Proof that Reparations is STILL Needed...

At times, you'll hear people arguing against reparations.  They'll say: Reparations aren't needed...this stuff happened so long ago.  Why can't you people just get over it?

Well, here's a retort: "why can't you people just get over it?!"  It seems as if there's still need for repair on both sides of the color line.  Did you see this:

Obama Effigy Hung From Noose

It seems to me that reparations is still needed.  Minds still need to be changed.  Christianity is supposed to be a religion of love.  Yet, still our beloved faith is perverted by those who would use it as a bludgeon to oppress others.  Christ calls us to be reconciled, one to another in love.  Yet, this gentleman spews his hate.  As Dennis Brown said: "Love and Hate Can Never be Friends"

Dennis Brown 'Here I Come'

Here folks, is your proof that reparations is still needed.  All we need is to look at the anger and hatred that is being uncovered by the prospect of a "Black President."  Just like an unhealed wound, Obama's candidacy is the curious child picking at a scab...the wound now throbs with pain.

If we are to truly see CHANGE in America, we must begin "Taking Steps Towards Reparations."  If we do, we will reap beautiful fruits.  Let's get to work - for the sake of our Country.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Have You Seen the "Obama Bucks?"

What do you think?

When people can find no other way to express themselves than this, does it not scream for Reparations?

Reparations is not simply for the victim.  Or better, the victim is not simply the oppressed.  The oppressor (and descendants of the oppressor) are also victimized.  In many cases the oppressor's victimization is worse, for the oppressed at least know they've been victims.  The oppressor walks around arrogantly, thinking nothing is wrong with them while spewing their hatred.

We all need reparations!  Now more than ever...

Come and Get Your Reparations!

McCain - Palin, George Wallace & the Seeds of Hatred and Division

By now, many of you have heard the remarks by Civil Rights Warrior turned Congressman John Lewis.  In a statement dated October 11, 2008, Rep. Lewis said:

Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.

Everyone is up in arms about this comment.  Even people who agreed with the sentiment have distanced themselves from the implication that the actions of McCain and Palin are similar to those by Governor George Wallace.  Even John Lewis has distanced himself from the comments!

Rather than distance ourselves from those comments, Reparations demands that we take the time to deeply analyze the meaning.  As for me, I feel this is true.  The actions of McCain and Palin are similar to those by George Wallace.

Now, I know that hurts.  It hurts McCain deeply, and it angers his supporters.  Honestly, I don't believe McCain is a bigot.  He's a politician (a desperate one), and he's doing what modern politicians do: what it takes to win.  What he needs is excitement.  He needs energetic crowds.  Based on the demographics of his following, the easiest way to rev up the energy would be as he has done.

So, where are "the seeds of hatred and division?"  And, how has McCain been sowing them?

McCain - Palin's Tv Ad: "Dangerous"


People who think in terms of Reparations will understand this immediately.  And, others will understand by this explanation.  The point is not that McCain is racist.  The issue is the environment which is being created - giving comfort for those who are racist to spew their hatred.

Additionally, as in the "glorious days" of the Ku Klux Klan, the McCain Campaign has allowed "preachers" to spew their hatred in the form of prayer - giving comfort to bigots that they are doing God's work.  Watch this:

This is why we need reparations.  Without reparations, we end up with instances like this:

McCain Supporter At Rally: "Kill Him" - Note McCain's face (he heard it, but said nothing)

These types of comments are being heard all over.  These represent a taste of the (unintended) fruits of McCain's seeds.  And as difficult as it may be, McCain will have to face the results of his campaign efforts.

This is a delicate situation.  It shouldn't be - but it is.  Why?  Because we've never conferred reparations, and we've never had reconciliation.  It is a shame that people must walk on eggshells.  But unless and until we deal with the deep-rooted issues that divide us, we will remain divided.

The issue of racism is rearing its ugly head, and forcing us to deal with issues the mainstream wants to tell us are resolved.  And, it may not be too much to suggest we raise the racist threat level to high.  I hope nothing happens to any of us.  I would be saddened and disappointed, but not surprised.  Many people are having feelings with which they would rather not deal.  And, to be rid of those feelings some are spewing it from their mouths.  I hope that's as far as it goes...

That's why Reparations is much more than a check.  And, if people really want to have "real debate" on the "issues of concern" they will begin taking steps towards reparations, as I said here before.  And, by taking these steps we will be able to create a more perfect Union.

