Reparations Means We Must Rise Above

We as a people have a habit of blaming "the man" and "the system" for our plight. And, yes there is a history of injustice and a culture of oppression that we must combat. No one can deny that the Black American experience has been very difficult; it will become more difficult if we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot.

I read a news article today about Bryant Purvis. He is one of the defendants in the Jena Six debacle. The Jena Six case is a revealing one of the injustice and racism that still permeates our society. Over 20,000 people descended upon Jena Louisiana to protest this injustice - only to have more racist acts exhibited. Our people coalesced on the issue and threw our support behind the boys in this cast. Yet, did we prepare those boys for the responsibility they now bear?

Try as they might, they cannot return to life before Jena Six. God has placed it on them that they will forever be marked as "one of the Jena Six." They have become examples: for good or for bad on the issue of racism and the divisions in America, and of the need for Reparations. Did we speak with those boys to let them know they can never escape that marker? Their only choice is to wear that badge with honor or bring it to shame.

Reparations means we must rise above our situations and, indeed, above ourselves. We must know that after certain instances we will be regarded with greater scrutiny. It may be difficult, but who are we to resent the Cross given for us to bear? May we bear our Cross - heavy though it may be - with joy and gladness...boldly giving ourselves to something greater than ourselves!

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Defending Our Hopes

Wow! Last nights results were tremendous! No one thought Barack Obama would be able to compete. Clinton and the pundits felt the race would be over after Super Tuesday. But it's not, and now many feel as though this race will come to a photo finish at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

This election is all about the delegates. Because of this, many are saying the Hilary Clinton will fight to have the delegates of Florida and Michigan count. Regardless of how we feel about not counting those votes, it was the rules of the game by which everyone played. If Hilary didn't agree with it, she should have protested adamantly before things commenced. Those delegates were stripped a long time ago...it was not a recent thing.

We have seen far too often that the "Establishment" does not want change. We know that "they" really don't want to see a Black president. We must see it as possible for the DNC to join forces with Clinton in order to beat down the will of the people. We live in an oligarchical society that prefers the status quo.

I say this not to be defeated, but that we might stand firm. Reparations demands that we join forces and defend our hopes. We must not be reactive...if there's anything we've learned from the Bush Presidency is that this is the era of preemption. So, here's an appeal for all who believe in hope: Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Red and whatever else. Preempt this! Petition Congress now! Write op-eds and letters to the editors, now! Sit-in at the DNC now! We cannot wait, and we must not be denied! Do not let them steal our hope! We will stand firm! We will prevail! We will have change - NOW!

Come - Go - and Get Your Reparations!

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!

Reparations Means Standing for the Jena 6

I really don't think there's much more I need to say. Reparations means standing for the Jena 6. Just as the Jews say "never again," in response to their peoples oppression and not allowing their people to be oppressed again, so should we say NEVER AGAIN will Black people be subjected to Jim Crow - state sponsored - terrorism.

In this "War on Terror," can we count on President Bush to bring to justice the terrorists in Jena who terrorized the community? Can we count on him to hold accountable those who reeked havoc through nooses, shot gun threats and other antagonisms? We need to direct our protests to the Commander in Chief. We cannot allow him to use the excuse that this is a state issue, and that the state should handle it. He invaded Iraq...he didn't stand back and let Iraq handle their own issue. This is the Country in which he has a responsibility to ensure that the principles of democracy are upheld.

Reparations demands that we all do something to ensure the exoneration of the Jena 6. Be vigilant! Press forward! Now is the time to "Come and Get your Reparations!"

Reparations Means No More Clinton Sanctioned Genocide

On tonight's "Democratic You Tube Debate" the issue of Darfur was raised. Senator Biden said that US troops need to be on the ground in Darfur, enforcing a "No-fly Zone." When Hilary Clinton was asked if US troops should be on the ground, she said no. Further, she stated that "now is not the time for US troops to be in Darfur." I wonder if that is what her husband, Bill Clinton, said while millions were being slaughtered in Rwanda...

Reparations means that we DO NOT allow the Clinton Regime to cost us another million African lives.

Reparations means: Gay Rights are not Civil Rights!

I'm watching these "You Tube Debates" and Anderson Cooper is going to ask Senator Obama about the difference between inter-racial marriage and gay marriage. I am so tired hearing people try to compare the struggle against slavery and Jim Crow to someone's right to be gay. IT IS NOT THE SAME!!!

Has any gay person been lynched, tarred and feathered, rapped by their master, bought, sold, bartered? Has any gay person ever had their families stripped from them? Have gay people been packed on ships? Have they been stolen from their homes and forced to work for free? Have police dogs ever been released on them? Have gay people ever been beaten by mass forces of police? Have homosexuals had firefighters unleash water cannons on them? Have they been whipped to a pulp? Have they had limbs severed in search of freedom?

Now, I don't wish that experience on anyone. However, until homosexuals share in our experience they have no right to share in our legacy. You do not hear anyone making comparisons between the struggle of immigrants and the plight of holocaust victims. Yet, the experience of Black Americans is continuously belittled and degraded. Reparations mandates that we defend our legacy from those who would trample upon it for their own gain.