How about getting a Black person on the Supreme Court? by Jim Clingman Columnist

Blackonomics

By: James Clingman

How about getting a Black person on the Supreme Court?

It’s been a long time since Thurgood Marshall served on the highest court in the land; I think it’s time we get another Black person on the bench. We have a “Black” president who has now nominated two females, one white and Jewish, and one Hispanic and Catholic. Now we have six Catholics and three Jews on the Court, and no Blacks or so-called Protestants, the most prevalent religious segment in the United States. Hmmm.

You would think that after all Black people have done for this country, there would be a continuous effort to keep at least one Black person on the highest court in the land. Considering all we have sacrificed for this country, it is reasonable to assume that any fair-minded government leader would make every effort to appoint and maintain one Black person to the Supremes.

And now that we have reached the nirvana we have all been waiting for: a “post-racial society” that is willing to elect a Black man as President, one would think the Supreme Court would be one-ninth Black.

Are there no qualified Black people to serve on the Court? Since they all have to come from Harvard or Yale, do we have any Black folks with that pedigree? What’s up with this absence of Blacks on the Supreme Court? Somebody help me understand this, please!

Brother Anyim Palmer, in his book, The Failure of Public Education in the Black Community, quotes Susan B. Anthony as saying, “The old antislavery school says that women should stay back, that we must wait until male Negroes are voters. But we say, if you will not give the whole loaf of justice to an entire people, give it to the most intelligent first. If justice, intelligence and morality are to be placed in the government, then let the question of White women be brought up first and that of the Negro last.” Could that statement be the answer to my questions?

Are white women more intelligent than Black men, as Anthony suggested? Is that why Elena Kagan was nominated? Surely our President knows of someone Black who is intelligent and capable to serve as a Supreme. With all of his Harvard connections and such, I just have to believe he does. What do you think?

Okay, maybe I’ve got it. Kagan was real close to Thurgood Marshall, right? So, she is nearly Black because of her association and relationship with Marshall. All right, I get it. I hope some of Marshall’s Black consciousness rubbed of on her, since she spent so much time with him. We desperately need someone on the Court who is in tune with Black issues and someone who can relate to Black problems and stand up for us. C’mon, one out of nine is the least we can do.

I always say that, more so than a mere color of the skin, Blackness is a state of mind. Black on the outside does not necessarily mean Black on the inside. And since our government has not shown a willingness to deal equitably with the issues facing Black people in this country, there should be someone on the Supreme Court who at a minimum has a Black consciousness.

The Jewish folks have their advocates, the Catholic folks have their advocates, the Harvard folks have their advocates, the Hispanic folks have their advocate, the gay folks have their advocate, and certainly the white folks have their advocates. Where is the Black folks advocate? Considering the fact that this deal is done, I hope Elena Kagan will fill that void – for now. And, who knows? Maybe next time, huh?

By the way, who is the next white guy scheduled to retire, Scalia or Thomas?

James E. Clingman, an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati’s African American Studies department, is former editor of the Cincinnati Herald newspaper and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce. He hosts the cable television program, ”Blackonomics,” and has written several books, including his latest, Black Empowerment with an Attitude – You got a problem with that? To book Clingman for a speech or purchase his books, call 513 489 4132 or go to his Web site, www.blackonomics.com.

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Jim Clingman Columnist

Racial Justice or Racial Harmony

It may be time to reconsider how Blacks are going to engage in the American political process.

In this ethnically based competitive society, Blacks are totally dependent upon their competitors to supply water, food, medicine, energy, shelter, protection and other necessities of life.

There are absolutely no incentives for whites, Asians, Arabs, Hispanics or any other so called minority or people of color to share with and provide for the well-being of Black people.

The election of Barak Obama has effectively silenced and marginalized the Black political presence in this country. For fear of creating a white backlash that would be directed toward the President, the most courageous Black voices have chosen to be silent. The Black community at large has agreed to be ignored in order to help President Obama prove that he is the president of all the people and that he has no particular affinity toward Blacks.

In the absence of a strident Black voice, the right wing becomes embolden, launching a vicious attack on all that Obama does, including calling on God or some deranged white racist to kill him. Even moderate Blacks now feel free to abandon the legitimate unresolved concerns of Black Americans. Let’s be clear, it was the Black movement for justice that was always America’s moral compass, pushing this nation toward justice for all. Without that strident Black voice, a distorted political perspective prevails. Consider this, we are told that the election of Barak Obama shows how far we have come as a nation and Blacks are expected to appreciate that fact. Keep in mind that almost half of the nations white voters did not vote for Obama.

The election of President Obama actually measures how far some whites have come and reveals that it took them until the 21^st Century to get here. According to the way we voted, Blacks were ready for a Black president in 1984 when Jesse Louis Jackson was the best candidate in the race but it was whites who could not bring themselves to vote for a Black man. There were Black men qualified to be president as early on as Dr. Ralph Bunche in the 1950’s. It was whites who were not ready.

Blacks have been waiting for whites to catch up with reality for decades. It is important to understand that what distinguishes one leader from another is how each of them understands and interprets the history of their people that is why the protest leaders whose understanding of history concludes that "we" have made real progress as a nation, urge Blacks to accept minimal benefits for your political labor up to now.

Other leaders want immigration reform in return for 68% of the Latino vote, a woman Supreme Court Judge who is committed to woman’s rights, more attention given to protect the rights of Gay people, all of which they should insist on. However, in the absence of that strident Black voice, the legitimate unresolved issues still confronting Black Americans becomes obscured. If the authentic voices of Black people remain silent Blacks will always be offered inadequate responses that are emotionally gratifying but leave us without power or substance of any kind.

Blacks will be offered racial harmony in place of racial justice. It is important to understand they are not one in the same.

On Thursday, May 20th, at 7 PM, many thoughtful and concerned members of the black community will meet with Bob Law and others at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church for the first in a series of 3 forums to explore a new meaningful political course for Black Americans. A course that will make Blacks politically and economically competitive and self reliant. Join Us!

Forwarded to The DCN from Jim Clingman @ www.blackonomics.com

Speaking Truth To Power – Let’s Boycott Prisons! by Jim Clingman Blackonomics

Blackonomics

By: James Clingman

Let’s Boycott Prisons! 01/9/06

Jerome and Jennifer Williams chose me to speak on Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics, during the 2005 Kwanzaa Celebration in Buffalo, New York. I take this opportunity to thank my newfound brother and sister. While there I met several others with whom I am sure I will have long lasting relationships, people like Sam Radford, Dr. Florence Flakes-Rozier, and L. Nathan Hare. I was especially excited about a conversation I had with Brother Hare; he suggested that Black folks boycott prisons. Wow! What an idea!

Do I need to reiterate the bare facts concerning how the prison industrial complex is raking in billions in profits, mainly because so many Black folks are incarcerated? Must I recite the words of the 13^th Amendment of the Constitution, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States…”?

Do we need to revisit the 1990’s during which time Bush Senior and Bill Clinton went on a spending spree to build prisons? Is it necessary for us to check out the stock market and see how much money is being made by private prisons? How about reemphasizing what Brother Amos Wilson said in his book, Black on Black Violence? He wrote, “Five years after the Civil War, the Black percentage of the prison population went from close to 0% to 33%.”

I think most of us know the stats, the history, and the outcomes of such realities vis-à-vis the U.S. prison system, so the only question we should be dealing with is: Why are we allowing ourselves to be the fodder for the establishment’s prison profiteering? A recent article I wrote asked, “Why are Black folks so dominant in the cells but absent in the sales when it comes to prisons?” To further solidify that point, I repeat: We must move away from being the labor pool for the prison industrial complex. Back during the post-civil war period, former enslaved Blacks were imprisoned and then “leased” to landowners to provide free labor, essentially profit without investment.

So, understanding as we do the real motive behind this “criminal injustice system” and the reality of the prison system, a boycott of prisons is an appropriate and sensible response to many of the problems we face. In addition, a boycott of prisons would by its very nature, also obviously be a boycott of stealing, murdering, drug-dealing, gang-banging, and all the other activities in which some of our brothers and sisters are involved.

Since we have boycotted prisons on the supply side of the economic spectrum, that is, building them, owning them, and supplying their business needs, boycotting prisons on the demand side is a logical next step. Knowing that we cannot tell folks what not to do without also telling them what to do, how can we accomplish this reasonable, sensible, practical strategy, which will keep more of us out of prison and, at the same time, provide positive alternatives? Here’s my plan.

I have already had bumper stickers printed, by a Black owned company, of course. We are working with a group of young men who will establish their own business entity and sell the bumper stickers as well as T-shirts, buttons, and other “Boycott Prisons” paraphernalia. We will also create flyers to be distributed throughout the city, especially to the brothers on the streets. The flyers will have information relating to the history of the prison system, its social repercussions, and its economic benefits. Additionally, we will stress the importance of the legal side of business, employment, and ownership of income-producing assets.

If we can get Black people to boycott prisons for just one year, as Brother L. Nathan Hare suggested, we would make a tremendous economic statement, and maybe put a few brothers and sisters on a diversionary track, away from crime and prisons and toward positive activities for wealth-building. Are you willing to start a Boycott Prisons Campaign in your city? If so, get started right now.

