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| Measure The Movement |
| Created Saturday, April 17, 2010 Published Sunday, April 18, 2010 Filed under Commentary |
| This entry was originally created Saturday, April 17, 2010, but posted Sunday, April 18, 2010 (3:57PM) and is filed under Keeba’s Commentary. Post comments below, or click here to send an email. |
| Keeba Smith is a published writer and desired screenplay artist. She is the author of “Shades of Bright Pale,” and many other unacquainted writings. Please visit www.Keeba.org to find out more about Keeba Smith, read additional critiques and her unpublished autobiography, “Spirit in the Dark.” © 2010 |
| Tags: Keeba, Poems, Commentary, Biography, Smiley vs. Sharpton, Barack Obama, Working, Black History, Health Care Passes, Keeba' Healthcare, |
| I watched the 2-hour special of Al Sharpton’s Measuring The Movement” conference on TV One - held at the First Corinthian Baptist Church in New York City. Although it was two hours long, I have to agree with radio host, Tom Joyner, it was not long enough. Those on the panel made some interesting comments and seemed alert and eager. And although I was intrigued the entire time, I could not help but wonder if Tavis Smiley was watching. Additionally, I wondered and/or considered the conference comparable to Smiley’s State of The Black Union conferences. Before I get into what was discussed, I need to state that the conference on the Black agenda was arranged by Al Sharpton’s Nation Action Network and hosted by Roland Martin from Washington Watch and DJ Tom Joyner. There were several panelists who participated, but the ones I recall the most were as follows: Warren Ballentine Dr. Lezi Baskervile Danny Blackwell, Jr. Representative James Clyburn Rapper/Activist Chuck D Albert J. Dotson esq. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Dr. Lenora Fula Hermene D. Hartman Ben Jealous Albert Johnson Jeff Johnson Tamika Mallory Marc Morial AL Sharpton Representative Calvin Smyre Dr. Deborah A. Torrey Faya Rose Toure Dr. Boyce Watkins (I will - if necessary – apologize for any misspelled names or any participants I may have missed, but I was really into the dialogue.) As I could gather, the talking points were Black involvement in the following areas:
As a whole, the conference was about encouraging, supporting, enriching and commitment in helping the Black community. Moreover, the interchange was about how each panelist would engage or re-engage the Black community and encouraging Black people to get and remain involved. |
| Below, are some of the essential discussions along with a few of my comments. Some Black people were scared to attend the town hall meetings to discuss Health Care Reform. Why wouldn’t we be scared? While I watched from the comfort of my own home, I watched how white men brazenly wearing weapons. And I thought, if that were any one of us, we would be carried off to jail with a quickness. I then watched whites yell and cause several ruckuses while the police stood and did nothing. Yes, some were hauled off in police cars, but there weren’t many. And again, I said that they would have put us into police cars just for being in attendance. I agree, as some of the most intelligent people I know, did not have all the facts about the Health Care Reform Bill. They gave different conflicting opinions each time it was discussed. Additionally, I believe that all the commotion it received, it scared people into believing that perhaps it was not good for the people and ultimately, the economy. On a side note, I personally blame our elected officials. Yes, the republicans did their part by adding their distorted facts and scare tactics, but even our favorite news reporters [comments] were a tad precarious. It was just too much information and/or it was not enough information. Somewhere, the truth was lost and it was not easily explained by either Party. I mean honestly, when both Party’s kept repeating that there were thousands of pages to the Bill, it became a tad overwhelming when the information received was conflicting. People may have felt that because President Obama addressed the bleeding issues of the big companies first, Blacks that have been suffering the carnage for decades felt hoodwinked. Blacks did not feel a need to show up at the polls because Obama addressed Wall Street and not “Back/Black Street.” Black have now become political spectators. At first, I had a hard time with this when it was addressed in November, but after careful consideration, I have to remember that not everyone has or had my parents. They were avid voters and always encouraged their children to do the same. (I proudly state that I have not missed a voting ballot in 25 years.) Anyway, if a person is hurting and suffering, they get tired. They get tired of the pain. They get tired of hearing someone – especially a lip- serving politician – provide more empty promises. The politicians come into the poor minority areas and make a thousand promises. And while Obama was a community organizer, well, it was more than just that. These people listened to a new politician. Not just any old politician, but someone who they felt could relate to them because they shared the same skin tone. They listened to someone who came from where they were from and currently reside. Although he’s a Harvard graduate, his terminology’s and expressions were similar to theirs. They believed he related to them and that he was the person they were hoping to lead this Country, so they voted for him. However, when he did not deliver, they rescinded – just as they felt he did – and did not support what they saw as another lip-serving politician. Will they come back? Well, that’s something I’m not so sure of. I believe that some remain hopeful and loyally- supportive, but others see it as another broken promise and only time will tell. The Home Foreclosure Program was a failure. Although I had heard of the program but did not qualify, I was glad there was some type of assistance for the people. Alternatively, I had heard a news pundit say that although there were over 176,000 participants in the program, there were more than 180,000 people still facing foreclosure. (I personally did not know for sure it was a flop.) The Recovery Stimulus money was given to the governors and not the mayors and individual communities. (The money should have been given to mayors, council members, alderman and community leaders…were it could be used the most and more effectively.) I agree, as I felt that my governor – Bill Ritter – spent the money frivolously and I felt he could have done more to help provide for our schools. Who’s in charge of the money from the stimulus package? Who do we hold accountable? Black communities only received 1% of the stimulus money. Eric Dyson said, “We need to get stimulated. Stimulate us, not them.” I applaud Mr. Dyson as he always seems to have encouraging words, but I wonder what will it take to stimulate our communities as a whole. Of course, I am aware that there will be some Blacks [in the communities] that will refuse to comply and join in and ultimately, choose to be left behind, but how do we stimulate and encourage the majority? With all the broken promises from our politicians as well as our community activist, how do we tell them that it’s safe to go back in the water? Due to the prolonged suffering, I believe that some Blacks will have a harder time with this. It is my hope and prayer that our panelists remain strong. Tasha from Little Rock sent a message via the net and stated that there is a high rate of foreclosures and school closures in the area. It seems as though there is an increase of wealthy whites moving into the Black communities and pushing the poor minorities out. Is this a plot to keep these communities out of reach from minorities? How do we keep this from happening? I was not surprised to hear this, as it seems to be very common. (It has happened in my previous neighborhood.) However, I do not believe there’s anything that can be done. In my old neighborhood, the whites are forcing Black old and owned prominent businesses to close and the government is allowing laws to be broken. It’s shameful. Shameful that whites are allowed to do this and even more shameful that some Blacks are not supporting these helpless Black businesses. I have asked a few of my remaining family members in the area as well as previous neighbors what they plan to do about it, but they have all said they are not going to do anything. It sickens me! Unless we unite and fight, then the laws will be allowed to be broken...continuously. Stop feeling inferior to whites…standup and fight. The NAACP stated that because so many banks are practicing unfair business practices, they have filed a lawsuit against 15 banks. Ben Jealous said the list of banks could be found on their website at NAACP.org. (Perhaps I might have missed a few, but I located the following: 1. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. 2. Ameriquest Mortgage Co. 3. Bear Sterns Residential Mortgage Corp. d/b/a Encore Credit 4. Chase Bank USA 5. Citimortgage 6. First Franklin Financial Corp. 7. First Tennessee Bank d/b/a First Horizon National Corp. 8. Fremont Investment & Loan 9. GMAC Mortgage Group, LLC 10. GMAC ResCap 11. Long Beach Mortgage 12. SunTrust Mortgage Deposit monies into Black banks (Farmer Banks). Blacks pay City, State and Federal taxes. We should be demanding our government to put money in our Black Banks. Educate consumers. Blacks need to know that the money is there. Obama was a community organizer. We need to get tough and do something. Don’t just talk about the problems in our communities, but actually do something. One panelist stated that Obama loves criticism. I honestly believe he’s trying and truly believe he will succeed if the obstructionists would get out of his way. Politicians are taking money away from the Black community but not putting anything back in. There is a large percentage of single Black women who’s net worth is only $5.00. Vote for us and don’t just vote for the president, but in every election. We are accountable for ourselves and we should be voting with our bank accounts in mind. Hold your local officials accountable. I agree, but it seems as though there are not enough Black individuals who are willing to call or send their local government an email or letter. I will never understand as to why they won’t. (Make a stand, and speak and shout out…bring enough attention to attract your local media.) Alternatively, some people have the slightest idea who their councilman, mayor, governor, senator or State Representative is and/or how to contact them. Again, it goes back to educating our selves as well as each other. Buy Black. Months ago, or perhaps a year ago, I read where a couple and their family were on the quest to “buy Black” for 365 days. At this moment, I cannot recall everything they reported, however if I believe their observations were positive. Me, on the other hand, I cannot afford to “buy Black, however I do make note and frequent plenty of Black owned businesses. And although their prices might be a tad or even 20% more, I will patronize them on a regular basis due to their exceptional customer service, and dedication to their customers. I have and always will appreciate that. Like most consumers - Black or white, i have to shop where my dollar will stretch the farthest. Create jobs for former convicts. Programs that provide jobs for people when they get out of jail. When unemployment is up, the marriage rate goes down. The Urban League is working on this problem. Someone sent a message via the web and stated that they have created a lawn service that employs 22 boys ranging in ages from 11 to 14. Roland Martin Representative Clyburn said that the government is creating incentives for a second chance program. He said that the incentive is tax credit. One panelist said that it should be against the law not to hire a felon. Another said that nonviolent former inmates should not have these felonies on their record for the rest of their lives. …“It should be removed after 2 years.” The Urban Youth Empowerment Program helps felons. Charter Schools At some point in the show, one panelist mentioned encouraging Charter schools. Oh how the audience became angry! They were deeply discouraged and I am one of them! I do not like the idea of any Charter school in any prominently Black community as I honestly believe that it takes government money away from those that are not Charter schools. Panelist Jeff Johnson for the urban development has an open project that helps with tutoring and mentoring those in gangs. His foundation is working on increasing the number of Black male teachers on the secondary level. Health care is creating jobs. There is $11 billion for additional community health centers and $2 billion for community colleges. If you are a doctor, you will need a plumber. Our Black children must stay in school. I have been very disgusted by the growing dropout rate so much so, that I have lost sleep. On multiple occasions, I have discussed the problem with many family members and friends and I have yet to find a viable reason. Someone told me that you couldn’t force a child to learn, while another said it has a lot to do with single parent homes. I’m leaning towards the latter, but I just know there is something more to this. It sickens me! Panelist Eric Dyson said that HBCU should stand for Helping Black Children Up. 100 Black Men of American trains responsible Black men. It has 116 Chapters around the Country. The Church should be involved – teaching just because you are married, what does it actually mean to be married. ...Raising our families ...Teaching and mentoring men how to be dads. Panelist Jeff Johnson said, “You call the young because they are strong. You call the old because they know the way.” We must re-energize Black men. Roland Martin quoted something he said on an Essence Blog. He said, “No minister should dedicate a child unless they have counseled the dad, because the dad needs ministering….because the minister needs to encourage families…a mentoring dad.” Panelist Al Sharpton said we must be a dad to those fathers that are not there…that are gone. Al Sharpton pointed out that he did not have a dad growing up but found other men who helped him along the way and mentored him. Stop allowing music to denigrate women. Panelist Tamika Mallory stated, “Young men need to stop wearing saggy pants. Women need to respect themselves in order to be respected. If we are able to lift the dreams of the young at risk Blacks, then their pants will follow. Black men need to tell each other they love each other and support each other. ...Reach out to teach one another. Training for Black men. Read Black newspapers. There is not always degrading news about Blacks, but many Black newspapers have and report on positive Black ideas. After just two short hours, Roland Martin closed with a comment regarding the book of Nehemiah. Roland recalls where God calls Nehemiah to rebuild the wall. Some people helped rebuild… “there was some haters but they got it done. So can we.” Roland went on to say that Obama cannot do it all. “If you want change, you must make the effort…join the fight.” Finally, at the very end of the program, Roland and Tom (Joyner) said that they would check on the group of panelists every 90 days to see note their progress – making sure they are being held accountable. I recall Roland making a point on Wanda Sykes show when he said that Obama has always asked for our help. Roland then asked the audience how many had received and taken advantage of Obama’s implemented educational incentive college programs. (There were some hands that went up.) He then asked how many people have called to thank their local representatives as well as promote the program to others. Not one single hand was raised. I enjoyed “Measuring the Movement” and was deeply enthralled. However, it made me wonder what I would be; a spectator or an activist. NOTABLES
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| Rev. Sharpton promotes National Action Network’s “Measuring the Movement: Black Leadership's 12-Month Action Plan” - April 17th at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem |
