feelings of love? What Michelle Obama struck in that statement was the reality of being Black in America.

Now, we have the issue over remarks made by Reverend Jeremiah Wright (Senator Obama's former pastor). But, the remarks of Jeremiah Wright would not seem so controversial if there were more understanding of the Black perspective. Maybe the words of Frederick Douglass can relay this to you:

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour. (full text)

All of the holidays of National importance have that sort of duality. "Independence Day" does not commemorate Black independence, and Juneteenth is not a holiday of National importance. Columbus Day for the Black man commemorates the opening of new lands for oppression...vast deposits for the burgeoning of the African Slave Trade. Thanksgiving reminds us of our shared plight with the Native American, also a victim of the this Nation's Birth. This list is endless.

Reparations means addressing the issues of race in America. We can never have reparations - on either side of the color line - without having a candid discussion on the perspectives set in place due to the historical and current experiences that shape our lives in America.

What does provide a sense of pride in America is that this is a Country where we can have that discussion, repair what's broken and prove beneficial to ourselves and the world.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and Confronting Representative Kendrick Meek

This morning, Kendrick Meek (D-FL 17th District) was on the news stating his opinion about the seating of delegates for the Florida Democratic Primary. Congressman Kendrick Meek is a supporter of Senator Clinton. He believes that the Florida Delegation should be seated as awarded in the January 29th primary. Senator Clinton won that primary.

Now everyone knows what's wrong with that. The Florida Democratic Party broke the rules. I know what would happen to me if I broke the rules...I would pay the prescribed punishment. What was the punishment for breaking the rules in Florida? Democratic leaders agreed: Convention Delegates would be stripped. The Congressman did not raise an uproar when that decision was made. Maybe he said something in certain circles. There was no major uproar by any in the Clinton camp before those delegates became so important to Senator Clinton's wishes. However, now her supporters are trying to find ways to break the rules.

They blame it on Democracy. Yet, it is not Democracy's fault that the rules were undemocratic. I remember my mother telling me: two wrongs don't make a right. Are we to correct one error (undemocratic rules) with another error (breaking the rules)? To quote from Wikipedia:

Generally speaking, ex post facto laws are seen as a violation of the rule of law as it applies in a free and democratic society.

The whole argument to break the rules is supposedly for the sake of Democracy. Yet, to break the rules would violate the rule of law - destabilizing the very tenets of a Democracy.

Reparations means confronting Congressman Kendrick Meek. As an American he should be promoting and upholding Democracy - not helping to destroy it. As a Black man, he should definitely not be aiding the overthrow of Democracy to the detriment of another Black Man.


Call the Congressman at 202.225.4506. Speak with Mr. Martin and let him know how we feel. Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Challenging Party Allegiance

"The Black man in North America was sickest of all politically. He let the White man divide him into...a Black 'Democrat,' a Black 'Republican,'...when a ten-million Black vote bloc could be the deciding balance of power in American politics..." - Malcolm X

Now, the Black Republican is taboo. So, let's deal with the majority - the Black Democrat.

For reasons beyond comprehension, the Black Community walks lock-step with the Democratic Party. But, the 2008 Democratic Primary must serve to open our eyes. This yea, we must begin thinking independently.

Ok, we know the Clintons are the power-brokers of the Democratic Party. They are the Machine Bosses. They are the Establishment. For years, we have been duped into thinking that Bill Clinton was the "first Black President." We have been fooled into believing that they have an affinity for Black people that goes beyond the voting booth.

Reparations means challenging Party allegiance. We are truly sickest of all, politically. But, there is a cure!

We must see: the Democratic Party does not care about Black people. (And, don't get me wrong - the Republicans don't care either.) The Party cares only about votes. Have you seen the racism?

Geraldine Ferraro wants to speak about if Barack Obama was not a Black man...well, let's look at that closer. If Barack Obama was not a Black man he would have already secured the nomination. If he were a White man - indeed, if he were a White woman - the Party would have united behind him and convinced the other candidate to drop out of the race. If Barack Obama were White, no one would consider breaking, bending or changing the rules to allow any scenario to play out in Michigan and/or Florida. Ms. Ferraro - America-at-large - if Barack Obama were a white man, this race would be over.

Reparations means we cannot walk lock-step with the Democratic Party. It is time to create that Black vote bloc. We have seen the success of this bloc in this primary. We see what happens when there's overwhelming black support for a candidate.

We should not pledge our allegiance to any Party that has no problem being racist. We should have no allegiance to a Democratic Party that has no problem using racist tactics to get what it wants. We should not ignore the Party's racism. Now, I do not advocate falling in-line with the Republican Party either. I am saying we must be self-reliant, free thinking and independent. Be Liberal, be conservative - but always be Black...for Black is what you were born.

It is time to be cured of our sickness. Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Applying Pressure to Mayor Michael A. Nutter of Philadelphia

How so?

Well, yesterday we heard former Congresswoman and Vice Presidential Nominee Geraldine Ferraro's racist remarks saying that the reason for Senator Barack Obama's success is that he is a black male.

Wow! I wish someone had alerted me that Black male privilege was now in effect!

I mean, Senator Obama's campaign is running circles around Senator Clinton's. So, is Ms. Ferraro saying that Senator Obama's campaign runs more effectively because he's Black? Maybe she's saying that his campaign spent less money because he's Black?

It's simply ridiculous. And, to hear Pat Buchanan say that Geraldine Ferraro is correct - that he is having success because he's Black is unconscionable. Ms. Ferraro was upset because people called her remarks racist. She retorted that those who disagree with her are attacking her because they are sexist. What?!

For some reason, Black men (in specific) and Black people (in general) just can't cross the threshold. I mean, whenever Black people make some great achievement it's not attributed to their brilliance, their tenacity, their abilities or any character qualities. The mainstream always tries to explain us away by some novelty: "oh, he's Black," or "oh, White people feel guilty."

Who in their right mind can think Geraldine Ferraro's comments are anything but racist? And, all the Clinton Campaign could say was that the comments were "regrettable." Hillary Clinton did not repudiate the remarks. She didn't denounce them. She didn't reject and denounce them. Senator Clinton did not sever her ties with Geraldine Ferraro. All I can say is silence implies complicity.

Reparations means that we cannot stand for disrespect. The Clintons have enjoyed unwarranted support from the Black Community. But, throughout this campaign Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton - indeed the Clinton Machine - have shown their true colors. With comments like we've heard yesterday, it begs the question: how many times have they - behind closed doors - called him "nigger?"

And, who would believe if they say they haven't?

But, what does this have to do with Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia? Well, Mayor Michael Nutter - a Black man - is a supporter of Senator Clinton's in the highly-contested state of Pennsylvania.

Question: As a human being of conscience, how do you stand by with this happening?

Bigger Question: As a Black Man, how can Michael Nutter continue to support her when she is clearly insensitive to and disrespectful towards the people that look like him?

In the spirit of fairness, I called the Mayor's office to see if they had issued a statement. They stalled. They requested to know if I was a writer (I directed them to this blog). And, I told them that we who care about defending and advancing the Black Community would be calling him to voice our discontent with him.

Reparations demands that we take stands that are bigger than whatever personal benefits to be received. I don't care what the Clintons promised Mayor Nutter in exchange for his support. The Mayor's Grandmother, his kith and kin, would be disappointed if he does not take the opportunity to make a loud stand. No slight at his family - only honoring them. We can take it for granted that 9 out of 10 Black people 60 and over were involved in the struggle for our rights.

Reparations demands that we continue that struggle. So to those who care about the legacy of our ancestors, our grandparents and parents, can you give five minutes to our people? Call Mayor Michael at (215) 686-2181, and say: "I'm calling to let Mayor Nutter know that I am disappointed in him for his support of Geraldine Ferraro's remarks about Barack Obama. I hope he would stand with the Black Community and make the statement that we will not be disrespected. Thank you."

Now, Go and Get Your Reparations!