Minds need to be repaired!

Ok, the crazy is definitely coming out...proving that reparations is still needed.

As I've said, reparations is more about repairing peoples' minds - so that we can think clearly and rationally.  There is nothing rational about this:



Here's the original report:

But upon further investigation, we learn that it was all a hoax. 

A HOAX!!!  What?

The report states that Ms. Todd told multiple stories.  She failed a lie detector test.  And, the "B" that was carved into her face is backwards - as if done while looking in a mirror.  They charged Ms. Todd with filing a false police report.  They should also charge her with "Conspiracy to Incite a Riot," don't you think?

Minds need to be repaired! 

You mean to tell me that this girl bludgeoned herself and mutilated her own face?  That's crazy!  And, she did it in order to fuel racial tensions.  She blamed the stereotypical "Big Black Man."  That's why Ashley Todd should be charged with "Conspiracy to Incite a Riot."  Do you remember Emmitt Till?

This is what he looked like before he was accused of whistling at a White woman:



This is what he looked like after being accused of whistling at her:



If this was the result of a Black man being accused of whistling at a White woman, what do we think would happen to a Black man accused of attacking & mutilating a White woman?

Ashley Todd's actions were reckless.  And, to go to such lengths over the election only demonstrates the climate.  No - to be against Obama is not necessarily racist.  But, to frame a Black Man as Ashley Todd did is explicitly racist.  And, such lengths imply that minds need to be repaired.

We have work to do.  Come and Get Your Reparations!

Ashley Todd, Reparations, Barack Obama, John McCain

Black People Waking Up? Or, Stupid? Your thoughts...

What do you say?

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Capitalizing on the New American Political Landscape

I have been debating on how I would frame this posting. And, have concluded that the best way would be to simply quote a passage from The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

The black man in North America was sickest of all politically. He let the white man divide him into such foolishness as considering himself a black "Democrat," a black "Republican," a black "conservative," or a black "Liberal"...when a ten-million strong black vote bloc could be the deciding balance of power in American politics...

Reparations means capitalizing on the new American political landscape. With the nomination of Barack Obama, we are seeing the truth of this statement. And, that truth is becoming manifest in a new American political landscape.

For decades the "Battle Map" has been the same, with Republicans and Democrats fighting over the same states every year. As we listen to news reports, we hear of Obama's 50-State strategy. They say his strategy is possible because Senator Obama's base is not the traditional base (Hillary's "Hard-working Americans"). His base is comprised of young (& new) voters and Blacks. Because of the large numbers of Blacks that are turning out, Senator Obama is able to expand his electoral map allowing him to be competitive in the South, on the East Coast, and out West.

Reparations means capitalizing on the new American political landscape. And, it is time for us to organize so that we can assert our prowess. Brother Malcolm continues:

The polls are one place where every black man could fight the black man's cause with dignity, and with the power and the tools that the white man understands, and respects, and fears, and cooperates with...If a black bloc committee told Washington's worst "nigger-hater," "We represent ten million votes," why, that "nigger-hater" would leap up: "Well, how are you? Come on in here!"...Why else is it that racist politicians fight to keep black men from the polls?

There is no excuse for our Community to be in such a sorry state. No amount of racism can
deter the will of an organized, cohesive black vote bloc. He continues:

Whenever any group can vote in a bloc, and decide the outcome of elections, and it fails to do this, then that group is politically sick. Immigrants once made Tammany Hall the most powerful single force in American politics...America's black man, voting as a bloc, could wield an even more powerful force.

With growing disparities on the basis of race, with shortcomings of and injustices in American Society magnified on the basis of race, we must inject our issues into the debate.

U.S. politics is ruled by special-interest blocs and lobbies. What group has a more urgent special interest, what group needs a bloc, a lobby, more than the black man?...The government has departments to deal with the special-interest groups that make themselves heard and felt. A Department of Agriculture cares for the farmers' needs (neglecting the needs of Black farmers). There is a Department of Health, Education and Welfare (while the health, education and welfare of the Black Community flounders)...There ought to be a Pentagon-sized Washington department dealing with every segment of the black man's problems

With the nomination of Senator Obama, we have the platform by which to bring change to the Black Community. Reparations means capitalizing on the new American political landscape. With the electoral map changing, it will force both Parties to compete on this new landscape of young and Black voters. With both Parties having to compete, we have the opportunity to present our platform and demand that our votes be earned. We must realize what Brother Malcolm said:

The cornerstones of this country's operation are economic and political strength and power. The black man doesn't have the economic strength - and it will take time for him to build it. But right now the American black man has the political strength and power to change his destiny overnight.

Reparations means capitalizing on the new American political landscape. And, we are seeing the potential power of the Black vote. It is on us now to organize. The opportunity has been placed before us. It is for us to seize the moment. So, join us. Become a member of one of the groups to the right =>

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Developing a Black Political Agenda

Based on the last posting, we know that attaining our reparations means that we must develop a Black Political Agenda. We must have a platform of issues that will serve as a benchmark for judging the politicians that seek our votes. We must have an organization with the ability to unite the various organizations around that platform. This means that the planks of the platform must be succinct enough to promote a particular agenda. However, those planks must be broad enough to encompass the various ideas and objectives of those in the struggle for Black Empowerment.

Reparations means developing a Black Political Agenda. We must have a framework from which to work when we are screening candidates for elective office. We must have a standard to which we hold elected officials accountable. That agenda will serve as our rudder. Without it, the Black Community lacks direction. And, without direction we will continue to drift out to sea...a long way from the shores of safety.

So, how does this demonstrate what reparations means? Developing a Black Political Agenda will enable the community to guard against political apathy. It will provide us with a means by which we can rate those who have been elected to represent our interests; if they do not follow to planks of the platform, they should be removed from office. A Black Political Agenda will help us determine who should be running for office in the first place. With a solid agenda, we will only promote those politicians who are solid on the issues that are pertinent to our community.

Reparations means developing a Black Political Agenda. With such an agenda, we will be able to assert our interests into the debate. We will be able to dictate how politicians and elected officials interact with our Community.

But, to develop such an agenda we need your help. So, please sign into our Google Group. There you will find a post asking for your suggestions for the Black Political Agenda. We know there are many brilliant minds out there. And, we hope to benefit from your feedback. So, please let us know what you think. Log onto our Google Group and let your voice be heard! Let us shape the Black Political Agenda. Come and get your reparations!

Reparations Means Black People MUST Realize Their Political Clout

I am listening to the election coverage on CNN tonight and it is amazing. And, like "Dap" in School Daze, I am in your face shouting: "WAKE UP!!!!!"

Again, Malcolm X told us:

"The Black man in North America was sickest of all politically...a ten-million Black vote bloc could be the deciding balance of power in American politics..."

Reparations means Black people must realize their political clout. And, we are seeing the manifestations of that Black vote bloc. It is indeed proving to be the deciding balance of power in this Democratic Primary.

But, we also see that the Democrats do not want to see this power exercised. I mean: look how they repay your loyalty. Black folks have been die-hard Democrats for decades now. Yet, despite the leads held by Senator Obama the Party is still considering overturning the will of the people and stripping the Black man of the nomination. Why is this Primary still going? Just think if a White man were in Senator Obama's position...just think if Hillary Clinton was in Obama's position: how many of you believe this election would still be going?

Do not be hoodwinked. Do not be bamboozled. Do not be run a muck. Reparations means Black people must realize their political clout. And, realizing this power means that we begin to flex our new-found muscles. We need to flex our muscles on those Black Congressmen and women who have overturned the will of the people. As Black Caucus members, they claim to represent the Black Community. But, the Black Community has overwhelmingly chosen Senator Obama. They have not. When their terms are up, we need to put them out of office.

For too long, Black Leadership has stifled the Community to support their own careers. They have been able to do this because Black Leadership has doubted the power of a unified Black vote. They have doubted that the Black Community could stand united. Yet, all across this Country we have proved them wrong.

We have defied the stereotypes and broken the trends. And so, reparations means Black people must realize their political clout. It means we must use that clout for the benefit of the Black Community. You and I have the power to change our community...to empower our people...not to the detriment of another people, but for the benefit of our people. And, that is reparations.

Senator Obama talks about people who cannot wait four more years of the "politics of the past." Well, I am here to tell you "why we can't wait." We cannot wait four more years for a government and political structure to take us into account. We cannot wait for another election cycle for politicians to act as if they care about the Black Community. We cannot wait another moment that will galvanize the Black Community to seize hold of our own destiny.

We must stop looking for the government to do for us. We have to quit expecting these politicians to have our best interests at heart. Now is our time to assert ourselves as an independent people, part and parcel of America, and unashamed of our identity and our people.

We must wake up! Because, right before our eyes we see the Democratic Party begging to find a way to strip this nomination from the Black man. As White Conservative Bill Bennett said on CNN tonight, how do you tell him that he is leading in every dimension - except superdelegates (for now) - and take this nomination away from him? The fact that Black leaders are standing by and watching this happen is astounding. We must take notice.

We must realize our power and use it to change the political and economic landscape for the benefit of the Black Community.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means HOLDING the Clintons (yes, Hillary and Bill) Accountable if the Nomination is Stolen from Senator Obama

Tonight on Anderson 360, there was a dialogue between Rep. Holmes-Norton (Obama Supporter) and Rep. Tubbs-Jones (Black Clinton Supporter). They were discussing comments by Representative Clyburn calling Bill Clinton's remarks "bizarre." I applaud Rep. Clyburn because he is speaking truth to power. For pundits to state that Obama cannot win the election without the white vote, while suggesting that Clinton could win without the Black vote is a gamble I am confident the Democrats do not want to take.

In the debate between Rep. Holmes-Norton and Rep. Tubbs-Jones, it was suggested that Black
people would not hold the Clintons accountable for their blatant racism and race bating.

But, reparations means HOLDING the Clintons (yes, Hillary and Bill) accountable if the nomination is stolen from Senator Obama. The Black Elite are banking on the fickle nature of the Black Electorate. It was even said during the course of debate that Black people will "forget" this and remain committed to the Democratic Party. But, how could you remain committed to a Party that is not committed to you? How can you forget the actions of a Party that clearly state your lack of value?

If we do not hold the Clintons accountable, then we deserve to be mistreated. If we do not hold accountable those Black leaders who support Clinton despite the overwhelming support of their constituency for Obama, we deserve to be abused.

Reparations means holding the Clintons (yes, Hillary and Bill) accountable if the nomination is stolen from Senator Obama. And as the last Democratic President, the Clintons are the Standard Bearers of the Democratic Party. So, ultimately reparations also means holding the Democratic Party accountable if the nomination is stolen from Senator Obama.

We must come to realize that neither Party has our interests at heart. Just at the Republican Party is deemed to be racist, the Democratic Power can now be seen in its "racist glory." The Clintons are so self-serving that they will bloody up Senator Obama so that he cannot win the general election...so that she can run again in 2012. But, to attain reparations we must ensure that the irreparable breach Rep. Clyburn described actually comes to pass.

Reparations means holding the Clintons (yes, Hillary and Bill) accountable if the nomination is stolen from Senator Obama. And, the Clintons are the Democratic Party - so, reparations means holding the Democratic Party accountable if the nomination is stolen from Senator Obama. This breach is the opportunity we need to empower the Community and attain our reparations...because, by this breach we may begin to take a closer analysis of policy and platforms - rather than simple Party Affiliation.

What do you think? How should Party Affiliation impact the Black Community? Can the Black Community afford to be governed by strict Party Allegiance? Chime in on our Reparative Forum. Or, join our Facebook, LinkedIn, BlackPlanet or Plaxo groups. Together we can make advances for political and economic empowerment.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and "A More Perfect Union" - Pt. 3

Okay. This is proving to be larger than life. A few issues need to be discussed.

Reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. How do we do this? We must first find the places where our Union is weak.

Let's look at the coverage of this speech and the racist tone of the media. No one questioned White pastors when they called Hurricane Katrina God's judgment on New Orleans in specific and the Country in general. Just perform the following Google Search, and see what is out there. So, why is Reverend Wright worthy of condemnation but White pastors have never been denounced? There was no endless cycle of media clips depicting John Hagee, Pat Robertson, David Duke, Billy Graham or any of the numerous other controversial White pastors who have made seemingly outlandish comments. But, this is all surface.

As I said, reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. So, let us dig a bit deeper and look at the argument of "preaching hate." Critics and the larger public say that Jeremiah Wright preaches hate. They ask, how can parents allow their children to grow up in these churches and be "indoctrinated by hate."

That may be a valid question. But, those same critics would be faced with the rebuttal argument: what about the hatred that was/is preached by White Churches? What about the pastors that preached the racial inferiority of Black people and condoned - even encouraged - slavery, colonialism and segregation? What about the Christian heritage and Terrorism by the Ku Klux Klan?

So, I ask those critics: what about you? For by and large, your parents were raised in those churches, heard truly hate-filled preaching, and they stayed in those churches. So, what about you: how did you turn out? Were you damaged by that preaching? And, if we were does that mean you are still damaged? Did you demand that your parents leave those churches? Did you walk out of those churches in protest? These are the answers to the arguments of Jeremiah Wright's critics.

Remember, reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. So, let's now examine the so-called "Black hate." This fiery preaching comes from the foundations of the Black Church. The Black Church was born during American Slavery. As part of American Slavery, Black preachers were forced to examine the hypocrisy of the larger society. Because of their bondage Black Clergy were compelled to read the Old Testament and the experience of the Ancient Jews as a direct parallel to their own. Egypt and Babylon became synonymous with America and the West. Pharaoh became a reference for the slave master and the rulers of this system.

We were compelled to read the New Testament with a keen eye to the sheer hypocrisy. In his Inaugural Address as President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis once said, "Slavery was established by decree of Almighty God. It is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation." Slave masters, and society, used St. Paul's words ("Slaves obey your master" and “Let slaves regard their masters as worthy of all honor") to control slaves. Yet, Black Clergy saw this in the Holy Scriptures:

"For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:27-28; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13)

So, that legacy of criticism has continued. And, that legacy must not be ignored - but cherished, and considered. Why? Because had it not been for that criticism of society - that pulling on the soul of the Nation - there would have been no en to slavery. Without that tug on our conscience, there would have been no end of Jim Crow. And unless you're willing to argue that the end of slavery and Jim Crow were not good things, we must agree that the critical nature of the Black Church is something that has been a blessing to America. Embrace your blessing, America.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and "A More Perfect Union" - Pt. 1

Today we witnessed a very interesting occasion. Again, I am proud of Senator Obama. I can now state with confidence that the Senator understands true reparations. As we have been saying, we must heal the Black Nation. We must heal this American Nation. And while I don't say we have arrived, I am happy that Senator Obama used his overwhelmingly powerful platform to voice the dynamics of racism in America.

Reparations is about pursuing a more perfect union. It is not about being divisive or overthrowing this Country. As the Senator said, only in America is his unlikely story possible. Only in America can someone come from the bottom of society and maybe make it to the top. In India, if you're of the "untouchables," you'll always be untouchable. In many countries of the East, a woman has no chance to make it on her own. Because of the newness of Democracy in the former colonized world, it will be generations before those outside of the political elite have the opportunity to make advances.

Now, that doesn't make this Country perfect. But, this Country provides the framework to be perfected. In this Country, if we become serious about our political and economic destiny we will see serious gains.

Reparations is about pursuing a more perfect union. But, we know the media will not give you his comments in full; they will parse his words for whatever spin their motives desire. So, I have posted video Senator Obama. It is long, but you can pass-by what I see as trivial by going forward to minute 14 of the video.

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!