It is up to us to free ourselves; no one else is going to do that for us. Can’t you see by just looking back in history that this country never intended for us to be free from creating profits for those who control the country? Is it so difficult to face the words of the 13^th Amendment? If slavery has not been completely and forever abolished, why would we continue to place ourselves in a position to be slaves again?

Did you see George Bush, as he went to “view” the Emancipation Proclamation on MLK Day? The subliminal suggestion and Bush’s outright statement that this document actually freed an enslaved people are totally ridiculous. If that document freed us, why was a 13^th Amendment necessary? It surely set the stage for further action on our behalf, but it did not free the so-called slaves. All you have to do is read it!

So how about it, brothers and sisters? Are you ready to start a Boycott Prisons Campaign in your city? No, it’s not a panacea, but it can help in our efforts to curtail crime and to lower the horrific numbers of Black men – and women, working in the prison industrial complex, making 50 cents an hour while corporations make billions in profits from their labor.

Boycott Prisons, for one year, and let’s see what happens. Don’t worry; prisons will always be there, just in case some of us want to become residents. But, for now, let’s stay out of the cells and get into sales – legitimate sales, that is.

Jim Clingman, described by networking guru, George Fraser, as a “thoughtful and pragmatic” speaker, is available for your event. Contact him at 513 489 4132 or by e-mail: jclingman@blackonomics.com

Speaking Truth to Power – 1000-mile Trek for African-Centered Education 07/01/09 by James Clingman

Blackonomics

By: James Clingman

1000-mile Trek for African-Centered Education 07/01/09

Do you have a cause for which you would walk 1000 to raise funds and awareness? Well, Brother Amefika Geuka does. Indeed he does. The Founder and former Headmaster of the Joseph Littles – Nguzo Saba Charter School (JL-NSCS) will begin walking from his hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C. on July 15, 2009.

Why? “To call the village to account,” Geuka says. “Black people must be responsible for and become the primary source of funding for the effective education and development for our children,” he continued. Upon arrival in the nation’s capital, Geuka will petition the President and the Department of Education to ‘acknowledge’ that children of African descent have a right and a need to an education rooted in their history, heritage, and culture.”

Geuka and his colleagues have dubbed this venture a “Trek for African-Centered Education,” to be conducted from July 15th through August 15, 2009. In addition to gaining credibility for African-centered education, the walk is expected to raise money to close the funding gap for Geuka’s Joseph Littles-NGUZO SABA Charter School which completed ten years of continuous operation on January 20th of this year. Overall coordination and planning for the walkathon has been contracted to iZania, LLC (www.izania.com) based in Columbus, Ohio.

Geuka states, “Both President Barack Obama and his Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan have spoken strongly in favor of public charter schools, which are designed to explore creative and innovative approaches to educating students who do not fare well in traditional public schools. The African-centered approach to providing a strong cultural foundation for children of African descent is being adopted across the country by school districts, public schools, private schools, and charter schools.”

Supporters of African-Centered Education draw parallels between the ‘ACE’ approach and the generally accepted contention by Jews and Catholics that their respective students learn best when their formal education is rooted in study and appreciation of their own heritage, history, and culture.

A self described “Practical Nationalist” and subscriber to Marcus Garvey’s tradition of self-help, Amefika Geuka has a history of getting things done. Yes, he is an excellent speaker; he can theorize and intellectualize with the best us. He is “articulate,” to borrow Joe Biden’s description of Obama, and Geuka is highly educated and intelligent. However, his commitment to doing the work necessary to promote, support, and uplift Black people far exceeds his rhetorical prowess. He puts his money where his mouth is and lets his actions definitely speak louder than his words.

Geuka has worked with the likes of Dr. Claud Anderson, Bob Law, Rosie Milligan, Tom Pope, Senghor Baye, Kweku Akan, and many other conscious brothers and sisters across this country and in Ghana, West Africa. His deeds are well known within the Nationalist Black Leadership Coalition, which he co-founded. The ACE Trek will be yet another effort of Black consciousness from which we can draw strength and commitment to continue our quest for economic empowerment.

Along the 1,011- mile route, there will be “surrogate walkers,” celebrities, sorority and fraternity members, high school and college students, honorees, and many others who want to assist in this valiant effort. The National Elder for the ACE Trek is none other than the 91-year young, Godfather of African Centered Education, Dr. Ed Robinson of Philadelphia. We hope to see Dr. Robinson in Washington, D.C. when Geuka arrives to make his recommendations to the Department of Education and the President’s representative; maybe President Barrack Obama will there; he certainly should be, considering the occasion.

