Reparations Means Perseverance

By now it has become clear that I support Senator Barack Obama's Presidential Bid. I hope that it is also clear why I support Senator Obama. Yet, if not let me restate: just as Jesse Jackson's run for President was part of a larger movement (even if part of a larger ego), this run is part of a larger movement. I support Senator Barack Obama because I support making progress in the struggle of our people, and in the larger struggle of bringing freedom and prosperity to our Country and to the disfranchised of society.

Because of the numerous emails I have sent to my readers, I have received responses from those concerned by how I am taking the news of Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. (Well first, I must point out that Senator Obama did split the delegates, so Senator Clinton only gained four on his lead.) But, the question still looms: how do I - indeed how should we - take what seems to be a setback? People are saying he needs to "go negative." They are calling for Senator Obama to "take the gloves off." The pundits are saying that Senator Obama has been slapped and he must slap back.

Well, I must remind you of what the Lord has said, if you have been "slapped on the right cheek, turn the other also." We must remember: this is so much bigger than what we see. He doesn’t have to go negative. Actually, to keep the favor of God he must remain above the fray. This is a test – from God – as to what he will do when his back is against the wall. Will he continue to trust the Lord Who has brought him this far? Or, will he trust in the methods of man?

So, how do I take it? I take it as a sign of our larger struggle: we must remain undeterred.

Reparations means perseverance. Yes, we have seen tremendous progress in this campaign. And, we have seen tremendous progress in the Civil Rights Movement. We have seen amazing gains as a people. But, the trend has been that when we encounter a setback we loose momentum and succumb to the "powers that be." Our ancestors and elders faced many setbacks. There were many times in the Course of Change where those against change seemed to deflate the movement. But with heads bloodied, yet unbowed, our people carried on.

This is not a campaign posting!

This is a call to stand. This is a posting using the metaphor that is Obama for America in order to hold ourselves to account. This campaign is a test for us...will we persevere or will we succumb to defeat? Since Dr. King's assassination, we can see a trend where racial disparities on all fronts have grown. The achievement gap has been enlarged. It's as if we have saw those setbacks and the slowing of momentum and threw our hands up in defeat.

Reparations means we must persevere! We must carry on in the face of adversity. Consider this your gut-check. Gather your strength. Then, Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Confronting Racism Properly

Louisiana strikes again. Could it be the most unjust State in the Union? We have the Jena 6, the Angola 3 and now there surface rampant reports of racial profiling and discrimination in Bunkie, Louisiana. Now, I know reports are just that - reports. Yet, it seems to me that the truth could be revealed with a little attention.

Why is it that Black people have to endure such "justice?" When there are numerous complaints about a single police officer we must at least take a serious look at the situation. Here's a quote from a local Bunkie attorney: “When you got one defendant saying the cops are planting evidence and faking drug cases, you brush it off. But when every guy you represent has the same story, you start to see a pattern. All these little towns have bad cops; but this Jeansonne fellow is totally out of control.”

As it was said, "these little towns have bad cops." And, we must understand that these little towns still act as little kingdoms where nothing moves against the will of the local aristocracy. And, the rule of those aristocrats is "status quo."

Reparations demands that we use technology to challenge the status quo. Business as usual can only occur in these towns because of isolation. These quasi-aristocrats can act with impunity because they face no challenges, for the local residents fear their wrath. Yet, the internet removes isolation.

All we want is justice. And, that begins with a transparent investigation. In issues like this - especially in Louisiana - we cannot depend on the local and state authorities to do anything. We must take this to a higher level.

Congressman Rodney Alexander represents Louisiana's Fifth District and the town of Bunkie, Louisiana. Contact his office and ask his opinion on the issue...ask for a statement from his office. Let him know that we expect him to look into this issue and see it through to resolution.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Applauding When Our Leaders See the Light

It's taken about as long as it's taken Senator Clinton to express regret for her Iraq War vote (20 debates) for Congressman John Lewis to support the proper candidate for President. Until today, he was "torn" on who to support and had endorsed Senator Clinton. Yet, today I am relieved to hear that he has taken the brave and humble stance to switch his support.

Now, I understand how this could be tough to switch. Yes, his head was bloodied on the bridge in Selma. But, that was a no-brainer. As he says, he was a longtime friend of Bill Clinton and of Hilary. This shows the transformation of the Civil Rights movement. Because some of us were able to integrate and assimilate, we have developed friendships - legitimate friendships, deep friendships - with White people. But, we are still faced with the cause that has yet to be completed. That's the decision we have to make...to still stand for the cause and see it through to the end. And, the test of these friendships is this: do these friends understand why the cause must come first? So, do Bill and Hilary Clinton call John Lewis and let him know - not only that they understand his decision - but they further understand that this decision had to be made?

Part of Reparations involves healing and restoring. So, for his actions today John Lewis has made some steps in the right direction. Now, we must see if his shift is more than only support for Obama in vote only. Or, will he reign in these other Civil Rights stallwarts (i.e. Andrew Young) and Black icons (i.e. Magic and Bob Johnson) so that they too will come to see the light? Will he lend his "clout" with the movement and the political establishment to strengthen Senator Obama's coalition?

Will Congressman Lewis' switch go beyond the Democratic Primary and Presidential Elections? Will he begin to refocus on the constituency he was elected to represent? Will he continue to champion the cause that still has yet to be completed?

He was elected to Congress because the people were confident that he would be a staunch and uncompromisable advocate for the rights and advancement of Black people in America. Will this switch spark him to help move the CBC more in-line with the issues facing the Black Community? That remains to be seen.

What should we do? Contact John Lewis' office and commend him for the switch. And, let his office know that his family (the Black Community) is here to provide comfort and to welcome him back to the struggle for our people.

My Brothers, My Sisters: Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and the Black Family

What will this image do for your children? How will this make you feel, against the backdrop of history that goes into being Black in America?



Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Mean Not Drinking the Kool-Aid (or the Malt Liquor)

Kudos to Jack and Jill Politics for posting this.

Personally, I have never agreed with the sentiment the Bill Clinton is the so-called first Black President. Why? Because he cheated on his wife? Because he smoked marijuana and lied about it? Because he plays the saxophone? Because as Andrew Young said (I love you brother - but you wrong), Bill has "slept with more Black women than Obama?" Maybe it's because he gentrified Harlem?

Crazy: Reparations means not drinking the kool-aid and believing the hype. Reparations means not looking to White folk for an example of Blackness. Are the only positive Black folks White? Reparations means debunking the madness. But, I give you the words of my other brother - Dick Gregory...maybe he can put this in perspective for us. He's got his reparations.

Got Yours?



Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Remebering the Struggles & Repairing Black Women

An Alpha brother of mine emailed this to me and I thought we should all take a look and get our minds right.

Reparations is easiest explained, "repair nations." To repair the Black Nation, we must repair our women...brothers, to repair our women we must repair ourselves. Let's Educate Ourselves...



Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Deflecting Subtle Racism

Ok...

You would think they would learn from the experience of South Carolina. But, I guess not...the Clinton Campaign is at it again. There can be no excuse; there can be no saying that we are over-critical; there can be no cries of misinterpretation.

If Bill Clinton is the "friend of the Black Community" and "First Black President" that people claim him to be, he must understand. We witnessed Bill Clinton's antics in the South Carolina Democratic Primary. And, now it seems we must further realize how pervasive the the racist undertones of this election are.

Today, Hilary Clinton said, "shame on you, Barack Obama." She told him he needs to meet her so she can talk to him about his "behavior." Are you SERIOUS?!?! Is this 2008 or 1908? Maybe have a debate about his tactics...ok - patience. But, about his behavior? As they would say in Britain, "surely you jest!"

As one political strategist said, "this is nothing more than a savvy way of calling him 'boy.'" Reparations means that in the 21st Century we will no longer accept the condescending tone of seemingly benevolent people - White, Black or Brown (or any other shade for that matter). Reparations means that we contact the campaign and let them know - tactfully - that we do not appreciate her tone...that we expect an apology.

I'm not even saying you have to support Obama. Even those of us who may not support him - of all races and all political persuasions - can see the negative tones of such comments. And, all of us should be disturbed by such comments...they have no place in post-Jim Crow America. So find the Clinton Campaign location nearest to you, and give them a call.

Come and Get Your Reparations!