Thursday, March 6, 2008
Black & Brown Political Party For Success
Thirty-Six years after Gary, it will be abundantly clear that Blacks and Browns in America must form their own political party. The history of the United States of America clearly shows that the dominant culture has used these voters for their own ends for more than 100 years.
If we consider several historical facts, the proof is so overwhelming that all opposition will crumble and detractors slink away in shame.
(1) Today no-one considers the fact that the first Civil Rights Act of 1865 was passed, which gave Black people the same rights as Whites. In 1868, in order to keep the Southern politicans out of control of Congress, the Radical Republicans gave black men the right to vote in the 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870. And they did this, despite the Black cry for "land" instead of the vote. Black Americans wanted land to cultivate so that they could feed their families. But the Republicans used them to work the land for Whites and vote for Republicans to control Congress. Women had to wait for another 50 years.
Ten years later the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed with the intention to open public accommodation including "schools, churches, cemeteries, hotels, and transportation to all people regardless of race" (Hine, Hine, & Harold, 2006, p. 327). Hispanics and Asians in the country at that time benefited greatly and were allowed to flourish somewhat.
(2) Blacks dutifully and loyally voted Republican for 60 years, then in 1933, Herbert Hoover appointed a racist judge, John J. Parker, to the Supreme Court. From that point on, the NAACP prompted every Black to vote Democratic since the Republicans only wanted to use them. Voting toghether, Blacks defeated every Senator (22 of them) that voted for Judge Parker, and they still vote Democratic today. But the question remains: "For what purpose do Blacks vote Democratic?"
(3) Blacks fought and died in every war, and they suffered worse than death everytime the Democratic Party failed them. They suffered under discrimination, segregated in every area of life until in 1960, in the heat of the battle for their citizenship rights, the Democratic Party produced John Kennedy and his brother Bobby who showed some affinity to Black people. Black hope for equality was short-lived because conspirators effectively murdered both Kennedys and, in the process, murdered Dr. Martin King the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. After Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson carried forward the initiative started by Kennedy and finally signed the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, and the Voting Rights Bill of 1965.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination in public accommodation, restaurants, night-clubs, schools, swimming pools, parks and playgrounds as well as employers from discriminating against African Americans. Through all of this, Hispanic, Latino and Mexican-Americans benefited.
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 banned discrimination in housing and authorized the Justice Department to sue landlords and Real Estate companies that violated the law.
The Civil Rights Act of 1972 firmly established Affirmative Action, with the intent to level the playing field for minorities and Blacks in particular. President Carter appointed Eleanor Holmes Norton as the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Because of the EEOC, African Americans began to move into the Middle Class. But this also benefited many Hispanic and Latino professionals.
Some African Americans positioned to take advantage of Affirmative Action were appointed to many top positions in Corporate America and high posts in state and local government. Despite all this, the majority of Black America still suffered.
(4) In 1972, 8000 blacks convened the National Black Political Convention. The Convention addressed Black America in an attempt to define some "essential changes" that must take place if the full potential of black children was to be realized. The general understanding at that time was "Both parties have betrayed us!" But because many of the participants were enjoying Middle Class status and high appointments at the hand of White America, the convention split before it could decide what was the best strategy for African Americans. This was the result of White strategy of divide and conquer. Ever since native Americans and Blacks united to fight White domination in Florida, a clear strategy has been to keep Blacks and native Americans divided. Native Americans had been used to track runaway slaves; but the Army had also used Blacks to track and fight rebel native Americans. Unfortunately, the same kind of strategy is being used today. The theme of the American Media is that Blacks and Hispanics are in some kind of culture conflict over jobs and empowerment.
Nevertheless, if Blacks and Browns revisit what was discussed in Gary, and become to realize that they have both been betrayed, they will derive a power never before experienced in America and things will change. With the power to elect a President and give a Party the votes to control Congress, the Black-Brown Coalition of some almost 60 million people will be formidable.
For What it's Worth . . .
If we consider several historical facts, the proof is so overwhelming that all opposition will crumble and detractors slink away in shame.
(1) Today no-one considers the fact that the first Civil Rights Act of 1865 was passed, which gave Black people the same rights as Whites. In 1868, in order to keep the Southern politicans out of control of Congress, the Radical Republicans gave black men the right to vote in the 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870. And they did this, despite the Black cry for "land" instead of the vote. Black Americans wanted land to cultivate so that they could feed their families. But the Republicans used them to work the land for Whites and vote for Republicans to control Congress. Women had to wait for another 50 years.
Ten years later the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed with the intention to open public accommodation including "schools, churches, cemeteries, hotels, and transportation to all people regardless of race" (Hine, Hine, & Harold, 2006, p. 327). Hispanics and Asians in the country at that time benefited greatly and were allowed to flourish somewhat.
(2) Blacks dutifully and loyally voted Republican for 60 years, then in 1933, Herbert Hoover appointed a racist judge, John J. Parker, to the Supreme Court. From that point on, the NAACP prompted every Black to vote Democratic since the Republicans only wanted to use them. Voting toghether, Blacks defeated every Senator (22 of them) that voted for Judge Parker, and they still vote Democratic today. But the question remains: "For what purpose do Blacks vote Democratic?"
(3) Blacks fought and died in every war, and they suffered worse than death everytime the Democratic Party failed them. They suffered under discrimination, segregated in every area of life until in 1960, in the heat of the battle for their citizenship rights, the Democratic Party produced John Kennedy and his brother Bobby who showed some affinity to Black people. Black hope for equality was short-lived because conspirators effectively murdered both Kennedys and, in the process, murdered Dr. Martin King the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. After Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson carried forward the initiative started by Kennedy and finally signed the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, and the Voting Rights Bill of 1965.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination in public accommodation, restaurants, night-clubs, schools, swimming pools, parks and playgrounds as well as employers from discriminating against African Americans. Through all of this, Hispanic, Latino and Mexican-Americans benefited.
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 banned discrimination in housing and authorized the Justice Department to sue landlords and Real Estate companies that violated the law.
The Civil Rights Act of 1972 firmly established Affirmative Action, with the intent to level the playing field for minorities and Blacks in particular. President Carter appointed Eleanor Holmes Norton as the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Because of the EEOC, African Americans began to move into the Middle Class. But this also benefited many Hispanic and Latino professionals.
Some African Americans positioned to take advantage of Affirmative Action were appointed to many top positions in Corporate America and high posts in state and local government. Despite all this, the majority of Black America still suffered.
(4) In 1972, 8000 blacks convened the National Black Political Convention. The Convention addressed Black America in an attempt to define some "essential changes" that must take place if the full potential of black children was to be realized. The general understanding at that time was "Both parties have betrayed us!" But because many of the participants were enjoying Middle Class status and high appointments at the hand of White America, the convention split before it could decide what was the best strategy for African Americans. This was the result of White strategy of divide and conquer. Ever since native Americans and Blacks united to fight White domination in Florida, a clear strategy has been to keep Blacks and native Americans divided. Native Americans had been used to track runaway slaves; but the Army had also used Blacks to track and fight rebel native Americans. Unfortunately, the same kind of strategy is being used today. The theme of the American Media is that Blacks and Hispanics are in some kind of culture conflict over jobs and empowerment.
Nevertheless, if Blacks and Browns revisit what was discussed in Gary, and become to realize that they have both been betrayed, they will derive a power never before experienced in America and things will change. With the power to elect a President and give a Party the votes to control Congress, the Black-Brown Coalition of some almost 60 million people will be formidable.
For What it's Worth . . .
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]