Guest Viewpoint: Black Is Back Asks “Where’s the Bailout for Us?”
http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/articles/1124/1/Guest-Viewpoint-Black-Is-Back-Asks--Wheres-the-Bailout-for-Us/Page1.html
William Reed
By William Reed
Published on 11/18/2009
What constitutes Black identity and voice in America today? Does the majority of Black Americans still identify with President Barack Obama and voice the post-racial idioms that the nation has rid institutionalized racism? Or, are growing numbers of discontented African Americans ready to re-define their political and economic identities?
What constitutes Black identity and voice in America today? Does the majority of Black Americans still identify with President Barack Obama and voice the post-racial idioms that the nation has rid institutionalized racism? Or, are growing numbers of discontented African Americans ready to re-define their political and economic identities?
A coalition declaring “Black Is Back” recently gathered in Washington questioning his identity with Blacks. We need to remind people of the absolute lack of ‘progress’ since new faces assumed leadership. The Coalition’s chief organizer said concerns of Black and working people remain insufficiently addressed. Omali Yeshitela, who heads the Uhuru movement said at a Washington march and rally, “The political paralysis toward righting the ills of Black Americans suffers from lack of a Black-led movement to counter ‘post-racial’ politics”.
To fill the breach, “Black is Back” seeks to bring back the “Fight the Power” tradition historically used to create structural change. The Coalition’s “Call to Action” is consistent with those of masses of Black and Brown Americans: Black and Brown people continue to suffer the brunt of un/under-employment and predatory loan scandal crises. The Coalition also counters Obama on the military spending and warfare that continues on his watch.
The Coalition cites that mass incarcerations, police brutality and political imprisonment remain rampant among African Americans; the Coalition seeks to wake an ethos of Black identification and enjoin millions to take the movement to the next level. In November 2008 Obama earned 93 percent of the Black Vote. Since election, Obama’s popularity has declined among Blacks as well as other ethnic groups. In a May 2009 poll 60 percent of Blacks felt that Obama met their expectations, while just 46 percent of Whites did. The October 2009 Labor Department figures show the Black unemployment rate at 15.4 percent compared to an average 9.8 percent for other groups.
Historically, Black independence and nationalist movements have not only sought racial pride and dedication, but have been directly tied to struggles for economic and social equality as well. “Black is Back” Coalition co-organizer Glen Ford, Executive Editor of the Black Agenda Report said that as the US Government is bailing out banks, Blacks Americans should be asking, “Where’s the bailout for us”? Ford points out that the bank rescues and other economic lifelines could end up costing the nation as much as $23 trillion.
That amount could be more than the federal government has spent on any single effort in America’s history. Those who oppose “Black is Back is mostly among Black Americans. The pivotal question is: “Will Blacks buy into just false choices of “post-racial” rhetoric, or that of “status quo” conservatives; as opposed to Yeshitela’s vision: “To free our people’s hopes and dreams from oblivion”?
A coalition declaring “Black Is Back” recently gathered in Washington questioning his identity with Blacks. We need to remind people of the absolute lack of ‘progress’ since new faces assumed leadership. The Coalition’s chief organizer said concerns of Black and working people remain insufficiently addressed. Omali Yeshitela, who heads the Uhuru movement said at a Washington march and rally, “The political paralysis toward righting the ills of Black Americans suffers from lack of a Black-led movement to counter ‘post-racial’ politics”.
To fill the breach, “Black is Back” seeks to bring back the “Fight the Power” tradition historically used to create structural change. The Coalition’s “Call to Action” is consistent with those of masses of Black and Brown Americans: Black and Brown people continue to suffer the brunt of un/under-employment and predatory loan scandal crises. The Coalition also counters Obama on the military spending and warfare that continues on his watch.
The Coalition cites that mass incarcerations, police brutality and political imprisonment remain rampant among African Americans; the Coalition seeks to wake an ethos of Black identification and enjoin millions to take the movement to the next level. In November 2008 Obama earned 93 percent of the Black Vote. Since election, Obama’s popularity has declined among Blacks as well as other ethnic groups. In a May 2009 poll 60 percent of Blacks felt that Obama met their expectations, while just 46 percent of Whites did. The October 2009 Labor Department figures show the Black unemployment rate at 15.4 percent compared to an average 9.8 percent for other groups.
Historically, Black independence and nationalist movements have not only sought racial pride and dedication, but have been directly tied to struggles for economic and social equality as well. “Black is Back” Coalition co-organizer Glen Ford, Executive Editor of the Black Agenda Report said that as the US Government is bailing out banks, Blacks Americans should be asking, “Where’s the bailout for us”? Ford points out that the bank rescues and other economic lifelines could end up costing the nation as much as $23 trillion.
That amount could be more than the federal government has spent on any single effort in America’s history. Those who oppose “Black is Back is mostly among Black Americans. The pivotal question is: “Will Blacks buy into just false choices of “post-racial” rhetoric, or that of “status quo” conservatives; as opposed to Yeshitela’s vision: “To free our people’s hopes and dreams from oblivion”?