Volume 7 Issue 23…Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race…June 11, 2004

By James Madison Bell (1826-1902)

Though slavery's dead, yet there remains

A work for those from whom the chains

Today are falling one by one;

Nor should they deem their labor done,

Nor shrink the task, however hard,

While it insures a great reward,

And bids them on its might depend

For perfect freedom in the end.

Commend yourselves through self-respect;

Let self-respect become your guide:

Then will consistency reflect

Your rightful claims to manhood's pride.

But while you cringe and basely cower,

And while your ostracize your class,

Heaven will ne'er assume the power

To elevate you as a mass.

In this yourselves must take the lead;

You must yourselves first elevate;

Till then the world will ne'er concede

Your claims to manhood's high estate.

Respect yourself; this forms the base

Of manhood's claim to man's regard.

Next to yourself, respect your race,

Whose care should be your constant ward;

Remember that you are a class

Distinct and separate in this land,

And all the wealth you may amass,

Or skill, or learning, won't command

That high respect you vainly seek,

Until you practice what you claim--

Until the acts and words you speak

Shall, in the concrete, be the same.

Screen not behind a pallid brow;

Paint lends no virtue to the face;

Until the Black's respected, thou,

With all the branches of his race,

Must bow beneath the cruel ban

And often feel the wrinkled brow

Bent on you by a fellow-man

Not half so worthy, oft, as thou.

Away with caste, and let us fight

As men, the battles of the free,

And heaven will arm you with the might

And power of man's divinity.

There may be causes for distrust,

And many an act that seems unjust;

But who, when taking all in all,

And summing up our present state,

Would find no objects to extol,

No worthy deeds to emulate?

About Me: A poet, plasterer and civil rights advocate, Bell was born in Ohio. Friend and supporter of abolitionist John Brown, Bell wrote, published and gave public readings. He lectured nationwide against slavery and for black educational and legal rights. The Progress of Liberty is his most famous poem written in celebration of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. (See: www.luvzbluez.com/blackpoet3.html)

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro is lazy. He eschews work, claiming he will not be a servant. However, since his favorite summertime activities, such as swimming, require money, he embraces chores for compensation. When asked to read the next chapter of our current book, "Charlotte's Web," the Dark One/Ninja Zorro facetiously inquired, "Does it pay."

Medgar Wiley Evers (1925-1963)

"It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don't choose to live anywhere else. There's land here, where a man can raise cattle, and I'm going to do it some day. There are lakes where a man can sink a hook and fight the bass. There is room here for my children to play and grow, and become good citizens--if the white man will let them...." Medgar Evers, "Why I Live in Mississippi" printed in Ebony Magazine (November 1958)

Born on July 2, 1925, near Decatur, Mississippi, Medgar Evers dropped out of school to join the United States Army (1943). After service in Normandy, he finished high school and enrolled at Alcorn College (now Alcorn State University). His many activities, which ranged from the debate team to track, earned him recognition in Who's Who in American Colleges.

At Alcorn, Evers met and married Myrlie Beasley. He received his B.A. (1952) and the couple moved to Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Evers worked as an agent for Magnolia Mutual Insurance. As he traveled across the state selling insurance, he became increasingly angry about the impoverished condition of blacks.

Evers joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). After the Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v Board of Education (1954), he attempted to integrate the University of Mississippi Law School. His application was denied, but his effort gained national attention. The NAACP appointed him Mississippi's first field secretary (1954). Evers established local NAACP branches throughout the Delta and organized boycotts of merchants that discriminated against black people.

The Evers moved to Jackson, Mississippi, set up a NAACP office, investigated crimes against blacks and sought ways to prevent them. His boycott of Jackson merchants and effort to get James Meredith admitted to the University of Mississippi (1962) attracted national attention. Meredith's admission to Ole Miss, seen as a major step in securing black civil rights in the state, served as a lightning rod of white hatred towards Evers.

Despite violent threats against him, Evers advocated non-violence and continued to work for civil rights. On June 12, 1963, he was shot in the back. At the scene, the murder weapon with fingerprints was found. Member of a white-supremacist group, Byron de la Beckwith was arrested. Two trials with all-white juries ended in deadlocks. In 1989, information surfaced suggesting jury tampering; a new trial was put together. On February 5, 1994, a multiracial jury found Beckwith guilty; he was sentenced to life in prison.

