Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS: September 2012

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Before I tell you what you already know about how great the Democratic National Convention was - which just recently wrapped up in Charlotte, North Carolina - allow me to put some very important tasks on your agenda:

Number One:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 – TWO DAYS FROM NOW – IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION DATE FOR NEW YORKERS. In case no one sent you the memo, there are several important races happening, and you have to make it your business to get up, get out, vote, and make sure everybody else does too. If we want to make sure New York maintains a majority that will fully support and implement President Obama's policies when he is re-elected in November, we have to do our part this September.

Now, I know this is an unusual date for New York, but in light of the fact that the 9/11 Ceremonies take place on Tuesday, the special election date was changed to accommodate the ceremonies. It's up to us to make the adjustment and show up at the polls as though we were voting for the President himself. And, in a sense, we are, really. These are the people we'll need, up and down the line to make sure his policies are not screwed up by some miscreant vengeful rep-ugh-blican who has no sense of humanity. SO GET UP, GET OUT, AND VOTE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012. Don't say nobody told you.

You can't afford to sleep this one – everything under the sun is up for grabs. While I do my share of political coverage, I by no means am an expert in totally understanding the ins and outs of New York Politics. It really is a horse of a different color. But I would daresay, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens – if you value your community, your safety and your future, you'd better be about it. The fact that there are so many seats and positions up for grabs indicates that this election is as pivotal as the Presidential election which takes place on November 6.

It appears that there is very little in the way of PR about it – which is all the more reason we cannot be caught unawares. Rather than list, individually, the names and status of the different candidates who are running, I am going to include the website from the BOARD OF ELECTIONS, so that you can pinpoint for yourselves the candidates that are running. Be prepared to walk in and vote, not really knowing who many of the candidates are – because there are several names I don't recognize myself.

That said, here is the link: Board of Elections in the City of New York - Candidates List Federal Primary Election on June 26, 2012: Primary Election on September 13, 2012: Candidates List: Contest List - Primary Election 2012 - 9/13/2012 (PDF) Home | About ...
vote.nyc.ny.us/candidateslist.html

I wanted to make sure you did not overlook this important link, so I included the entire portal. If you can't click on it, cut and paste it into your browser's address line.

We cannot afford to sit here like bumps on a log and not know what's going on in our communities, right under our noses. Interesting isn't it, though New York did not impose any of the repressive voter ID and registration laws on us that others are fighting against throughout the country, they may not have to – we can just sit back in apathy and ignorance and accomplish the same thing self disenfranchisement – where lose our rights by default of the fact that we are not tuned in to what's up.

Well, not on my watch. Not on the watch of others like Brooklyn's District Leader Robert Cornegy in the 56th AD, who has been working tirelessly in the Obama campaign, while at the same time serving his community; or Darlene Mealy, who was out meeting and greeting voters at the #3 Utica Station in Brooklyn. Mealy, a former transit worker, was elected because she saw the disparity in services in her community, as well. Inez Barron, who is running for re-election in the 60th Assembly District.

In addition to those I've mentioned, Brooklyn might also want to be aware of the following who are seeking to serve: Martin Milave Dilan, in the 18th Senatorial District; William Boyland in the 55th Assembly District; Walter Mosely III and Olanike Alabi are both running in the 57th Assembly District; Rodneyese Bichotte and Rhoda Jacobs are running in the 42nd Assembly District; Terry Hinds and N. Nick Perry are running in the 58th Assembly District; Cyril Joseph is running in the 54th Assembly District; Charles Barron running for Male State Committee member. These are key positions. Don't sleep this. We cannot afford to be on the late show.

Those of you in these districts have very important jobs to do. Get out and vote, get out the vote, make sure everybody in your family, neighborhood, community votes. Get your vans mobilized to pick up the elderly; or just carpool with your neighbors – whatever it takes. This is the dry run for November 6th's Presidential Election. Make no mistake about it.

You may also notice that there are a large number of opportunities to select Delegates to the Judicial Convention and their alternates. You may well ask, as I did, “Hmmmm, what in the Sam Hill is a judicial convention?” (Okay, you didn't say “sam hill”). But, since I thought inquiring minds might like to know why there is such a large, long list of people vying for these positions, I have included some info from Amazon.com's AskVille:
Question: What is a judicial convention, what do the delegates do? The real issue is to understand How NY Supreme Court Justices are selected.

Answer: They are nominated, usually from the ranks of Criminal Court, Civil Court or Family Court Judges during what is know as a judicial convention. Election to the Supreme Court of the State of New York - General Comments – The following information is a description of the current statutory scheme for election to the State Supreme Court. Democrats are most often elected as Supreme Court Justices in New York City as a result of New York City's predominantly Democratic electorate. Under current procedures, each political party holds a judicial nominating convention for each judicial district. The conventions are attended by delegates elected in each Assembly District or, in some cases, a part thereof, at the primary immediately preceding the election involved. N.Y. Election Law § 6-124. The rules governing time, place and procedure of conventions are left to committees appointed under the rules of the state committee of each political party. Id. § 6126(1).