If you love America - you'll work for a more perfect Union, as our Constitution suggests.

If you love America - you'll Come and Get Your Reparations!

The Second Amendment - Ultimate Voter Protection

Today on Public Radio, I heard an interview with famed Investigative Reporter Greg Palast. He and Bobby Kennedy, Jr. produced a comic book entitled "Steal Back Your Vote."


You can download a copy of the comic book for a donation of any amount. In this comic book, the authors detail ways in which the powers that be are attempting to suppress the votes of Blacks and other minorities. It also details suggestions for how people can "steal back their votes."

Why is it that after the 15th Amendment, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and numerous subsequent provisions we are still talking about voter suppression? Why do we need a so-called "Help America Vote Act" and Election Assistance Commission? Why is it that with every problem, we enact more bureaucracy only to create further problems? This commission was established to deal with the problems of the 2000 Presidential Elections, only to result in the problems of the 2004 Presidential Elections.

Democrats will tell you the fault belongs to Republicans. But when asked why the Democrats won't stand strongly against these tactics, Greg Palast said both Parties are complicit. In a blog post entitled: "The 2008 Election Has Already Been Stolen," it's clear:

BuzzFlash: Then why do you think –

Greg Palast: — why don’t Democrats stand up?

BuzzFlash: The U.S. House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats. It’s like saying, well, $320 million is missing from a bank but we’re not going to investigate that.

Greg Palast: You’re forgetting it’s not about the two parties. Vote theft is mainly a racial issue in America, and it’s a class issue. The white caucus is a lot bigger than the black caucus. They don’t call the Congress a millionaire’s club for nothing. There aren’t many guys in there — or women — who are not millionaires. So it’s the millionaires versus us. It’s the white caucus versus the black caucus, which is of great concern. So the vote is along racial class and economic lines, not along party lines. Party lines are pretty much meaningless. There’s pretty much one party — the party of the cash. But I’m not one of these people that says there’s no difference between the Democratic and Republican Party. The question is: is the difference meaningful? That’s all. When it comes down to voter issues, remember that the Democrats in power there were elected under the racist, broken, classist system. If you fix the voting system, a third of those Democrats could never win a primary. The last thing that they want is poor people to vote.

Now, let me put a picture of Mr. Palast up here so you can see - he's a White man.

I have repeatedly stated that Reparations is a movement of Liberation - of Liberty. When will enough be enough? Reparations - again - cannot be had from external Acts of Congress. Reparations comes from a people freeing themselves from the whims of these thieves.

Behold the Second Amendment - the Right to Bear Arms. Jesse Ventura reminded us at the Rally for the Republic:

It's not about hunting and fishing. If our government gets out of control, we have the right to take it back.

Another site goes further:

The true purpose of the Second Amendment, as noted by Judge Silberman
in his opinion in the appellate court, is to ensure that we the people
would have the means to protect our inalienable rights, among those
rights are life, liberty and our individual pursuit of happiness,
against an oppressive government. And if our government were to violate
our social contract, the people would have a moral obligation “to throw
off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future
security.”

The Second Amendment is the ultimate voter protection. And, this is why that Amendment exists. Embrace the Second Amendment and watch voter suppression dissapear.

Vote fraud is an infringement upon our Constitutional Rights. It ushers in the tyranny of government against the governed. So long as we are unarmed, the powers that be are able to keep us away from the polls. Then to keep the wool over our eyes, they (Democrats) enact legislation to deepen the myth that they are "on our side."

Where is the Black Panther Party? Abiding by the law, they embraced the Second Amendment and armed themselves to defend the community from government tyranny. If they were still around, do you think we'd be talking about voter suppression? If there were armed Panthers standing outside of polling stations across the Country, do you think Blacks would be illegitimately turned away?

Firearms bans do serve a purpose in the Black community. But, it's not to protect us from crime. Criminals don't need the law in order for them to carry guns. So, don't be fooled that these laws keep guns off the street. They serve to prevent us from embracing Liberty and defending our inalienable rights. And, it will continue so long as we continue to allow it.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Taking Steps Towards Reparations

O God, may we, the Church, by acknowledging manifold sinfulness in the support of slavery and its associated evils, hereby pledge to adopt a new spirit and application for freedom and respect, leading to redemption and reconciliation, and may we, the Church, henceforth and ever, value and love others as we do ourselves.Here from the closing prayer of the opening litany for the Service of Repentance of the Episcopal Church, we find the formula. First we must acknowledge wrongdoing. Then we must pledge to change our ways. Lastly, we must take actions that lead to redemption and reconciliation.

