So why is the media still on to this story?
]]> Wright hasn't said anything about race relations and America's history than what has been said by a lot of other black preachers (and a few white ones). Yet he is being punished by the media with a high-tech lynching.Last week, Wright had to cancel two speaking engagements, and when he showed up at St. Sabina to celebrate Maya Angelous' 80th birthday, the media used his appearance to re-ignite the controversy.
The furor over his remarks should have ended by now.
On the other hand, the media have given Sen. Hillary Clinton a pass for lying about dodging sniper fire in Bosnia.
People who are concerned about Wright can no longer remain silent. At 7:00 p.m. Monday night, friends and supporters of Wright will hold a rally and prayer vigil at Trinity United Church of Christ to show support for their church and their retired pastor.
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What I didn't expect was that the battle over this controversy would be waged by black leaders and politicians.
My problem is this: Why didn't these people speak up when this scenario was unfolding? Now it looks like these African-American icons are carrying water for the Clinton camp. Hillary Clinton, who appears to be losing steam in her bid for the White House, presumably would benefit if the delegates in Florida and Michigan were seated.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been lukewarm when it comes to Sen. Barack Obama's campaign and hasn't officially declared for either candidate, has jumped on the opposite side of this issue. See press release below:
REV. SHARPTON CALLS ON THE DNC TO NOT SEAT MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA
DELEGATES, CALLING IT A MASSIVE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION
Dear Governor Dean:
I write this letter as a former Democratic candidate for President of
the United States and a civil rights leader who has fought his entire
life for fairness and justice for all people regardless of the color
of their skin. I firmly believe that changing the rules now, and
seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at this point would not
only violate the Democratic party's rules of fairness, but also would
be a grave injustice.
As former Presidential candidates we both know that, whether we liked
them or not, we adhered to the rules set forth by the Democratic party
to select its nominee for president. For example, I would have much
preferred starting the nominating process with caucuses and primaries
in South Carolina and Washington D.C. than Iowa and New Hampshire.
Nonetheless, I knew the rules, abided by them, and ultimately accepted
the consequences. Changing the rules in the middle of a presidential
contest is patently unfair both to the candidates (including Senator
Edwards) and to Democratic voters everywhere.
Some have said that not seating delegations from Florida and Michigan
disenfranchises Democratic voters -- especially African American
voters -- from those two states. That claim, if true, should have been
made many months ago before the decision was made to strip these
states of their delegates, and, once the decision was made, it should
have been vigorously objected to and contested by those who felt it
disenfranchised voters. To raise that claim now smacks of politics in
its form most raw and undercuts the moral authority behind such an
argument.
As a civil rights leader who is neutral in this presidential primary
season and who highly respects both remaining Democratic candidates, I
think we have a responsibility to protect both candidates from charges
that the process was tainted so that our eventual nominee does not
start the general election campaign under a cloud. Clearly, the
justifiably proud and intense passions of each candidate's supporters
will be on full display in the months leading up to the convention.
However, the Democratic Party and independent voices within must
temper over enthusiasm by either side and the party must be resolute
in ensuring that there is one set of rules by which we select our
nominee.
In Progress,
Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network
Mr. Tavis Smiley
President and CEO
The Smiley Group
3870 Crenshaw Boulevard
Suite 391
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Dear Tavis,
Thank you for the invitation to participate in the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, Louisiana February 21-23. The exchange of ideas raised at this annual symposium are invaluable as our nation strives to address the critical issues facing not just African Americans, but Americans of every race, background and political party.
I especially commend you for hosting this dialogue in New Orleans. On the eve of the Louisiana primary, I visited this great city for the fifth time since declaring my candidacy to share policy proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast so that we never experience another Hurricane Katrina. On February 9, I was deeply humbled to win the Louisiana primary with 86 percent of the African American vote and a 14 point lead among all voters who said they were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Uniting our country and creating a national constituency for fundamental change is why I am running for President of the United States. We have come a long way in this race, but we still have a long road ahead. In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote.
That is why with regret, I am not able to attend the forum. I understand that you have declined the campaign’s request to have Michelle Obama speak on my behalf. I ask that you reconsider. Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of real change America is hungry for. No one knows my record or my passion for leading America in a new direction more than Michelle Obama.
Tavis, this is our movement and our time. I look forward to working closely with you throughout this election. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
]]>
Certainly someone as politically astute as Smiley knows how critical it is for Obama to be focused on winning Texas, Wisconsin and Ohio in upcoming contests. So what is Smiley's real motive for not working out a compromise by allowing Michelle Obama to take her husband's place?
Early in the campaign, Obama participated in Tavis Smiley's CNN Presidential Debates, appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists, as well as before the Trotter Group, the NAACP and the National Urban League.
I understand Smiley is trying to be the black Larry King, but his ego is out-of-whack. Obama doesn't have to kiss Smiley's butt in order to attract black voters. In fact, in the Louisiana primary, Obama won 86 percent of the African American vote.
Frankly, Smiley had better watch himself before he wrecks himself.
The 2008 State of the Black Union forum is an important national event for Black America, but some people have been so turned off by Smiley's pompous behavior, they are calling for a boycott of the event.
I'm supporting Obama because I believe he can make a difference," America told me. "I try to plant a seed everywhere I go, but I'm here because I choose to be. If things get too hard, I'm leaving. "
Cheryl Woodhouse is also a native of Chicago. A graduate of Hirsch High School, she joined the Army when she graduated in 1979. After retiring in 2005, she settled in Columbia. She's been involved with the Obama campaign for about a year.
"I still work for the government and you know for me to take off from work, being here has to be worth it," Woodhouse said.
When I arrived around noon, cars were parked alongside the road and long lines of people were waiting patiently for the doors to open. After the gray skies and surprisingly cool weather for the past couple of days, the South Carolina sun is in full blast.
Unfortunately, in his own crude way, Beavers has raised an issue that continues to bother some of us. Exactly what is it about the Cook County Board President Todd Stroger that gets under so many white skins?
]]> Beavers is only half right when he says that "If Todd was a white man, he wouldn't have half these problems." I say "half right" because he does have a point. Former Cook County Board presidents who were white garnered far more respect than either John Stroger Sr. or Todd Stroger. In fact, the elder Stroger also had to fight tooth and nail to get a budget passed.Obviously, painting Commissioner Tony Peraica as a Klansman, was as wrong as it was ignorant--not too mention a dumb political strategy.
Why would Peraica support Stroger?
Peraica lost a power grab that he thought was an easy win, and he hasn't gotten over it yet. I expect that he will continue to oppose anything and everything that Stroger tries to do. So much for not having permanent enemies in politics."
Still, this battle is not fueled by racism as much as it is fueled by the lust for political power. Todd Stroger beat white politicians at their own game. That's why Beavers can boldy play the race card. Because of our history of racial politics, blaming racism for the ongoing board battles is not a far enough stretch.
Peraica vehemently denies race has anything to do with his fight with Stroger.
"The reason Beavers resorted to playing the race card is he is frustrated. With 12 Democrats on a 17-member board, Beavers can't get nine of his fellow Democrats to vote for the proposed budget. He's using the race card in a cynical way when in fact he cannot get what he wants," Peraica told me.
And that may very well be the case, but when a long-time alderman (Bernard Stone (50th) argues that the City Council Wars that made national headlines were not motivated by race, then it's clear that a lot of white people are in denial.
Denying racism when it's in your face is just as bad as seeing racism when it is not there.
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Obviously, the Dog doesn't have the "utmost respect" for black people. What he has is the "utmost respect" for his revenue stream. On Wednesday, A&E suspended production of his show. This latest "outing" is a reminder that what you say in private can and will be held against you.
But instead of the pair shaming blacks into working harder to eliminate this unseemly bias, a lot of black people cursed the messengers and denied that color discrimination exists among blacks.
Yet --we all know some blacks are still coveting "lightness" and are still judging other blacks by the color of their skin. And there is still a lingering perception that lighter skinned people are favored over darker-skinned ones.
Only now, black women are more likely to challenge anyone--including black men--when they perpetuate the negative stereotypes about darker-skinned women.
Last week when a Detroit DJ had the audacity to promote an event where all-night free admission would be given to black women with fair or light skin, dark-skinned sisters apparently spoke up.
The Associated Press reported that the party promoter, Ulysses Barnes, thought "it was a brilliant promotion."
"I didn't anticipate any type of feedback. It was just a party thing," Barnes told the AP. Barnes The DJ got so much feedback, he had to cancel the party.
All black women--of every hue--ought to be offended by this black man's insensitivity.
]]>"Mychal Bell [the first teen to be convicted in the "Jena 6" case] will have a hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 4. His lawyers will attempt to enter motions to try and set aside the verdict. Bell, who faces 22 years in prison, is set to be sentenced September 20.
"As for the others, some of them haven't been arraigned. Theodore Shaw is also on the docket Tuesday. He's already been set for trial twice--once in May and June--and on July 31 to address his motion to transfer venue. I entered that motion in early July."
I asked Tucker what could concerned citizens do at this point.
"One thing that they can do--this effort is real top heavy effort to encourage and an empty effort to support. These people are still indigent. We need to raise money in a very bad way. "
We can write letters, sign petitions and pray. But if there's not enough money to launch an aggressive defense against these unjust charges, that effort will be wasted. I'm researching the various defense funds set up to help these teens and will report the outcome of that search in Sunday's column.
]]>“I have received hundreds of calls, letters and emails from citizens concerned about the situation involving the case of the high school students in Jena, La. As Governor, as a citizen of the State of Louisiana, and as a mother, without rushing to judgment, I condemn racism in any form, and I fully expect that those involved in this case, including all parties, will act with fairness and in complete good faith.
“I must clear up a widespread misunderstanding of my authority in this case. Our State Constitution provides for three Branches of State Government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial - and the Constitution prohibits anyone in one branch from exercising the powers of anyone in another branch. This issue is currently a matter in the Judicial System, and should those involved in this case suffer any defects, it is their right to address them in that system through the appeals court.
“Again, the oversight regarding how this case was handled, from arrest to prosecution, lies within the Justice System. Therefore, I have consulted Attorney General Charles Foti and Donald Washington, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, regarding these events in Jena. As a result, General Foti has been and is in consultation with U.S. Attorney Washington and other members of the Justice System. Regardless of the outcome of this case, the Jena community has much healing ahead of it, and I urge all those citizens to come together for the common good of their community and their state. Our children deserve nothing less.”
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After being told by a vice principal at the school that the students could sit wherever they pleased, they did. The next day, three nooses were found hanging from said tree. Although the school's principal recommended that the white students responsible for hanging the nooses be expelled, the school superintendent and board overruled that recommendation and portrayed the nooses as a "silly prank." That led to several weeks of unrest that included one black student being assaulted by a group of whites at a party attended by whites, and black students being threatened by a former Jena student "pumping" a shot-gun.
The incident leading to the arrest of the "Jena 6" occurred on December 4, 2006, when a fight between a white student and a black student allegedly escalated into a beat-down of the white student by six black students. Charged were Robert Bailey, 17, Theo Shaw, 17, Carwin Jones, 18, Bryant Purvis, 17, Mychal Bell, 16 and a juvenile. Their bonds ranged from $70,000 to $138,000. They were charged with attempted second degree murder and conspiracy to commit second degree murder, and face decades in jail.
Mychal Bell has already been tried by an all-white jury and convicted of second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy (the prosecutors reduced the charges on the first day of trial). Bell is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4 and faces up to 22 years in prison.
Those of you who don't understand why this case puts a spotlight on the crisis in America's justice system, please note that the white victim allegedly taunted the black student who had been beaten by a white group of teens a few days earlier. Only one person was charged in that incident and that person was arrested on a misdemeanor.
Also, the white victim was badly bruised and suffered a black eye, but was treated at the hospital and released, and apparently was in good enough shape to attend a social event that evening.
This case is just beginning to get national exposure, but has been circulating on various blogs for months.
Still, it should come as no surprise to O.J. that he is hated in some circles--not because he is black, but because he is a black man who was acquitted of brutally butchering his white wife. But this is still America. You can't deny public accommodations to someone just because you hate them.
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