For administrative purposes, New York State is divided into 12 judicial districts, with the following judicial districts in New York City (N.Y. Judiciary Law § 140): First District - Manhattan (New York) Second District - Brooklyn (Kings) and Staten Island (Richmond) 8
Eleventh District - Queens Twelfth District - Bronx
Each judicial district has the following number of justices of the Supreme Court (N.Y. Judiciary Law § 140-a): First District - 38 Second District - 52 Eleventh District - 38 Twelfth District - 24
Nominees need not be enrolled members of the political party by selected from among sitting Criminal Court, Civil Court or Family Court Judges. which they are nominated. Historically, Supreme Court nominees usually have been”

So, now you know. So when you start marking your ballot, pay attention to who it is you're selecting to select our next supreme court justices. The justices serve for 14 years (too bad they don't have term limits for the US Supreme Court Justices, as well).

You will also notice quite a few candidates for New York County Committee. So, it might help to know what is the role of a County Committee Member? There are four County Committee seats in each municipal election district: one male Democrat, one female Democrat, one male Republican, and one female Republican. Statewide, there are over 24,000 seats. Half of these are reserved for women. A county committee person represents an average of 350 of their neighbors. They represent the interests of their neighbors at local Democrat or Republican meetings. County Committee members are elected every two years in the state primary election. The most recent election was two years ago. To be considered for County Committee, you must be 18, you must be a declared member the Democrat or Republican Party; and you must be registered to vote in your local election district.

Number Two:
Those of you who have high school students who will be 18 by or before the November 6 Presidential Election should make absolutely sure they are registered and prepared to vote in the upcoming election. If you have proof of their date of birth, get them registered NOW! This is not rocket science. No vote, no president; we return to the bad old days of being Bushwacked.

Number Three:
Those of you who are in college here in New York City or State must register to vote immediately; and get your classmates registered as well. This is no time for absentee ballots. You can use your dormitory or place of residence as your current address. And remember, it was President Obama who made it possible for you to receive up to $5500 in Pell Grant Funds; and who has set up student loan pay off programs that is calibrated to your salary, rather than a hammer that keeps you poor once you complete your education, and so mired in debt you can't see your way clear. You and your peers must register and vote, make it viral, campus to campus to turn out the largest ever student voting bloc for the re-election of President Obama.

Number Four: Remember to stay away from Mitt-twits and the 3-R's: Romney, Ryan and Rep-ugh-blicans. They are the new 666.

Number Five:
African American Brothers and Sisters, and people of African Heritage (i.e., Africans, Caribbean, Puerto Rican, Dominicans, Haitians, etc.), who reside in the US, and are registered voters - you are conspicuous by your absence. I don't see you in the numbers that I see others of different racial groups –

I'M JUST MAKING IT PLAIN: YOU CAN'T LET OTHERS DO YOUR DOING FOR YOU AND IT'S 102% UP TO YOU TO BACK THIS BROTHER ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR A SECOND TERM. The Chinese have a GOTV for Obama, as well as other groups. What are you holding back for??? – do you need to see it in neon?

The embarrassment of the century would be that we did not actively involve ourselves, our families, our community in the open and visible support of President Obama. Your supporting him in spirit is fine, and I'm sure, much appreciated. Praying for him is also absolutely essential.

However, you now have to step up to the plate – the way First Lady Michelle Obama did when she delivered that wonderful speech for the President on September 4; and the way former President Bill Clinton did when he knocked it out of the park in his speech on September 5.

You got to step up the way Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter did when he stood for the US Mayors. The way Kerrie Washington did when she spoke in behalf of the President.

You've got to show up the way Khalil Kain did when he came back from California to sit with New Yorkers in support of President Obama (he did it in 2008, too!).

You've got to commit the way so many volunteers have done during the convention, who went to Charlotte on their own steam from Arkansas, Philadelphia, Arizona, California, New York State, Harlem, DC, Mississippi, Florida, and all over the US. Phone calls, voter registration in battle ground states; fund raising; teaching and learning.

Time to show him and the world our love, as well as our support, our appreciation and our votes. Don't let the rep-ugh-blicans take your rights from you; don't let them intimidate you; don't let them return you to the jim crow days when you paid a poll tax and had to know how many bubbles there were in a bar of soap. There are so many who fought and died to make sure you had the right to vote. I don't care who you are, how busy you think you are, or how poor you say you are – you and your vote make a difference; and you are needed to make that difference, so that President Obama can continue the good work he's begun to make life different, and better for us all.

There's a deadline looming for voter registration, and it may be different for each state. It's up to you to make sure that you have done your part as a Black man or woman to stand for a man who has taken his life in his hand (and you know it's true) to stand for you.

