As I sat there listening to Barack Obama's speech on Tuesday, I realized about 10 minutes into it, that I would remember this event for a very long time, possibly the rest of my life. It was an historical moment in politics--I think that goes without saying. But as an "80s baby", it was truly my first experience witnessing a major political figure engage in the politics of race in America--while knowing that the rest of the world was watching with me (or would be watching clips on youtube later). This is not an endoresment for Senator Obama. This isn't even about Obama. (Black Youth Vote! is a a program of NCBCP, a non-partisan 501(c)3 organization.) I bring his speech up because because it captured the spirit and underlying mission of many young black political activists I work and grind with on the day-to-day.
That mission, I believe, is to move past the racial disparities in America. People of color are tired of talking about racial problems just like many white Americans may be tired of hearing about them! But Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous people will not move past those racial problems until they are dealt with by the larger American community-- not as subset issues on a grand agenda, but as a priority issues given wide and critical attention by national leaders. Will our generation be ready to overcome the deep-seated resentment instilled in us by our elders? This, I pose, SHOULD BE the greatest challenge of the "Millenial Generation." And while it may be popular rhetoric, I'm not convinced that we ALL see issues like poor schools, growing prison populations, closing public hospitals, youth crime, drug abuse, affordable housing and immigrants rights as AMERICAN PROBLEMS and not "other" people's problems.
If so, it would be a radical change from the American tradition. Too many times throughout history have Black people reached out to groups for assistance and acceptance and been given a REAL chilly shoulder. Or, instead, had their efforts co-opted, deceptively used to serve a separate agenda, or half-heartedly supported just to gain the trust of black voters. Still, there is no denying the fact that when we sincerely work together cross-racially--the results are off the chain. A hero among American journalists, Ida B. Wells traveled across the country, and even to Europe to enlist support for her grassroots campaign against the lynching of Blacks in America. Their willing support increased awareness abroad, and produced embarassment of their relatives in the US. Likewise, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a black inception, engaged white students early on in its work in the civil rights movement. The support of these white students fostered the growing support and empathy of the black struggle during that period of change. Lastly, the appointment of our many strong, unapologetically Black members of Congress, and other elected officials, prove to be proud products of cross-racial organizing at its best.
What is unique about the hip hop or "Millenial" generation, I believe, is that many of us do indeed see great potential in the idea of a Multicultural America--A place where we can walk our hoods and not be constantly reminded of the tragic racial inequality that exists. We are eager to gain perspective from others' struggles, and share our own with the world without shame.
We are coming up in the game. The next 50 to 60 years are in our hands, ya'll. We must break out of the habit of allowing racial discourse to occur strictly during times of media spectacle, and force it onto the table as a topic of importance despite who is running for office, who is on trial, or who is up for the grammys at the time.
WE ARE NOT VICTIMS. Contrary to popular belief, young Black people especially are tired of being victimized. This is not our cause. However, it is our history that is our essence; and to deny or forget about that history and the fight of our parents, grandparents and elders would be a sign of ingratitude and great disrespect of the collective Black struggle. I believe this is also the case for other disenfranchised groups as well. AND, until these histories are recognized, appreciated, and their problematic manifestations of today justly dealt with, our generation will make NO PROGRESS, and play no significant role in world history.
Is larger society ready to deal with our issues for real?
Is there really a significant difference between the millenial generation and the baby-boomers?
Who is already incorporating this solution into their work?
Will the outcome of the election in November 08 determine people's readiness and excitement to make these changes happen?
PLEASE SHARE YOUR COMMENTS!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
a blog for the next generation of black leadership.
BLACK YOUTH VOTE MUSIC!
Find Your Representative!
LINKS
- Black Youth Vote Official Site
- BYV! MySpace Page
- BYV! YouTube Channel
- Congress Directory--Find Your Representatives
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Demos: A Better Deal Conference
- Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative
- Generation Vote Project
- Hip Hop Caucus
- League of Young Voters Education Fund
- State Farm's "50 Million Pound Challenge"
- The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
- The National Urban League
Add BYV! Blog to your Myspace or Website!
Economic Forum
Disclaimer
Blog Disclaimer
The following rules govern the use by you of all Black Youth Vote! / National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Blogs. By accessing this site, you agree to abide by these rules and any modifications thereto.
BYV! / NCBCP reserves the right to remove any and all comments that do not comply with the guidelines contained below. These include comments that use profanity, make personal attacks, or contain other inappropriate comments or material. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or any other policies governing this site.
However, BYV! / NCBCP makes no warranties of any kind with regard to the contents of this site or to any comments posted by third parties, including without limitation warranties of title, non-infringement, or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. BYV! / NCBCP does not warrant that any information is complete or accurate or that any information or links provided are free of rogue programming.
You understand and acknowledge that you use and/or rely on any information obtained through the blog at your own risk.
By using this site, you hereby release and waive any and all claims against BYV! / NCBCP, its Sections, Branches, directors, officers, employees, members and agents, arising from or in connection with your use of this site. You also agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless BYV! / NCBCP from and against any and all claims, including costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from or in connection with your use of the blog or your failure to abide by applicable law.
Blog Comment Guidelines
We welcome your participation in blog comment threads. In order to keep the experience a positive one for all of our users, we ask that you follow the rules outlined below. By submitting comments to this blog, you are consenting to the following rules:
1. You agree that you are fully responsible for the content that you post. You may not post content that is libelous, defamatory, obscene, abusive, that violates a third party's right to privacy, that otherwise violates any applicable local, state, national or international law, or that is otherwise inappropriate. Furthermore, you may not post content that degrades others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual preference, disability or other classification. Language intended to intimidate or to incite violence will not be tolerated. In addition, by posting material on the blog comments, you represent that you have the legal right to reproduce, adapt, display, and distribute this material to others. BYV! / NCBCP will not be held responsible for posted information that may infringe on a third party's copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.
2. You understand and agree that BYV! / NCBCP may modify the content of your comments. BYV! / NCBCP may monitor user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove, edit or otherwise alter content that it deems inappropriate for any reason.
3. You understand and agree that the blog is to be used only for non-commercial purposes. This blog prohibits any actions to solicit funds, promote commercial entities or otherwise engage in commercial activity through the blog comment function.
The following rules govern the use by you of all Black Youth Vote! / National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Blogs. By accessing this site, you agree to abide by these rules and any modifications thereto.
BYV! / NCBCP reserves the right to remove any and all comments that do not comply with the guidelines contained below. These include comments that use profanity, make personal attacks, or contain other inappropriate comments or material. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or any other policies governing this site.
However, BYV! / NCBCP makes no warranties of any kind with regard to the contents of this site or to any comments posted by third parties, including without limitation warranties of title, non-infringement, or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. BYV! / NCBCP does not warrant that any information is complete or accurate or that any information or links provided are free of rogue programming.
You understand and acknowledge that you use and/or rely on any information obtained through the blog at your own risk.
By using this site, you hereby release and waive any and all claims against BYV! / NCBCP, its Sections, Branches, directors, officers, employees, members and agents, arising from or in connection with your use of this site. You also agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless BYV! / NCBCP from and against any and all claims, including costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from or in connection with your use of the blog or your failure to abide by applicable law.
Blog Comment Guidelines
We welcome your participation in blog comment threads. In order to keep the experience a positive one for all of our users, we ask that you follow the rules outlined below. By submitting comments to this blog, you are consenting to the following rules:
1. You agree that you are fully responsible for the content that you post. You may not post content that is libelous, defamatory, obscene, abusive, that violates a third party's right to privacy, that otherwise violates any applicable local, state, national or international law, or that is otherwise inappropriate. Furthermore, you may not post content that degrades others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual preference, disability or other classification. Language intended to intimidate or to incite violence will not be tolerated. In addition, by posting material on the blog comments, you represent that you have the legal right to reproduce, adapt, display, and distribute this material to others. BYV! / NCBCP will not be held responsible for posted information that may infringe on a third party's copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights.
2. You understand and agree that BYV! / NCBCP may modify the content of your comments. BYV! / NCBCP may monitor user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove, edit or otherwise alter content that it deems inappropriate for any reason.
3. You understand and agree that the blog is to be used only for non-commercial purposes. This blog prohibits any actions to solicit funds, promote commercial entities or otherwise engage in commercial activity through the blog comment function.
5 comments:
I think the brilliance of this whole election cycle is the fact that with "different" candidates, we are starting to have "different" conversations. It will take time, a few more election cylces really, before the issues we care about - mandatory minimums, prison industrial complex, etc - will be issues as prominent as health care, the economy and Iraq, but we're getting there...
Post speech: the issues of race and race relations in this country will not be solved by some big unity love fest. the speech was great, but those issues really begin to be chiseled away when we elect people into office that are dedicated to working on the issues that people have to deal with because of their race, the issues that will continue to keep communities of color and poor communities oppressed if we do not continue to do the work. you force people to have conversations about race when you force them to view statistics of disparities, hear the stories, witness it for themselves, and then have them appropriate resources differently then they are now.
though i'm positive that most American's don't really know what they're getting themselves into by being so active this election cycle, i do think it's a great time to harness the energy of new and young voters and older voters who had previously given up on the system. it's these folks that are coming or coming back into the fold that will have the power to help reframe the discussion with us. that can help elect new people at the state and local level so that we can strengthen the pipeline to nation leadership and in turn strengthen our voice at the table. i heard rep. bobby scott say it best recently when he admitted that the days of campaigning on the issues of retirees are almost over. if this new generation of voters is serious about being involved in the process, then it's their issues that the electeds will be jocking for.
but its up to us to bridge those relationships and give them real options for activism and involvement.
peace, IBS
“I've never been as sure that Barak Obama is exactly what this country needs. He did not back down from dealing with race. He told the history of slavery, jim crow, and generational poverty that has shackled Black progress. He talked about the silent resentments that seethe as an undercurrent of racial division in America. He didn't demonize or diminish Rev. Wright, saying he couldn't disown him anymore than he could disown his White grandmother for having racist attitudes. He challenged America to deal with race openly, and he made me feel like this country is my responsibility.