Today, I attended the Service of Repentance at African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, PA. Let me start with this: I am a skeptic. One of the things which prevent me from being part of the Western Church is the hypocrisy in its absolute refusal to acknowledge its participation in the sin of slavery. If, we as Christians, are to be reconciled one to another, this denial is the ultimate apostasy, and an affront to the Gospel of Christ.

But, in taking steps towards reparations I must explore possibilities.

So, when I was informed about this "Service of Repentance" I had to see for myself - is it real? And, that remains to be seen. I will say this: I was humbled by the level of self-deprecation in the "Litany of Offense and Apology." With such a profound expression, I couldn't help but wonder if people were really hearing what they were saying.

Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori opened the service with these words:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, we are gathered here to express our most profound regret that the Episcopal Church lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on scripture, and after slavery was formally abolished, continued for at least a century to support de jure and de facto segregation and discrimination. We gather to repent, to apologize for our complicity in and the injury done by the institution of slavery and its aftermath and to amend our lives, to commit ourselves to opposing the sin of racism in personal and public life, and to create communities of liberation and justice.

To me - this is the basis for why reparations! Again, this is not about money. But, it is about the true Christian work of reconciliation. And, this is the work of the the Church for clearly the Church "lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on scripture."

So what is the reparative principle? Well for one, it means that the Church now has a duty to work to lend its support and justification based on scripture to ending racism wherever it exists. And, since the Church "continued for at least a century to support...segregation and discrimination," this commitment must not only be confined to "ending racism," but also - and most especially - to combating the disparities caused by the institution of slavery and the legacy of that institution (discrimination), on down to the present day.

In apologizing for her "complicity," the Church cannot simply say: "I'm sorry." As with personal scenarios, an apology proves futile if it is not accompanied by suggestions of what one will do differently in the future. That is taking steps towarsd reparations: having acknowledged wrongdoing, we must work to make things right. It is this "making things right" that helps to both "amend our lives" and "create communities of liberation and justice."

Reparations is absolutely necessary, and is the natural next step. Bishop Jefferts-Schori continued:

Therefore, I invite you to join me in recalling the lamentable events that scar our past and the wounds that continue in the present. Let us seek God's forgiveness that we may be transformed more fully into the Body of Christ witnessing to God's abundant love.

Many folks - especially Whites - on both sides of the color line are afraid to revisit the events of the past. The principle of Sankofa symbolizes one taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge. It is embodied by two different symbols.

I think these symbols are telling. Of course, we look back in order to understand our past and not repeat it. But, we look back in love - and with love, and for love. It is looking back, and taking ownership of what was done that will cause us to be transformed as a people and as a society.

If you are near an Episcopal Church (even if not Episcopalian), I challenge you to approach the Church to see what they have done and are doing in response to Resolution 123A. The question still remains: is it real? Is this going to be more than a perfunctory gesture to superficially absolve the Church in the eyes of men? Or will this be a truly committed effort to attain absolution in the eyes of God?

After speaking with Bishop Schori, I believe it is her intentions to see this be a committed effort. But, only time will tell if other forces will defeat "the best laid plans..." The battle is difficult, for this service was supposed to be held in the spotlight of Washington, D.C. in the National Cathedral. But, objections drove this effort out of the Nation's Capitol to the outskirts of Philly, where it could happen - almost - in secret.

In future pieces, I will further analyze the litany for you - detailing what it means for us as a people. I will also analyze Bishop Schori's sermon, and the striking things she said. As many have said, our hope is that the word "reparations" is no longer seen as a dirty word, but that people would embrace it as a means by which we can all come to be reconciled one to another, by the Grace of God.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Three Steps to Healing: Repentance, REPARATIONS and Reconciliation

In 2006, I spoke of Reparations as an Expression of Christian Love. But, it is also a Christian duty.

Today marked the commencement of the Episcopal Church's two-day Service of Repentance. (See article here.) Despite a mandate for the service to be held in the National Cathedral in DC, the service has been hidden away in a historic Black church in Philadelphia. As Dr. Harold Lewis noted, the legacy of slavery is a National Problem - not a Black problem. To deny it the gravitas of the Cathedral and our Nation's Capitol is not a good start.

When asked why they did not hold the Service of Repentance in the Nation's Capitol, the excuse was that it would be too expensive to use the Cathedral. In other words, it would be too expensive for the Church to use its own facilities?! Honestly, that smells fishy...I think we know the real reason for avoiding Washington, D.C.

Nevertheless, there is great work being done in certain pockets of the Episcopal Communion. For instance, the Diocese of Mississippi has formed a Committee on Racial Reconciliation that is recording Church History in the State as it relates to the institution of slavery. There is the Diocese of North Carolina that has conducted its own "Truth and Reconciliation Commission." And, there is the Diocese of Maryland with the Commission on Reparations for Slavery - yes, in Maryland.

As I think on what's been said, I begin to understand the way to relate the importance of this theme. There were churches that profited from slavery...churches that owned slaves. There were priests and bishops that owned slaves.

In the Episcopal Church's General Convention Resolution 123A we read:

Resolved, That we express our most profound regret that (a) The Episcopal Church lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on Scripture, and (b) after slavery was formally abolished, The Episcopal Church continued for at least a century to support de jure and de facto segregation and discrimination...

So, the Episcopal Church has at least acknowledged that it was complicit in the sin of slavery. They have further acknowledged that, that sin has had (and does have) a profound effect upon our society.

This conference took place after the Race and Reconciliation in America Conference that was hosted by former Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen and his wife - actress and playwright - Janet Langhart Cohen. At that conference, it was made clear that "reparations will bring about racial reconciliation." And at this conference, we see the crucial role that repentance plays in all of this.

One White person responded that the discussion was depressing, to which Dr. Lewis said: "the truth sometimes is." A later commentator - also White - reminded us that "gold is refined by fire," and that we must embrace the pain in order to reap the reward.

Reparations is the work of everyone - and it is legitimate (and much needed) work. Reparations should not be a dirty word. It should be a humbling word that helps us to own are faults so that we might truly repent and ultimately reconcile.

So, don't be afraid - Come and Get Your Reparations!

Why Obama Must Win

Many of you know I am hard on Barack Obama. And, I will continue to be - not because I dislike him...I have nothing against him: I've actually met him and think he's a nice guy. My issue is not with him...my issue is with us - Black people.

My criticism is because we cannot afford to simply rubber stamp any candidate - including a Black one. Yet, in the absence of any real choice (any choice that the majority will research) - and being faced with the lesser of two evils, it's a catch twenty-two. Do we elect the Black candidate (lesser) and at least have a Black man? Or, do we vote against the Black candidate (lesser) and prevent America from blaming Black people for the mess that will come, regardless of if it's McCain or Obama?

To achieve reparations requires us to make tough choices that may seem far fetched. But, that's the reality.

Yet - as I say constantly - I am race-first...not anti-anyone. But, I understand that of all Americans - Black Americans have long been furthest from the Cause of Liberty. And, ultimately Liberty is what we want. So, I must think thus: what puts us closer to the path of Liberty?

Honestly, the best thing would have been for Senator Obama to have lost the Democratic Primary. For or goal is to "capitalize on the new American political landscape." The problem is as Brother Malcolm said:

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...

Right now, Blacks are stuck in the Democratic Party. Not because we necessarily agree with their platform, but essentially because that's what we know. We don't challenge either Party on issues of particular concern, specifically to the Black Community. We simply accept their "cookie-cutter policies" hoping that one day 'ole massa will do right by us!

If Obama had lost in the Primary - if Hillary was allowed to steal the election, maybe Black people would have awakened to a new sense of awareness: neither Party has the interests of Black people at heart...neither has a solution. Maybe if he had lost, the stranglehold of the Democratic Pary would have been loosened, and we would have begun to challenge all Parties to speak to our issues. But, he won...so we move forward.

And, still hoping for a political awakening forces me to realize that only an Obama victory even has the potential to fulfill that goal. For, if he were to loose, the only thing we would do is blame racism - specifically Republican racism. This, in turn, would deepen our blind allegiance to the Democratic Party - leading us further down the road to serfdom.

This is why Obama must win. Or, maybe herein lies yet another angle for why he must not? What do you say?

Come and Get Your Reparations!