Reparations Means Recognizing the Urgency of Now

On tonight's Reparative Talk episode, we talked about how reparations means recognizing the urgency of now. We have witnessed history. America has at least nominated a Black Man for the Presidency (although Clinton still has not conceded).

Countless of us have said - and now say - we never thought we would see this in our lifetime. How long will it be before we see this again? Why should we wait? The mere fact that we have NO IDEA when this tide will rise again explains Why We Can't Wait (as Dr. King wrote).

So - clearly, reparations means recognizing the urgency of now. And, now, while we have the attention of the media...now, while we have the ear of mainstream society...now, while the Nation is grappling - yet again - with issues of race, we must force the issue and use this moment for "social opportunism" and bring some true benefit to our community.

This is truly an historic time. And, this time calls us to rise to the challenge. As Dr. King said,

We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood-it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residuesof numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. Omar Khayyam is right: "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on."

Reparations means recognizing the urgency of now. And, we cannot allow this urgency to become cliche'. We cannot allow this sense of urgency to be bastardized into a Kumbaya moment...to coalesce into an atmosphere of "we have arrived...we have overcome." Because with the fierce urgency of now confronting us, we cannot be too late. We cannot procrastinate and miss this opportunity. We cannot think there will be another time like this. Tomorrow may never come. Today is all we can see. So, we must seize the day and embrace the time...indeed we must become "caught up in the concept," forcing these issues to be dealt with so that we might see real change for the empowerment of our community.

So, check out our most recent talk show:

Reparations Means Being Proud of Your True (Tri) Colors

More than 80 years ago, a man saw that a people united by racial oppression - through the remnants of slavery, segregation and colonialism, needed a greater unifier. In response to an extremely popular song of 1900, "Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon," Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA & ACL) created the "Tri-Colors of Africa" aka Black Liberation/Pan-African Flag. On August 13, 1920 the UNIA adopted the flag in Article 39 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World.

Later in 1921, Mr. Garvey stated the importance stated the importance of a flag thus:

Show me the race or the nation without a flag, and I will show you a race of people without any pride. Aye! In song and mimicry they have said, "Every race has a flag but the coon." How true! Aye! But that was said of us four years ago. They can't say it now...

So, Reparations means being proud of your true (tri) colors. Why should we - a free people - be ashamed of the Red, Black and Green? Why should we - a free people - be afraid to display the Red, Black and Green? Why can we not listen to Steele Pulse and "Rally round the flag...rally round the Red, Gold, Black and Green?



Reparations means being proud of your true (tri) colors. I could not help but think about this recently. As I traveled through the South on my way to the ATL, I saw numerous Confederate Flags flying...White folks proud of their Confederate (treasonous) heritage. There are flags on t-shirts, tattoos, flying on flag poles, displayed on bumper stickers...everywhere you look, you can see Confederate Pride. And in Atlanta - a stronghold of the Gay Community - I see Gay Pride in abundance. Yet, everywhere there is Gay Pride. You have seen it...through rainbow flags displayed on shirts, on bumper stickers, flying out-front businesses and etc. Confederates are not ashamed of their flag...they have pride. Gays are not afraid of displaying their flag...they have pride. But, where is the Black man's pride? Where is the Black woman's pride? Why are we ashamed of the Red, Black and Green? Why is our flag not displayed?

Reparations means being proud of your true (tri) colors. And, the Rainbow Flag - and Gay Community - is a great example. The argument against the Tri-Colors of Africa, is that it does not represent a Nation. But, neither does the Rainbow Flag represent a physical nation. It does unite a people and demonstrate their pride. The Tri-Colors of Africa should unite our people, and demonstrate our pride in our Blackness...it should serve as a symbol of our freedom and a proud display should be a testimony of our freedom.

So, rally round the flag...rally round the Red, Gold, Black and Green!

Come and Get Your Reparations!

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 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!