The first person I saw after the speech was a white woman who had tears in her eyes and said it was the most beautiful expression of the truth about and hope for America. It was like a sermon. It was a perfect way to respond.”
- Mike, 31 year, Atlanta
“To examine the Obama speech delivered at the US Constitution Center seems easy enough he only addressed one of the touchiest issues on either side of the Mason Dixon line, "Race in America." It is easy to say that he could not avoid talking about this issue, with at every turn race and sex coming up as issues in the democratic contest. Earlier this election cycle Obama gave a controversial speech about "Just Words" now we will see if the words he spoke today will spur us as an American family to not only talk about race in America but to begin the uncomfortable process of working on solutions to address race in America.
I appreciated hearing a candidate talk about the imperfections of a religious leader and recognizing that even in the imperfections there is a lesson that can be learned. I appreciate hearing dare I say loyalty, although I think some will question that loyalty as a defect in Obama's character. I appreciate that the speech was not one sided he spoke about the historical context of race in America and its effects on all races, not just Black or White.”
- Tiffany, 33 year old, Philadelphia
Some are calling this the most important speech since Dr. King's I Have A Dream Speech. Barack Obama's speech voiced many of the issues and concerns of all sides of the race issue. He touched on some of black people's reasons for the way that we feel about America. He also voiced some of the concerns of white Americans who feel that they have been disserviced by America and its policies to help black Americans. I swear that if I had a dollar for every time a white classmate in high school asked me why I believed in affirmative action and why I thought that I should get in to a college "just because I am black" I could pay my tuition and room and board for two years. Barack Obama is pointing out the different ways we as Americans feel and how it is necessary to talk about these feelings and the issues they create. More importantly he explained that we have to ACT in order to try to improve the race relations in America.
Jeremiah Wright--- what did he say again? I know it was bad and wrong, but what was it that he said? At this point I really don't remember or care. Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright are two different men and are therefore allowed to have two different even opposing opinions. Barack made it clear that he is not Wright and does not agree with his comments. The woman from CNN spent every breath she took on air trying to instigate and add fuel to the fire about Wright's words, but she was unsuccessful. Every other person who made comments was able to see the real issue and the point of Barack's address. This anchorwoman insisted that Barack Obama should leave the church. She completely devalued Obama's comment about his grandmother because "you can choose your pastor." Maybe this is another case of a white person being incapable of understanding the black church and the black community. Obviously this white woman has failed to realize that to black people their pastor IS FAMILY. For black people once a pastor has been influential in your life for TWENTY YEARS and has married you and baptized your children YOU DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM HIM AND HIS CHURCH BECAUSE OF COMMENTS YOU DISAGREE WITH! There are a few words that many people do not fully comprehend. These words are LOYALTY, COMMITMENT, and SUPPORT. To people who have morals and standards, people like Barack Obama, these three are important. Without these three things Barack Obama's campaign would never have happened. Without Rev. Wright Barack Obama would not be running for president. You are asking Barack to disown the man who brought him to God. One thing in life that is pretty much guaranteed is that people will have different opinions. Barack could leave his church, but there is not a single black church in America that he could join because he would have to leave at some point do to a difference in opinions.
Barack Obama tackled the issue of race and he did it gallantly. The message that racial division in America in the future will destroy America has been sent. I can only hope that the American people will hear it and respond accordingly. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
Illai---Black Youth Vote (Howard University)
Given the undeniable context of a hotly contested primary season, with issues of race floating on and below the surface, we must step back and see the larger frame that this important dialogue takes place. Race is Americas’ unaddressed weakness. That place where we cower in the midst of a debate that has plagued our history and holds back the true potential of a great nation. It’s a divide that Sen. Barack Obama placed squarely on his shoulders to open the doors of our country to continue unfinished business. It was a candid open observation that will spark much needed discourse for years to come.
Let us take a moment to examine the divide that separate neighbors, co-workers and even strangers. You know…The elephant that’s in the room during the OJ trial, or as we listen to hip-hop lyrics in mixed company and we hear the “N” word. It’s the weight on generations of forced immigrants from Africa that bare the scars of struggle through slavery, segregation and even integration. We saw a man stand up with a voice that would break through fear and bring the dialogue to the kitchen table, office water cooler, gym, streets and news talk shows. It’s brave because in the mix of campaigning and avoiding race we see its undeniable rise to the top.
How can we talk about health care and not talk about race? How can we talk about education and not talk about race? How can we talk about the economy and not talk about race? I could go on but you see that as we lift up race we lift up America. We close the gaps that make us less stable.
I will say that it’s by no means easy. The reality is that it’s actually quit complex and requires listening from all sides with a truthful ear to bridging the gaps that keep us apart. We not only have to thank Barack but also those that have made comments that may have been controversial to help us really understand the need to begin healing.
Sen. Obamas words are only the beginning as we pull back the curtain and deal with the real problems that America keeps hidden. Let us push forward the hard work of reconciliation, understanding and truth as we seek solutions to the larger issues of our society and improve on a infrastructure that builds a stronger economy for all Americans, with affordable health care, a first class education system for all and peace and security that reaches every neighborhood, and every block…..
Post a Comment