Let your Obama shine through – not only with you, but your kids, even those who are too young to vote now, can wear tee shirts, buttons, caps, arm bands. If the school objects, maybe it's not the place you want to educate your children. If you have a child in a school that does not support the President, perhaps you might want to question what else they're teaching your child that's inappropriate. Let your Obama shine through by bumper stickers on your cars, placards in your windows – Obamatize yourselves.

Learn some Obama quotes – teach them to your kids; your friends. He has made some profound statements, well worth remembering and repeating. When you read or hear some propagandistic crap in the media about the President or the First Lady or the First Daughters, or the Vice President, call them on it. Don't just let it slide. We have to be the eyes and ears and filters of the garbage that is being spewed out on a daily basis. Take it on – you attack Obama, you attack the American people. STOP!!!

And remember – AN OBAMA A DAY KEEPS THE MITT-TWITS AWAY! Always have something positive to say about the President. If you need facts, you can always find it on his website.

Stay informed and stay involved.

And, Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
NEW YORKERS REMEMBER TO VOTE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 !!

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Kudos to the NAACP for having won a major victory in Texas in the ongoing fight against the rep-ugh-blicans efforts to drag us backwards into the 19th century: the federal court struck down the Texas Voter ID law, stating it unfairly discriminated against “communities of color and was, therefore, in vioilation of Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.”

Hopefully this will send a clear signal to other states that are trying to disenfranchise Black voters – including South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania and other states, which are covered by the Voting Rights Act. Section 5 spells out specific states that have a history of discriminatory practices. These states come under special scrutiny whenever they attempt to make any changes to their voting laws. Caution in making sure they do not reinstate racially discriminatory policies has to be exercised.

In order to make sure the other states and their judicial jurisdictions get the message and follow the example of Texas, the NAACP is circulating a petition, which I am enclosing below. Sign it, pass it on to all your friends and colleagues and have them sign and do likewise.

For those who question the efficacy of the NAACP, I think it sufficient to say that their place in our culture, history and future is secured. Make no mistake, they did not make it through 103 years by not taking care of business. Do they make mistakes? Of course. But their successes far outweigh their failures. And their perseverance still far outreaches that of any of their contemporary detractors, who have yet to show any results other than their penchant for criticism.

That said, there is still time for the rest of us to do our part by not only signing and forwarding the petition below, but also joining forces with your local Obama For President Campaign Headquarters, and Organizing for America, and helping those of your family, friends and acquaintances in battle ground states register and vote; as well as ensuring they have the appropriate I.D.

Now that the Mitt-twits convention has ended, and we're moving forward to the real deal, the DNC in Charlotte, NC, it's time to really get down to serious business: that of staying on message, staying on point, consolidating our efforts, and building the links and unity that we need to effect a decisive victory on November 6th.
So make sure you sign this petition, supporting the work of the Department of Justice, advocating against discriminatory voting laws:

http://action.naacp.org/page/s/voting-is-not-a-privilege-it-is-a-right-

Per Jotaka L. Eaddy, NAACP Senior Director, Voting Rights Initiative of the NAACP: “This summer has been a showdown between those who support equality and those who would suppress our right to vote. But the tide is turning. Across the U.S., the NAACP and our partners are working with key state officials and the Department of Justice to fight laws that deny some voters a voice in our democracy. And slowly, battles are being won. The Michigan State Conference and the national NAACP advocated against Michigan’s proposed restrictive voting law changes—paving the way for Governor Rick Snyder to veto three measures that would have potentially impacted tens of thousands of Michigan citizens. In Florida, we had a victory when the courts permanently removed harsh restrictions on voter registration drives. In a separate court decision, we stopped Florida’s attempt to shorten early voting days from 12 to 8 – including eliminating voting on the Sunday before Election Day, a day when our Souls to the Polls program moves voters from the pews to the ballot to the box. We can win this fight. The law is on our side. Together we can make it known to all Americans that this is not just an NAACP fight—it is a fight for our very democracy. Click this link, or copy and paste this link, and sign our petition today:

http://action.naacp.org/page/s/voting-is-not-a-privilege-it-is-a-right-

You know the responsibility to vote and the history of our movement protecting the right to vote—so let’s push back on this attack on our voting rights and work to strike down all discriminatory voting laws across the nation. Help us clear the way for our community to be heard on Election Day!”

“It's on,” as they say, and “we're in!”

The reports about being out-contributed, out-financed mean nothing, if we all remember that We The People have the final say in everything – and as long as we're not out-voted the outcome will be the way we out pictured it from the beginning.

Remember make it your business to say, write, read and share something positive about President Barack Obama every day, from this point forward – because an Obama-A-Day keeps the Mitt-twits away.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

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NAACP Victorious in Overturning Voter ID in Texas

Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog