Hello All: Attorney General Eric Holder
recently released this information in reference to the recent decision
in Ferguson to not indict Darren Wilson for cold blooded murder of an
unarmed teen, Michael Brown, and the violent response on the part of the
residents of Ferguson. I'm posting it here so that you can be apprised of the efforts being made on the Attorney General's and the President's part to ensure that, going forward, there were be a serious reduction in police brutality and unwarranted (and unpunished) police shootings. Of course, the key question on most people's lips is will the Attorney General try this as a civil rights or wrongful death; and will there be an investigation of the members of the Ferguson grand jury?
Following Michael Brown's tragic death, millions of people across the
nation and around the world have focused their attention on unfolding
events in Ferguson, both grieving together and making their voices
heard. In recent days, many have been captivated by ongoing developments,
anguished emotions, peaceful protests -- and, too often, deeply
unfortunate images of unnecessary destruction. And this tragic incident
has sparked a necessary, national conversation about the need to ensure
trust and build strong relationships between law enforcement officials
and the communities they serve. Events in Ferguson have revealed a deep distrust between a community
and its police force. But this reality is not limited to one location.
Other communities around this country know this struggle all too well.
And it's abundantly clear that every single one of us has a role to play
in tackling this problem together, as a nation -- to identify those
things that bind us, and to be honest with one another about the things
that continue to divide us. In August, President Obama ordered a review of federal funding and
programs that provide equipment to state and local law enforcement
agencies. Yesterday, the Administration released that review's findings
-- and announced key next steps to strengthen the trust in and
effectiveness of the policing of our communities. Learn more about yesterday's announcements, and the findings of the Administration's review. Here are the next steps we're taking:
Creating a new task force to promote the expansion of 21st century community-oriented policing.
Reforming how the federal government equips local law enforcement, particularly with military-style equipment.
Advancing the use of body-worn cameras and promoting proven community policing initiatives.
I know this has been a difficult time for people in Ferguson, and for
many others across the country. It will take time for things to get
better. But as I assured Ferguson residents during my visit there, in
August, the Obama administration is firmly committed to making the
progress we need -- and that all of our citizens deserve. The changes that the President announced yesterday are exactly the
sorts of programmatic steps that will bring the right people together to
engage in a constructive, national conversation -- so we can build
trust, address persistent concerns, and protect public safety while
respecting the rights of every American. Last Tuesday, addressing the public, the President said, "[to] those
who are prepared to work constructively, your President will work with
you." I am committed to answering the President's call to see this
through -- as are the men and women of the United States Department of
Justice. Learn
more about yesterday's announcements here -- and spread the word to
anyone who wants to know how we're moving forward as a nation. Thank you, Eric H. Holder, Jr.
Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and around the country have
grabbed the attention of the nation and the world, and have highlighted
the importance of strong, collaborative relationships between local
police and the communities that they protect. Today, the Administration announced new steps we’re
taking to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement agencies
and the communities they are obligated to protect and serve, including:
Advancing the use of body worn cameras and promoting proven community policing initiatives
Creating a new task force to promote expansion of the
community-oriented policing model, which encourages strong relationships
between law enforcement and the communities that they serve as a proven
method of fighting crime
Reforming how the federal government equips state and local law enforcement – particularly with military-style equipment
Get more details about these new actions below.
Increasing the use of body worn cameras, and improving community policing
The President has proposed a three-year, $263 million investment package that will:
Increase police officers’ use of body worn cameras
Expand training for law enforcement agencies (LEAs)
Add more resources for police department reform
Multiply the number of cities where the Department of Justice facilitates community and local LEA engagement
Part of the proposal is a new Body Worn Camera Partnership Program,
which would provide a 50 percent match to states and localities that
purchase body worn cameras and requisite storage. In fact, the proposed
$75 million, three-year investment could help purchase 50,000 body worn
cameras. As noted in a recent report
released by Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Police
Executive Research Forum (PERF), evidence shows that body worn cameras
help strengthen accountability and transparency, and that officers and
civilians both act in a more positive manner when they're aware that a
camera is present.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with
elected officials, community and faith leaders, and law enforcement
officials to discuss how communities and law enforcement can work
together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country.
(Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Building public trust while keeping crime rates down
The President is planning to create a Task Force on 21st Century Policing, chaired by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, who also serves as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Police Association; and Laurie Robinson, professor at George Mason University and former Assistant Attorney General for DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs. The task force – which will include law enforcement representatives
and community leaders, among others – has a threefold purpose:
Build on the extensive research that’s being conducted by DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Examine how to promote effective crime reduction while building public trust
Prepare a report and recommendations within 90 days of the task force’s creation
Reforming how the federal government equips local law enforcement
In August, the President ordered a review of federal funding and
programs that help equip state and local law enforcement agencies
(LEAs). Over the course of the review, the White House explored whether
existing federal programs:
Provide LEAs with equipment that is appropriate for what their communities need
Ensure that LEAs have adequate policies in place for use of the
equipment, and that their personnel are trained and certified on how to
use this equipment
Encourage LEAs to employ practices and standards that prevent misuse or abuse of this equipment
The final report, released
today, finds inconsistencies in how these federal programs are
structured, implemented, and audited. The report also identifies four
areas of further focus that could help ensure that these programs help
maximize the safety and security of both police officers and their
communities:
Local community engagement
Federal coordination and oversight
Training requirements
The community-policing model
In light of this review, President Obama is planning to issue an
Executive Order directing relevant agencies to work together and with
law enforcement and civil rights and civil liberties organizations to
develop specific recommendations within four months. Learn more:
It should come as no surprise, given their other attempts at undermining President Barack Obama and the 99% American citizens, that the sitting Rep-ugh-blicans would find some bogus reason for finding Attorney General Eric Holder in "contempt" of Congress. But, since this is probably the most "contemptible" Congress since the overturning of the Jim Crow laws under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Holder may well wear it as a badge of honor, as opposed to one of disgrace.
We who overunderstand the situation salute Eric Holder for maintaining his cool and professionalism under what has to have been the most ludicrous and thinly veiled mockery ever perpetrated in modern political history.
Can you spell RACISM boys and girls? And it is no accident that racism starts with the letter "r" Republicans Acting Crazy In the Same Manner - could well be the true acronym for the travesty that played out in congress - wasting thousands of our tax dollars; obviously pockets lined by NRA dollars, to try to undermine Holder's authority and detract from the good job he is doing under an equally competent President.
I wanted to find out just what this whole thing is about, so I looked up the "operation fast and furious" info, and found out that it was generated quite some time prior to Holder coming on board as Attorney General, and generated out of Arizona - notably a cowboy state - hence the monicker "fast and furious" to indicate that it centered around guns. Now, being from Oklahoma myself, and having had a dad who routinely kept his own stash of guns, I have nothing against guns, per se. In the hands of intelligent people, guns really can't hurt you. However, we in America have to admit that we to have a lunatic fringe - in both the urban and rural areas - who should never come within sniffing distance of guns or gunpowder - it renders them crazy - and woe betide the person who gets in their way.
That said, Operation Fast and furious was anything but. There was nothing fast about the botched sting operation, that was obstensibly set up to track a cache of guns from a seller in Arizona to a buyer somewhere in Mexico. It really was kind of a slow, watch the paint dry kind of affair, during which our guys (much like they do on TV) pretended to go along with the gun runners so they could get to the real perpetrators with the deep pockets, who were looking to purchase the guns across the border.
According to the debate before the contempt "vote", Republicans claimed they were seeking answers for the Michigan family of Brian Terry, a Border Patrol agent killed in December 2010 in a shootout with Mexican bandits (??? they still have bandits in Mexico? Wow!). Two guns from "Fast and Furious" were found at the scene. Like I said, how convenient that those banditos, who were so interested in getting guns, just happened to have left two of them at the scene of the crime. Democrats wanted the Terry family to have all the facts, and argued that it merited a more thorough, bipartisan investigation to accomplish that. (of course, when a grieving widow is being manipulated by nefarious elements, and there is possibly some major money involved, she is going to side on those who appear to be doing her the most good - capice?)
Apparently, something went horribly wrong during the "Fast and Furious" sting. Maybe one of our guys "jumped the gun" and blew the cover of the other agents. Whatever happened, one of the border patrol officers, Terry, was killed in the process. And "ironically" two of the guns from the sting operation were found at the site. Hmmmmm "how convenient!" That was in 2010 (I think). Now the officer's widow, who obviously and understandably is totally destroyed at the death of her husband, is looking for answers and possibly who to "blame" is being manipulated by the NRA and the Rep-ugh-blicans, into accusing Attorney General Eric Holder of wrong doing( I know I just said it, but I really want the rest of you to get the bigger picture - what we have here is a SET UP folks!! Pure and simple.
The alleged five (5) email memos alluded to in the testimonies,that were supposedly sent to Holder's attention, most of which came prior to the officer's demise, were appropriately filtered by Holder's staff according to their priority. Unfortunately, given that he is the Attorney General of the United States, the "fast and furious" sting at that time was not a priority, given other more pressing issues.
Additionally, at the risk of sounding a wee bit callous, officer Terry died in the line of duty, which I am sure he was well aware was a possibility, given the nature of his job - that of border patrol, where you have to have a gun to patrol the border; and where you are expected to fire it, because you as a guard may be fired upon by someone desperately trying enter our country illegally. I.e., he knew the job was dangerous when he took it (a la` Super Chicken). My condolences to his widow and family. The loss of a loved one is horrible and painful, no matter what the circumstances. The big concern here, however, is whether she realizes that she is being emotionally manipulated by the repughblicans in a massive ploy to overthrow the President. If she doesn't know this, would somebody please go over to her house, knock on her door, and tell her and her family what's really going on? She lives in Michigan, I think. I'm sure there is some FOIA info. She should definitely be aware of wolves in sheeps clothing pretending to be working in behalf of her family, when there are bigger, more ulterior motives afoot.
Just out of curiosity, I would really like to know who really generated the guns in Arizona? (which recently had their heads handed to them on a plate by the Supreme Court via the striking down of their immigration laws. It seems to me that if the guns were generated in Arizona, and were being sent south to be sold in Mexico, we have more to worry about than just a few Mexicans sneaking across the border. It appears that Arizona needs to be scrutinized for gun running activities within the borders of the US. And, by the way, that's just what the NRA is afraid of. If it can be proved that there are illegal gun smugglers in the US, the Attorney General can ask for, and get, a tightening up of the gun laws, including licensing and regulations, throughout the country. And the NRA absolutely does NOT want that to happen. With one of the most powerful lobbies in the world, it's no wonder they are pandering to the Terry family, the red-neck Democrats, the Rep-ughblicans, and every one else they can get to. No wonder they want Holder out of the way.
Moving foward, the rep-ugh-blicans and their cohorts, the NRA, pounce on this so called "fast and furious" issue, because they really have nothing else no other way of stopping the President, or of slowing Eric Holder down; and because they need to detract us -WE THE PEOPLE - from their other racist shenaninagans - like voter nullification, the re-establishment of poll taxes in Florida and other southern states; the corporations under Koch brothers trying to buy the election. You know the stuff they and the meanstream press do everyday, day in and day out; 24/7 - 365 - all racism all the time, ad infinitum.
So we now have Congressman Issa out of California, heading up a hearing committee where the fine art of evidence suppression is being practiced in a not-so-veiled attempt to slow Holder down, if not stop him completely. Even Boehner ("bone head") put in his two cents worth. He almost choked on the words, because he knew they were bogus.
And when Eric Holder, fine Black man and exemplary Attorney General that he is, was neither intimidated, nor off put by their allegations, these bozos come up with a threat of holding him in "contempt."
Now I guess they didn't check their popularity ratings in America, or they might have held off on that very stupid ploy, because by and large, most Americans have been holding this Rep-ugh-blican-lead congress in "contempt" for quite some time. It's apparent that they have nothing but contempt for Americans due to the fact that they have not implemented the "jobs now" initiative President Obama requested during his State of the Union Address; the fact that they are trying to double the interest rate on Student Loans; the fact that they actually had the audacity to try to have the Health Care Plan rendered unconstitutional - as though Americans did not deserve to have decent, affordable and comprehensive health care - the same that the Congress receives and provides for their families; the fact that they can pocket all the money they want from public/private interest groups under the guise of campaign funds, while at the same time making it illegal for locally based non-profit organizations to do the same. This is the same contemptible Congress who are trying to hold Eric Holder in contempt!!
Get real. We, the voters, see through that cellophane effort very clearly - as did the Congressional Black Caucus, who walked out of the hearings in protest of the bogus measure; and made it very plain that their political posturings did not fool them at all.
