By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All!
Can
you believe it!!!??? It's been 25 years since Brother Rev. Jesse L.
Jackson launched his epochmaking Wall Street Project. I almost remember
the exact day he made the announcement from the prestigious offices of
Mitchell-Titus LLP Accounting on Wall Street. That was in 1996, telling
the news media, the world, and more importantly, Black people, that he
was going to finally focus on the disparity in wealth and access Black
people faced in a caucasoid environment. Rev. Jackson had long held the
concept that integration and holding political office were necessary,
but not sufficient for Black people to become autonomous and independent
in a racist society. To achieve economic parity, one must understand
the economic forces that are brought to bear - especially in a society
that gained most of it's wealth from the very backs of our ancestors.
More than reparations - which may or may not come in our lifetime - is
understanding, participating in, and controlling the forces of
capitalism as it applies to us individually and collectively.
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
I
was there at the announcement; I was there at the kick off which was
held on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, and in some very
cramped areas of the World Trade Center - they tried so hard to make us
as uncomfortable as they possibily could, thinking that would discourage
us. I remember the early workshops that were held at Trinity Church,
and other bastions of caucasoid largesse - and the walking tour Jesse
took us on through Broad Street to show us where our monies were
managed.
Throughout
the 25 years I've covered the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project ECONOMIC
SUMMIT, I have been blown away by the wealth of knowledge that has been
presented to us! I've written about it, and encouraged many of our
rank and file brothers and sisters to come, observe, learn and apply
their new knowledge to their own lives. I have marveled at the fact
that the Rev. Jesse Jackson is a true genius - often underrated by many
of his own people, but highly regarded by those in the realm of finance
and empire building.
Until
the bombing of the World Trade Center, the Summit was held on Wall
Street - and then relocated to midtown Manhattan's Sheraton, where it's
been held continuously ever since. Covid=19/Delta/Omicron kept it
virtual after that - and this year in 2022, there is to be a hybrid of
in person and via Zoom conferences. And it couldn't come at a more
opportune time - with so many forces and sources driving the economic
train off the rails at the present time, it will be interesting to see
what the predictions are for the future of Black economic development.
If
you haven't already done so, register for the upcoming ECONOMIC SUMMIT
the information and schedules are below.
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| Gloria DULAN-Wilson |