Blacks and whites from around the country attended Evers' funeral in Jackson and gathered for his interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Medgar Evers College, a unit of the City University of New York in Brooklyn, was named in his honor. Numerous books, films and documentaries have been written and dedicated to his life of service. On June 28, 1992, his adopted hometown of Jackson erected a statue in his honor. (Sources: www.olemiss.edu and www.gale.com/)

Young People and Election 2004

An Election 2004 article by Andrea Jones (Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6-5-04) examined current attitudes and opinions of young voters as reflected in the latest polls. The Zogby poll revealed young voters "lean to the left on issues of human rights and are very concerned about the Patriot Act infringing on civil rights. More libertarian than their parents, they operate on a 'live and let live' mind-set." Very devastating for Bush, young people relate to their peers dying in Iraq as something that could happen to them. Asked about the conflict, "67% believe the war in Iraq has increased the terrorist threat worldwide."

According to Georgia State University political science professor, Michael Binford, "young people don't have deep partisan roots and are more easily swayed by issues. Two-thirds say they believe it will be difficult to find jobs after graduation, despite claims that the economy is picking up." Compared to a similar poll in October, "fewer young people support the president's stance on Iraq or consider themselves Republicans."

The University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey focused on undecided voters in the so-called 20 battleground states, where the presidential race is closest. Surveying 8,000 of the almost 23 million uncommitted swing states' voters, it found voters "gloomier about the economy and Iraq and more critical of Bush than the rest of the nation." Only 39% had a favorable opinion of Bush, with 36% unfavorable. Very pessimistic about the economy, only 14% felt it was good or excellent, further explaining their 44% job approval rating for Bush.

By John Burl Smith

The Supreme Court's decision in Bush v Gore began a nightmare for Democrats. Having won Election 2000 only to have it stolen, they were blown away by 9-11 and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Democrats could only lament what should have been going into 2004. The goal for rank and file Democrats was revenge for 2000 by building a team that could beat George Bush.

Last week (6-4-04) Democratic operatives met at a 3-day "Take Back America" conference sponsored by Campaign for America's Future. More than 2000 attended the confab where speakers, such as George Soros and Sen. Hillary Clinton, pumped up "insiders." Designed to develop a winning strategy for November 2, Soros ("America," The DISH Vol. 6 no 37) has bankrolled a dozen 527 political action committees (PACs) with $15 million to beat Bush.

Given Bush's bad poll numbers, a dozen 527s and unscathed by the blood-letting that killed off Howard Dean, an anointed John Kerry, like Brutus, keeps his dagger well hidden in his tunic. The heir apparent seems headed to the White House, except many remain unconvinced Kerry possesses a burning desire to beat Bush. For instance, the only support Bush has is his conservative base, while Kerry has yet to appeal to his.

After Election 2000, this reporter would caution Kerry and Soros against trusting solely their assessments. Soros, a clever financier and generous philanthropist, has given almost $5 billion to promote "open society" around the world. However, any political novice knows that black voter turnout determines US presidential elections, if their votes are counted. When black voter turnouts are large, Democrats win. If black voters stay home, Republicans win. In 2000, black voters turned out, which is why Republicans resorted to the Supreme Court and Bush v Gore to win.

The "Take Back America" conference illustrated how black grassroots organizers are locked out of decision-making and not allowed to represent their views or contribute to strategy. Anyone confident enough in a Kerry victory to state, "I now take the defeat of Bush more or less for granted" but is giving away $5 billion to open societies and has not given any to blacks to help open up America's closed society, has taken black voters for granted. Presently, neither Soros, Kerry nor the 527s recognizes the value of investing in black votes.

Polls that show Bush doing badly in battleground states among young, independent and undecided voters show Kerry doing worse. Credibility with blacks, minorities, youth, women, poor and powerless people is Kerry's problem. Campaigning to the same voters as Bush, white men, Kerry is so closely aligned with the conservative Democratic Leadership Council that he is "Bush-lite." Moreover, none of the $15 million Soros spent has reached black community organizers, who must help generate the huge voter turnout Kerry will need to beat Bush. In Georgia, where virtually no money is being spent, polls show Bush leads Kerry 49 to 39 percentage points. Ironically, Kerry's campaign, like Gore's in 2000, has already conceded Georgia to Bush.