Now, however, it's time for Black Americans - Americans in general, and other individuals who are concerned about the future of this country, to act and act decisively. Not all of us recognize racism when it's couched in legaleze, and hidden behind law books. In fact, as a result we are getting increased requests for voter registration forms - I guess people realize that it will take their active participation in November to STOP THE MADNESS.
But, since not all of us get it, especially when the people who are being escoriated are "higher ups". We sometimes don't recognize what that means for the rest of us - i.e. regardless of the job title and the locale, at the end of the day, ERIC HOLDER IS A BLACK MAN, facing a white redneck "lynch" mob, that goes under the guise of the Rep-ugh-blican branch of the U.S. Congress. So in the interest of making sure we don't miss the lesson, let me spell it out for you. Hopefully, once you understand, I won't have to be riding on a bus somewhere in Brooklyn and hear some misinformed miscreant say something stupid about Attorney General Eric Holder.
President Barack Obama is the first Black President of the United States of America. He is doing a fantastic job, despite the obstacles thrown in his way and the very real attempts to undermine him. There are people who are so racist - elected officials included - that they would rather see this country go down in the dust than to see this Black man succeed. And they will literally stop at nothing to destroy the good he does.
Eric Holder is the first Black Attorney general of the United States of America. He is doing a fantastic job, despite the obstacles thrown in his way, and the very real attempts to undermine him. There are people so racist - elected officials included - that they would rather see this country go down in the dust than to see this Black man succeed. And they will literally stop at nothing to destroy the good he does.
These two men are at the top of the "food chain" and the Rep-ughblicans want them gone. They want to go back to bad business as usual, where the top 1% of the white racists rule over the 99% - who are Black, white, Latino, Asian - i.e. the rainbow that really make up this country. They got caught with their hands in the til. They are behind the economic down turn that Obama has been turning around, despite their efforts to block him. They are very much afraid of the investigations that Holder has launched to get to who really is to blame for the millions of homes that underwent massive foreclosure; who is to blame for the drugs being flooded into the communities; who is to blame for business practices that are now coming to light that have literally left us bankrupt, while their banking cronies and other perpetrators go free.
The so called "fast and furious" hearings are a tip of the iceberg for the most egregious racist congress of modern times.
Make no mistake about it, though - it's up to us to stop this crap in its tracks. We in New York have already heard the call, and this past June 26 we made absolutely sure we did not lose one seat to the Republicans, but we now have to do the same across this nation.
That said, I am not being naive when I also state that during the so call contempt hearing there were 17 Democrats who crossed the line and voted with the repughblicans, including one from Oklahoma. They were Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Ben Chandler (Ky.), Mark Critz (Pa.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), *Kathy Hochul (N.Y.), Ron Kind (Wis.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), *Bill Owens (N.Y.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Nick Rahall (W.Va.), Mike Ross (Ark.) and Tim Walz (Minn.) NOTE: Rarely has any pro-gun-rights Democrat representing a rural and Southern district broken with the NRA’s position on key votes, especially in an election year. However, there are two New York Dems who voted for censureship - you might want to be wary of them for future reference.
On the other hand at least two Repughblicans voted against contempt measures, they were: Steve LaTourette (Ohio) and Scott Rigell (Va.). Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) was the only "present" vote from either party.
Note, however that there were 108 Democrats who didn't cast votes in this debacle, primarily a combination of members from the Congressional Black Caucus and those who sided with them. They actually walked out of the proceedings, protesting the fact that the House GOP was even holding the vote, which was racist and pretentious in nature.
According to the Associated Press, "The contempt vote was met with outrage from Democrats. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), joined by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and many other Democrats, staged a walkout during the vote as Democrats charged the GOP with staging a witch hunt against Holder that demeans the lower chamber."
Pelosi said during the debate that she would join the walkout, and told Democrats it's up to them whether to stay and vote against the resolution, or leave: "So now I say to those who have a doubt about how they want to proceed, that instead of doing what I said before -- which was just to come and to treat this as a bill before the Congress and express my 'no' -- listening to the unconscionable presentation, I want to join my CBC colleagues in boycotting the vote when we have the walkout after we have the debate," she said. Democrats charged Republicans with using the hearings as a veiled political ploy against the Obama administration to help them in the upcoming November elections.
"When the history of this despicable proceeding is recorded, it will be said that your actions were politically motivated to discredit and defeat a president who has worked so hard over the past three years," Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) declared on the House floor during debate on the rule.
