Reparations Means Truly Honoring Dr. King's Legacy

I keep saying this: Senator Obama's campaign is about a great deal more than the presidency. It is, as he said, for "a more perfect Union."

Today we remember that 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. And, many gathered in Memphis to remember this day and the man. Many also criticized Senator Obama because he was not in Memphis, but chose rather to be in Indiana.

I too felt a slight twinge, however as I heard his speech I thought of the statement being made. Reparations means truly honoring Dr. King's legacy. It does not mean heading to Memphis to hold hands and sing "We Shall Overcome." It is not about being at the site of his assassination and walking his last steps. It is not even about talking solely about the man.

Dr. King understood that the movement was more important than any one person. And, the movement is still more important than any one person.

When we remember Jesus Christ, it is not enough to simply go to the site of His Crucifixion and return home. It is more important to carry forth the message of love and redemption, right? And, who would not be compelled to say how much of a more dedicated and Christian life they will live while standing on that Holy Ground? Yet, who - once returning home - actually follows through?

We can all live good lives when everyone is looking!

So, as we remember Dr. King it is important to set foot on hollowed ground. But, it is more important to carry forth the message and to pass forward the mission. And, the message is not only for Black people. The message is not only for Memphis. The message is also for Indiana, and for the Nation. Indeed the message is for the world.

Reparations means truly honoring Dr. King's legacy. And, Senator Obama took that message to a people who otherwise might not have been exposed to that coverage. Days like this should be days of "remembering action." What is the point of remembering the struggles and sacrifice if we do not bring to bear the present applications?

What would be the point of remembering Christ's Crucifixion if we were not compelled to serve others? Should we use His Crucifixion as an opportunity to carry His message to others? In that same vain we should use King's assassination as an opportunity for us to carry his message to others.

So, let us talk about why Dr. King was killed. Let us engage in dialogue about the issues that still plague us. Let us give ourselves to the noble cause of perfecting this Country.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations, Albert Wynn and the Bigger Picture

I'm certain everyone has heard about the disgrace of congressman Albert Wynn (little "c" on purpose). If not, check this out.

Now, it is bad enough that Albert Wynn has no qualms with ethical improprieties. But, because we're after our reparations: let us look the implications for the Black Community.

On their website, the Congressional Black Caucus salutes Mr. Wynn for his years of "dedicated and earnest service to his constituents." Well, his constituents were largely Black, and middle-class (at best). However, he is heading to a lobbying firm that is not geared around social interests, but energy concerns. Mr. Wynn is the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, and many fear he may be selling his elective position on the committee for personal/corporate benefit.

But, maybe this move is not simply for personal benefit. Maybe he is looking out for others on the Congressional Black Caucus? After all, their press release praising Mr. Wynn's service also said, "We look forward to working with him as he embarks on a new career."

Before this story broke, I was already looking into the CBC. I found it strange that Mr. Wynn is the head of the CBC's Political Action Committee, where the mission is: to increase the number of African Americans in Congress; to support non-Black candidates who champion our interests; and to promote African American participation in the political process—with a special emphasis on young voters. I thought it was strange because the head of the PAC was unable to execute the mission for himself. Or maybe: was he acknowledging that he does not champion our interests?

Reparations demands that we see the bigger picture. What does this say about the CBC? Do they mean what they say (when they praise Al Wynn)? Or, are they simply saying what sounds good (when they claim to champion our interests)?

What does this say about their PAC? To validate the PAC's mission they say: "We achieve this mission by pooling political contributions from people like you and using the money to make our voice heard in key campaigns." But, can we really trust them with our money? Can we trust them to use it wisely? We need to watch them all closely.

Reparations means that we must hold our so-called leaders accountable. The buildup of this web is our fault, and is ours to untangle. So, we should contact Ms. Keiana Barrett at 202.226.8119 and see how they feel about their March 28 release in light of these revelations on Mr. Wynn. We should also contact the CBC's Political Action Committee and ask them for transparency and a clear accounting of monies raised and how they were used.

These leaders make their rise at the expense of the people. While supposedly doing the peoples business, they organize for their pockets. We must end the free ride, now.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and THE Reason (Pat Buchanan) Dialogue is Needed

Okay, I admit: I'm a bit late on this.

I guess when I heard it I was in a daze - unable to believe such idiocy could come out the mouth of anyone "respected" enough to be a commentator on what seemed to be a credible station (MSNBC). But, my friends at the AfroSpear have called me to consciousness.

Here are Pat's comments:

“Barack says we need to have a conversation about race in America. Fair enough. But this time, it has to be a two-way conversation. White America needs to be heard from, not just lectured to. This time, the Silent Majority needs to have its convictions, grievances and demands heard. And among them are these:

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known. Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.

Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream."

What is mind-boggling is that Pat Buchanan claims to be a conservative. For a conservative to be siting welfare, food stamps, poverty programs and the like to be touted as efforts by White Americans to uplift the Black community is beyond comprehension.

In one of his blog postings, Pat says:

"What are Barack’s moral credentials to instruct white folks on what they must do, when he failed to do what any decent father should have done: Take his wife and daughters out of a church where hate had a home in the pulpit?"

This begs the question: would Pat agree that there are very few decent White fathers in past generations? I mean, did they remove their wives and children from those churches who called Blacks inferior? Did they remove their families from those circles that said Blacks were deserving of maltreatment, deserving of lynching? Did those fathers stop their families from being corrupted by public lynchings? Maybe this picture will help you answer that question:

Look at all of those decent fathers, harvesting their "strange fruit." Or, is Pat Buchanan saying that the words spoken by Jeremiah Wright are worse for the Country than the actions of this photo and numerous other similar actions.

Reparations means you take this email address: LindaMuller@Buchanan.org and let her know what you think of Pat Buchanan's ridiculous comments.

Come and Get Your Reparations!