Kerry's choice of a vice presidential running mate can signal real change or continued support of white male dominance. If responses to personalities are indicative of the candidate most Democrats would like to see on the ticket, Sen. Clinton tops all polls. They feel she would broaden Kerry's appeal with groups in which he lacks credibility and solidify the Democratic base enough to "Take Back America" by beating Bush!

Disgruntled says: Shabaka Tecumseh recently asked for our take on Walter E. Williams' essay "Managing a Disaster." Williams suggests applying the triage method used in disasters to determine which victims receive medical attention to allocating resources in educating children. Williams thinks some black children, those without family support, will not benefit academically no matter the amount of resources expended on them. This narrow perspective ignores the fact that humans are works in progress. If childhood education is left to such narrow minds, the world would have relegated some of our greatest thinkers and inventors to the dung heap of ignorance, rendering the world poorer for it.

Disgruntled feels: Overtaxed! In May, William Wright, a black attorney, filed a lawsuit naming the IRS and federal government. Wright argues that the 1913 tax code, which applies to "citizens and aliens," does not apply to blacks because they have been denied basic citizenship rights. The suit cites the discrimination he has endured and the use of black tax dollars in Georgia to fund private schools to maintain segregation. Wright is demanding a full refund of all taxes he has paid since 1963 and all taxes paid by blacks since 1913. Overtaxed, he is also advocating a moratorium on taxing blacks.

Disgruntled wants to know: In testimony on 6-8-04 before the Senate Judiciary Committee, John Ashcroft claimed, "This administration rejects torture." Yet, in a Pentagon memo the Bush administration argued for the use of interrogation tactics that violate the Geneva conventions and international law. Clearly, there have been egregious violations at sites beyond Abu Ghraib. Given their recent history as defenders of the rule of law, one wonders why are conservatives silent now?

On Cos, Class and Cause

By Dot Smith

Comedian Bill Cosby created quite a buzz with remarks made at a NAACP gala commemorating the 50th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education. In light of Cos' comments on blacks, revisiting Smith's paradigm seems apropos to separate rhetoric from reality.

Like too many African Americans that "have made it," Cosby cashes in on blaming the victim, thus ingratiating himself with those he perceives as members of his "class." Sure he scored some points. Blacks should speak standard English, although failure to do so did not keep George W. Bush out of the White House. Some blacks do spend hard-earned dollars on designer garbage rather than books and "Hooked on Phonics." Blacks that steal cokes, cakes or anything else should not be surprised when the police shoots them in the back. However, the black community ought to reject police brutality regardless of what Cosby and blacks of his ilk suggest to the contrary. Blacks could do more to improve individual situations. More could be comedians like Cosby cause black buffoonery built on black stereotyping pays well in America.

Changing the things Cosby criticized will not affect the underlying cause of the socioeconomic condition of American blacks. Regardless of their education and elocution, blacks are the last hired and first fired. Even blacks with "good jobs" and excellent credit pay higher interest rates on home and consumer loans than their white counterparts. Blacks are profiled while shopping, driving and simply breathing.

The condition of blacks today dates back to slavery and the Three-Fifths or Great Compromise (1787), which was codified in the US Constitution. Using black and white median family income data, Fig. 1 depicts the value constitutionally assigned to black human capital of 3/5 whites. This relative value exists today. In 2001, the median white family income was $54,067, while the black median family income was $33,598 or 62.1%. The stability of the income gap between black and white families defies competitive market analysis. For lack of a better term, this aberration is called institutionalized racism.

When white politicians pledge to honor American family values, it is this relationship they are talking about maintaining; it is code for the economic gap that keeps blacks in a state of economic slavery. Cosby and his ilk are ignorant on the real cause of the black condition; it is too easy to get laughs by blaming the victim.

Fig. 2 provides black and white unemployment rates over roughly the same period as Fig. 1. Black unemployment rates averaged 2.1 times the rates for whites in good and bad economic times. This difference in unemployment is an important factor in maintaining the income gap. Most families derive income primarily from employment; a relatively higher unemployment rate for one group ensures an income gap; twice as high guarantees perpetuation of the 3/5 Compromise.

When blacks begin to intelligently discuss the underlying cause of the black human condition, rather than seeking laughs and applause for ridiculing black stereotypes, then we can begin to discuss and work on solutions. Over the years, I have suggested that closing the gap or chasm of inequality will require more than superficial measures, such as affirmative action or diversity programs. Fundamental change requires reparations and a revolution to amend the constitution and change the mind-sets of black and white Americans.

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