To those of you who are spending your time espousing and musing about what “somebody” ought to do for Black people, take a lesson from Amefika Geuka, who has used his time on this earth to enhance the lives of Black youth as well as encourage and support the “seasoned” among us. We must take a greater role in the responsibility for our children and their education; we must teach them their heritage and help them understand that they are important – important enough for us to walk 1,000 miles on their behalf. We must also instruct and encourage them in entrepreneurship, in order to relieve them of the burden of dependency.

The ACE Trek is a “practical” solution being executed by a conscious Black man who “practices” what he preaches. The Trek is symbolic, but it is also very substantive. Its visibility will open the minds of many across this country, and it could be, with our help, one of the largest events in our recent history. It’s all up to us.

How can you help? Glad you asked. Of course you can donate funds to help Geuka along his 30-day trek. Your donations will also help the Joseph Littles School continue its mission of providing African Centered education. You can let others know, especially those on the east coast route from Florida and Georgia to the Carolinas, and into Virginia. Millions of us can get involved in this effort and millions of dollars can be raised if each one of us would do our part.

Get on board! Let Baba Geuka know that you will be there on the road with him. Please support this valiant effort for the proper education of our children. Go to www.izania.com or call 614-855-448 or 786-253-9496 to make a contribution.

Speaking Truth to Power – Comparing President Obama to Judge Clarence Thomas

It is damn ignant for someone to compare President Barack Obama to Judge Clarence Thomas. So how long has Thomas been on the bench and how long has Obama been President? Hell yes I voted for Obama and not just because he is black and I am not going to repeat all of the reasons why in this comment. However if you click on other categories you will see. I will hold Obama accounted for his actions this term and if I am not satisfied with him then I will choose to vote for or against him. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

—– Original Message —–

From: whirlwind@blackonomics.com

To: Whirlwind

Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 2:36 PM

Subject: [The WHIRLWIND] responses to Uncle Clarence article

Yeah Jim,
That same mantra of "Give the brother a break: He’ll change once he gets the seat on the court" was repeated for Otoma (excuse me I meant Obama).
The result is the same.

Ernest

"Give the brother a chance" can be dangerous to our health!
"Just because Obama has black skin doesn’t mean he has an African mind!  He may not be as bad a Clarence but what has he done to aid Africans in particular so far as he has for Gays? Our people need to see politicians for what they are and begin to do for themselves what others will never do for them! Wishful thinking?  It doesn’t have to be!"

"As a collective, many times our people have trouble distinguishing foes from friends.  Too often real enemies are embraced while true friends, and other who really have our best interest at heart are rejected!  This is just one more example!!"

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Speaking Truth to Power – Clarence Thomas breaks away again

—– Original Message —–

From: whirlwind@blackonomics.com

To: Whirlwind

Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 2:36 PM

Subject: [The WHIRLWIND] responses to Uncle Clarence article

News item from Robert Taylor:

Clarence Thomas breaks  away again, even from Scalia this time!  What a joke Daddy Bush played on us by appointing who he called, "the best person for the job" to the Supreme Court. He and old Barb must have a good laugh about this one every night.  And to think that Joe Biden and the others, who knew Thomas was poison, allowed him to be confirmed nevertheless.  In addition, the Black folks who caved in and said, "Give  the ‘Brother’ a break; he’ll change once he gets the seat on the Court, must be pulling their hair out.  What a joke!   Jim

The Voting Rights Act Survives Supreme Court Challenge; but Is Weakened Slightly

(Taylor Media Services) The Voting Rights Act of 1965, long considered one of the most significant pieces of legislation to emerge from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, survived a challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court last week. However, the unanimous ruling did slightly weaken the law.

At the heart of the Act is a provision – Section 5 – which requires states, counties and cities mostly in the South with a history of denying or undermining African American voting rights to “pre-clear” with the U.S. Justice Department any changes in their voting or election laws. However, many Southern municipalities have argued that voter discrimination against Blacks is a thing of the past and thus the law, specifically Section 5, is no longer needed.

President Johnson shakes hand of martin Luther king, Jr. after signing the 1965 Voting Rights Act

That was essentially the issue brought to the High Court last week by the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One of Austin, Texas. The Court’s ruling preserved the Voting Rights Act but allowed municipalities such as the one in Austin, Texas to in effect “opt out” of Section 5 supervision by proving that they have been free of voter discrimination for at least 10 years.

Since the current Supreme Court tends to lean conservative, many civil rights organizations had feared the justices would strike down Section 5 completely even though Congress had renewed it for another 25 years in 2006. Ironically, the only justice who voiced an opinion in favor of striking down Section 5 was the court’s only Black justice – the notoriously conservative Clarence Thomas.