Guess what, folks, we don't have to wait for history, we can see it now. It's not only obvious, it's interesting that they are so oblivious to the potential Black lash, that they really think they can make this madness stick.
Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi stated Republicans were targeting Holder because he is fighting their efforts to suppress voter turnout in November. Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut, chastised Republicans for pushing ahead on the contempt vote as part of a strategy to prevent economic progress and harm Obama’s re-election chances in November. He stated, and rightly so: “This is just all part of a continuing plan, and whether it’s suppressing the vote or suppressing the economy — this obstructionist regime that we see that continues to block because they think they would rather see President Obama fail than the nation succeed.”
To illustrate how far the rep-ugh-blicans would go to discredit and undermine both the President and the Attorney General, according to the Associated Press, a video was released Tuesday by Democrats on Issa’s panel showing the chairman making past allegations of White House links to Fast and Furious, juxtaposed with Issa saying as recently as Sunday, June 24, that there was no evidence of a White House cover-up whatsoever. What happened? Was there an about-face? No. Issa, though towing the party line, even had to admit the speciousness of the so-called hearings. Must be difficult to live in a duplicitous system where your membership relies on lies and deceit.
Circling back to my original statement, the Rep-ugh-blicans are trying to lynch Attorney General Holder. Our job is to make sure that each and every person, if they voted for his contempt of Congress, and if they are running for anything this fall or in the coming years, that they are not only not re-elected, but are defeated and replaced by someone who supports us, who are the 99%, President Obama, and Eric Holder as he moves to bring justice and fairness to the country's judicial system. The congressional record has the names of all those who voted against Holder. It's easy to access via: www.congressonrecord.com - it not only tells you who said what about the Contempt motion, but who voted, how they voted, and where they're from. So if you have relatives in any of those states where they voted to hold Holder in "contempt", you can make it your business to reach out to them and let them know who in their state voted "yes" or "no".
While under ordinary circumstances, most of us would shrug our collective shoulders, suck our teeth and say it's just how racists are; we cannot afford to do that in this case. THIS IS AN ALL OUT WAR PERPETRATED AGAINST US. We are the targets via President Obama and Attorney General Holder. They are taking the hits for us. We have to fight back. There can be no one on neutral ground - no matter where you live. Battleground or Blue State. We have to realize that all of this is to make sure that Mitt (the s--t head) Romney is selected President, and the rest of us go to poverty, marginalism, and defeat.
I think I've given you enough fuel for action. However, I am also enclosing a copy of Attorney General Holder's response to the Congress's Hearing, below:
Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 28, 2012 Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the U.S. House of Representatives Vote Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today:
“Today’s vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided – and politically motivated – investigation during an election year. By advancing it over the past year and a half, Congressman Issa and others have focused on politics over public safety. Instead of trying to correct the problems that led to a series of flawed law enforcement operations, and instead of helping us find ways to better protect the brave law enforcement officers, like Agent Brian Terry, who keep us safe – they have led us to this unnecessary and unwarranted outcome.
“During this time, the men and women of the Department of Justice – and I – have remained focused on wha
t should and must be our government’s top priority: protecting the American people.
“When concerns about Operation Fast and Furious first came to light, I took action – and ordered an independent investigation into what happened. We learned that the flawed tactics used in this operation began in the previous administration – but I made sure that they ended under this one. I also made sure that agents and prosecutors around the country knew that such tactics must never be used again. I put in place new policies, new safeguards, and new leadership to make certain of this – and took extraordinary steps to facilitate robust congressional oversight. Let me be very clear – that was my response to Operation Fast and Furious. Any suggestion to the contrary simply ignores the facts.
“I had hoped that Congressional leaders would be good-faith partners in this work. Some have. Others, however, have devoted their time and attention to making reckless charges – unsupported by fact – and to advancing truly absurd conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, these same members of Congress were nowhere to be found when the Justice Department and others invited them to help look for real solutions to the terrible problem of violence on both sides of our Southwest Border. That’s tragic, and it’s irresponsible. The problem of drugs and weapons trafficking across this border is a real and significant public safety threat – and it deserves the attention of every leader in Washington.
“In the face of these and other challenges, the Justice Department has continued to move forward in fulfilling its critical law enforcement responsibilities. Whether it is with regard to prosecuting financial and health care fraud, achieving a record mortgage settlement, taking aggressive action in protecting the most vulnerable among us, or challenging proposed voting changes and redistricting maps that could disenfranchise millions of voters – this Department of Justice has not been afraid to act.
“Some of these enforcement decisions were not politically popular and help to explain the action taken today by the House. As Attorney General, I do not look to do that which is politically expedient – on behalf of the American people whom I am privileged to serve, I seek justice.
“In recent weeks, the Justice Department secured its seventh conviction in the most serious terrorist plot our nation has faced since 9/11. And just two days ago, the Department awarded more than $100 million in grants to save or create law enforcement jobs, including more than 600 jobs for recent veterans.
“This is the kind of work that leaders in Washington should be striving together to advance. At a time when so many Americans are in need of our help, I refuse to be deterred from it. And I will not let election-year politics and gamesmanship stand in the way of continued progress.
“Today’s vote may make for good political theater in the minds of some, but it is – at base – both a crass effort and a grave disservice to the American people. They expect – and deserve – far better.
“As a result of the action taken today by the House, an unnecessary court conflict will ensue. My efforts to resolve this matter short of such a battle were rebuffed by Congressman Issa and his supporters. It’s clear that they were not interested in bringing an end to this dispute or obtaining the information they claimed to seek. Ultimately, their goal was the vote that – with the help of special interests – they now have engineered.
“Whatever the path that this matter will now follow, it will not distract me or the men and women of the Department of Justice from the important tasks that are our responsibility. A great deal of work for the American people remains to be done – I’m getting back to it. I suggest that those who orchestrated today’s vote do the same." Attorney General Eric Holder (gdw)
Of course, make no mistake about it, we New Yorkers could not be prouder or more supportive of Brother Eric Holder, and realize that these are the kinds of challenges that make us stronger in the long run. We stand solidly with Eric Holder and President Obama, and will continue to take care of the business of making sure they have four more years.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Welcome to Part II. I hope that you are continuing to read this 3-part report because I've given you some compelling info in reference to NNPA and the Black press and you want to know more.
One of the great things about being at a conference with your peers is that almost as much of relevance happens in between and after the meetings, as does during the workshops. And I felt as though I was walking in “high cotton” -- to borrow a term from my brothers and sisters from the South -- talking to such personages as Xernona Clayton of Atlanta, GA, who is a timeless legendary combination of beauty and purpose. Or breaking bread Pat Stevens of the Harlem Times.
Anyone who lived during the Civil Rights Era, or who has made it past the age of 40, knows perfectly well that had it not been for Black newspapers carrying the stories the white press tried to bury, we would still be sitting in the back of buses, crossing sidewalks to the other side every time a white person approached. We would still be seeing the ignominious signs that stated: “we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”, or “for colored only” signs posted on water fountains, bathrooms; or being sent around to the back of a restaurant to take food out in a bag, rather being seated at a counter. The sit-ins at Woolworths i Greensboro, NC and other venues would have been glossed over as minor incidents by a “handful of dissidents” (the favorite dismissive phrase of white papers). Were it not for Black newspapers, Emmett Till’s heinous murder in Mississippi would have been handily swept under the rug.
Black newspapers exposed lynchings, which were marked with pride in the white press, revealing them for the vicious hate crimes they really are. White cops shooting victims in the back, which is recognized as an act of cowardice world wide, gets short shrift in the white press; while Black newspapers expose it for the continued racist, genocidal practice that has continued from the days of slavery.
While there are still problems, the light shed on the perpetrators makes it that much more difficult to be swept under the rug, and exposes the duality and duplicity for what they are.
By the same token, our heroes, who are often depicted as villains in the white media, have a voice to communicate with the people they are pledged to serve and save. Without Black newspapers, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Stokeley Carmichael, H. Rap Brown, Angela Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton , Rev. Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, Don King, Michael Jackson, The Hon. Louis Farrakhan, Assata Shakur, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Mumia Abu Jamal, Johnnie Cochran, Kermit Eady and the Black United Fund (BUFNY), The African Burial Ground, Maya Angelou (need I go on?) would have had no voice -- or it would have been reduced to a quote on the back page of the last one inch column on the inside page.
Think about it. During the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, two Black men, who were medalists - Tommie Smith and John Carlos -- raised their gloved fists in protest to the racism in America. It was a brave act. The white press tried to label it as radicalism. The Black press applauded them for the heroes that they were. No one can tell our story but us, because no one understands what we go through, what we face on a daily basis, but us.
So important is the Black press to Black people, that boxing impresario Don King, upon learning of the impending closure of his hometown newspaper, the Cleveland (Ohio) Call & Post, bought the paper, and sent Michael House (now publisher of the Chicago Defender) from New York City to run it and get it back on track. It's still alive and well today.
No one understands the importance of Black newspapers more than the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been parodied and harassed by mainstream media for decades.
I’m paraphrasing his address to the NNPA which gave food for thought across the board: “The white press won’t recognize the Black Press because they don’t want to recognize Black people.” Now to many this is not new news. However, to some, who somehow may have thought we had now arrived, this statement may come as a bit of a shock.
He stated that the two major factors that have influenced Black people over the past 100 years were Black Newspaper publications and the Black church; stating they are the only institutions that speak on our behalf.
Sharpton asserted, “ The white media marginalizes us. If we don’t define ourselves they define us as decadent. We must define ourselves.”
Focusing on our current state of affairs, Sharpton examined how we went from a status where every generation prior to this understood the need to look out for and support our own; to this current generation where it is more bent on “tearing down our women to whores and bitches.”
It’s a question that’s been asked or pondered over by scholars and regular African Americans. How did we go from being descendents of great kings and queens from Africa, to descending into the madness of self hatred, denigration and killing each other (not only here in the US, but in Africa as well?) What would bring us to such a level? And if you say the white press, then I have to ask, how did we become so gullible. Did we suddenly all develop mass amnesia?
One of the factors he cited is the fact that many {‘negro artists’} are paid to do so. White-fronted award shows that applaud artists for tearing down and degrading Black women, Black motherhood, and the Black family. Think about it, Halle Berry, a fabulous actress in her own right, was not nominated for an Academy Award until she did “Monsters Ball.”
On the other hand, Sharpton pointed out that Trumpet Awards uplift and celebrate, and get very little footage in the white press. If you don’t read about it in your own newspapers, you’d think we weren’t doing anything at all.
With Black Hip Hop “artists“ calling each other “n-gg-rs may call it a term of endearment, or telling it like it is, but really, is it the same when white corporate Americans supports it? (by the way in answer to the stupid question posted on the internet, it is not okay for Mel Gibson, or anyone else to use the “n” word in reference to Black people - don’t even try it!)
And it appears that Irish and Jewish publications can write negative information about us, but we cannot do the same in regards to them. The more truth we tell about their actions, the more likely there will be consequences. While at the same time their negativity is somehow either justified or ignored. But we can talk about ourselves in hostile manners and nobody cares. Or, worse yet, they are paid handsomely for doing so.
Sharpton maintains that if we truly have free speech we should be able to talk about everybody, not just N-gg-rs.
That’s the power of definition: “With his pants down and his pride down further he gets paid to talk about his mama You can’t use the “n” word because it’s important where you put yourself. N-gg-rs have no civil rights. It’s scary to let others define us when they don’t want us in a position of power.”
He went on to state that we have a Black president, Barak Hussein Obama, a Black Attorney General, Eric Holder, and forty Blacks in Congress. “But our kids are still four (4!!) reading levels behind whites.”
He’s not attributing that disparity to Obama, but to the fact that somehow African Americans think they can rest on their laurels and just float, and let the President do their job for them. It doesn’t work that way. These next eight years are a window of opportunity that mainstream whites have been working feverishly to close.
It seems, though Malcolm X coined the phrase “by any means necessary”, whites are following that maxim more by trying to keep us down, than we are in trying to empower ourselves (yes, I said it, and I meant it!). Our guys look good in their tailor made European business suits, but their minds and loyalties are now running on empty, as they try to whiten up in their quest to prove themselves “equal” to white businessmen (the same white businessmen, I might add, who just wrecked the entire economy of the US, Europe, and parts of Asia).
In reference to President Obama, Rev. Al warned that if we don’t take care of business, consolidating our efforts and coming up with a new Black paradigm (my words) in the next eight year window of opportunity, it’s not going to happen. Other groups will then step in and take everything and run with it, and will be justified in saying “You had your chance and you didn’t use it.”
If you look at history 50 to 60 years from now, the question will be what was the Black Media and Blak activism doing then? Interestingly enough, the 40 years since the Civil Rights Movement have been likened to the period after Moses received the 10 Commandments, and the people, because of their breach of faith with God’s Covenant, ended up wandering around in the desert.
There are some among us who would rather detract from Obama’s accomplishments -- calling themselves “being objective” -- and, rather than cooperating with and supporting his efforts, spend a considerable amount of time taking snipes at him. We cannot afford to become the next Joshua generation: “We have forgotten what brought us out of Montgomery and Birmingham.” We cannot afford 40 more years of wandering around mentally, spiritually, and physically lost in a desert of self-denigration, self-hatred, self-sabotage, and delusion. Our collective muscle, skills, talents and abilities have to be fixed focus on maximizing this time that we have now. We either seize this time, or are back in the prison of mental (and maybe even chattel) slavery.
(By the way, don’t let that gulf oil spill fool you. Any fool knows those contracts and documents were Bush-generated. And that rules were lax so that they could benefit from more money. Just like the financial crises, they were ticking time bombs that would inevitably explode. The good thing is that it gives Obama the impetus to enact the measures he enunciated in Denver - to end the dependency on fossil fuels, and begin the development of cleaner, more environmental friendly, greener fuels. This is a catalyst, not his denoument - as the white mainstream press would have you believe).
Addressing issues that assail the Black press when it comes to advertising dollars and revenue, Sharpton advised them to stop going to those advertisers like they’re doing us a favor. “What good is it to have Blacks in high places if we don’t benefit from it? If it hadn’t been for a lot of movement on the ground we wouldn’t be here!”
He pointed out that the need for Civil Rights didn’t stop in the 60’s in the South. It has continued through the urban racism in the boardrooms that try to identify us (read pigeonhole).
He spoke of the difference between being influential as opposed to being controversial, asking how is it that you are influential when you fought in the past but present protest activities makes you “controversial.”
“Black press has the power of definition. If we allow white press to define use we’re done, take the chains off our legs and put it on our minds.” If when you are a white businessman or woman you are “savvy”, but when you’re a Black businessman or woman, you’re “slick”, you might want to pay more attention to how you’re being defined. The power of definition has to rest with those being defined. “We must resist the temptation to emulate that have our demise in mind. Once we accept the premise, we are the conclusion.”
Our ancestors, who survived the Middle Passage, and the horrors of slavery were a strong and mighty people., while our contemporaries, and many of the youth of today appear to be stymied (I call it stuck on stupid) “They took nothing and turned the world upside down; we’ve got everything and can’t do nothing.” What with computers, cell phones, fast cars, we’re dumber than they’ve ever been, most of whom were forbidden to read or write, or attend ivy league schools.
What are we so afraid of? If so sit down and shut up and let someone else stand up! Most Blacks were never in the movement. It’s always been the few that paid the cost for the many. We have to be the few. We must recapture the power of definition. Our Black newspapers have to always define who we are. We can’t be a Negro version of what the white folks are talking about. We can’t just have Black faces in high places..” who would do no more for us than their counterparts.
The power of self definition is as important today, in our generation, and the NNPA is at the center of the cultural, spiritual and economic identity of Black America.
Rev. Sharpton, who founded the National Action Network has always been known and loved for bringing it all down front, and telling it like it needs to be told (not just like it is). His vision and mission, not to mention his willingness to put his life on the line and be a voice for the voiceless, has garnered him a great deal of love and respect in the Black community and many other circles world wide.
We need many more Al Sharptons in every community where there are African Americans and people of African heritage, to begin to forge the new message that this time around we will not be moved, removed, or redefined for the convenience and comfort of a structure that essentially proliferated and thrived and survived on the backs of ours and our ancestors labor. That we are bringing together those same strengths in our own behalves, and the next eight to forty years is all about us, from the most positive, powerful, and highest standpoint. And that's not a threat, it's a promise.
Part III Congressman Charlie Rangel and Music Impresario Berry Gordy receive prestigious NNPA Award.
PS: Homework: Get a subscription to at least one local Black publication in your area, and one in another area. Contact someone in your hometown and send them a list of the Black Publications in Part I. Encourage them to subscribe to at least two in areas outside their community, or state. We need to reach outside our own circle and become in tune with what's happening with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the US.
