You have heard of ‘The Symposium’, now witness ‘The Dialogue’!
revcsolomon
Tavis and other black leaders who have been repudiated by America's black Janjaweed are about to be restored to prominence by Senator Obama himself (as he continues to practice the politics of appeasement and recapitulation). Many blacks that have proven that they are not politically astute are beginning to see the light. Obama could have made a great President in about 4 years, however, he ignored protocol, jumped the gun and is currently making a fool out of himself & his followers!
westthea)
Rev, are you one who believed the propaganda about the "Janjaweed" being "Arab"?
Obama will be president in about 4 months, not 4 years. Recall the song, "everybody plays the fool..... sometime"? We must be careful that today is not our time.
revcsolomon)
I would recommend that some of you be more analytical and rational, and less emotional and emotive. Answer this question: Why is it that Senator Obama supports AIPACs revolution, however, he has distanced himself from Minister Farrakhan and Civil Rights baggage, and has little to say about black America and other 3-rd world nations and their revolutions? And before you call me uncle Tom, just remember that you are supporting a Scotch-Irish African, which would make you at least a half-a-Tom!
westthea
Don't think for a moment that AIPAC is going to get much of what they heard in the speech. Scotch-Irish African...... nonsense, there are lots of Blacks in America who are _____, ______, _______ African. Ones genetic makeup is not what makes one a "Tom".
revcsolomon
Obama may become the next President according to Westhea, however, it will not be a new day. He has been for the past year practicing the politics of appeasement and recapitulation. The more things change, the more they will remain the same under an Obama Presidency. So far, he hasn't stood up = he keeps backing down - politics as usual folks!
westthea (4 days ago
Politics is what it is. Some politicians are good and do not allow the most rabid form of "many tricks", i.e., politics to rule. He certainly have stood up and he will continue to grow.
Lastly, it is good that major news anchors are traveling with him on his foreign trip. This is the preferred way of assassinating such a rising figurehead as Obama, i.e., plane crashes with military. Lots of big people go down in media, firestorm of questions and investigations.
win1sune
Dude? I'm Black, Male and Voting for Obama...
But I see NOTHING wrong with Tavis Smiley raising questions and demanding more from we as American Citizens as well as Barack Obama himself. If Barack can do that to "Black Males in the U.S.", why can't Tavis (or any of us) do it to him? I'm sick of trying to have intelligent conversations about Obama with other Blacks and not being allowed to raise valid questions or concerns. They will fight you for just suggesting that he should be watched!
westthea (4 days ago
There is a right and wrong way to do what you are referencing with regards to Tavis. There is a right and wrong timing for saying or doing a thing. Tavis's timing was wrong and his motives were wrong. I'm sure he knows that now. We still love him and look forward to him doing greater things.
Yes, Obama should be watched but not "crabized". We must work towards keeping him balanced but in a smart way and at the right time.
revcsolomon
Janjaweed: Westhea, you are being disingenuous, your relativist spatter with respect to Tavis having spoken at the wrong times is light-hearted and insincere. What do you say to all of those who say that it wasn't Obama's time to run? Just like the Bush Campaign once augured, you seem to believe that Obama's campaign was divinely ordered. Neither man is or was qualified to be President. Obama could be ready in four more years if he would 'get in the real world', humble himself & be taught!
westthea
One cannot be taught how to be president of America. You will be very pleased with the job Obama is going to do as president.
I say it is Obama's time. There is none who can change that or turn it back. Neither was their any who could change the certainty of Bush's two terms. It laid the groundwork for a need for someone such as Obama. Things are more interconnected than people can imagine.
revcsolomon
A great legacy i.e., Frederick Douglass...W.E.B. DuBois.... Booker T. Washington.... Charles E. Johnson....Dr. Martin Luther King.... and all in between. Now we witness the end of the golden age of astute black male leadership; It ends with Obama. Obama wants to preside over and export the white man's system of white supremacy. He chooses AIPAC over HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, CUBA, VENEZUELA, IRAN, IRAQ. Senator Obama is the wrong man by any standard. He has repudiated all that is black - to win!
westthea
Rev, stop being extreme with your conclusions.
revcsolomon
Obama rebukes blacks, but never whites, Israel, white supremacy...! Black Americans wake up. You are supporting Obama en masse. The same whites who are supporting Obama because he rejects you and all that you hold dear, have not and will not accept you or other Third World People!
westthea
"Bitter", gun loving, rural, entrapped by religion is hardly something one can conclude as a non rebuke of whites.
Obama is saying the right things as relates to Blacks and you know it. Blacks will vote for Obama in November en masse. Blacks after November will hold Obama accountable en masse.
revcsolomon
Obama has 'turned to the White': Consider his lack of support or turning on the following: Wife's comments of being proud..., Wasted troops in Iraq, Gun toting religious-marginalized, His pastor & the black (our historical institution) church, NAFTA, AIPAC & Jerusalem & their revolution over Farrakhan & 3rd world people, The Iraq troop pull out, Public Financing, Discussions w world leaders, Citizen ownership of guns & DC Ban, Campaign Finance and finally regrets having his ethnic family on TV.
revcsolomon
There are extreme issues that this neophyte is not prepared to face. Consider his negotiation skills. On every subject that matters, see my previous post, he has lost or backed down. If he can't stand up to the footmen in his own party, what will he do when the Calvary comes. He is not prepared to face the EXTREME issues that have been neglected for 232 plus years now. He has succeeded in one thing that pleases Republicans, stop the Clintons & a white man's black man trumping black leaders!
westthea
Regrettably, many black leaders over the last 35 years have failed. Jesse Jackson's sins are flying back in his face in a very public way. The new generation is Obama, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and others. Yes, Joshua......
revcsolomon
Westhea, You are indeed a loyalist who is going down with a sinking ship. Obama at the beginning of the campaign is not the Obama that is running now. That blacks will vote en masses means nothing, they also voted en masse for Joe Lieberman, GW Bush and Ronald Reagan in the past. They don't realize yet that whites are accepting Scotch-Irish & African Obama, not blacks or their values. And regarding the plane trip, it will swerve to the right when the pilot navigates left - someone said!
westthea
Going down with a sinking ship? Is that to say that Obama will not defeat McCain? As I have said all along, Obama shall be the next president of the U.S.
Even with the planes, none can destroy or remove what has been destined. Even now Israel claims that Obama's security in the area will be a "nightmare". Many of them hate Obama.
revcsolomon (
No, its far greater than that, Obama's ship is sinking even if he reaches the shore. Senator Obama is not radical enough. He will be as effective a President as Mandela was with Botha and DeKlerk ... controlling the real power in South Africa. So far he has shown himself to be extremely malleable; he hasn't won a fight yet. I can just see Jo Biden all up in his face, and undermining his authority, as he and the other powerbrokers look down on the ruddy kid 'who would be President'.
westthea
How effective he will be with the old heads, the status quo personalities remains to be seen. I'm sure he will be strong and resolute.
Tavis will be speaking in October in Seattle but I am scheduled to be out of the country at that time, otherwise, I would be present.
revcsolomon
win1, The American black Janjaweed does not tolerate dissent or critical analysis. Our people have waited so long for a black Messiah, that they will settle for a Scotch-Irish/African one; a man that all they know about him is that he appears to be black. I weep for my people and the disappointment that they will experience, if he becomes America's 1st black leader. It will be similar to what S. Africans experienced w noble Mandela and Mbeki. The structural problems still exist.
westthea
Yes, the structural problems must be addressed but most of that involves us. You probably have supported Jesse Jackson strongly, yet, he too is of mixed ethnicity. Do you have a problem with that?
revcsolomon
No, and I don't have a problem with Senator Obama's mixed ethnicity, I have defended it. I'm simply looking for the best, most-qualified, skilled and caring person who will stand up and do the job. Jesse was right, that the Senator whips on blacks (message true or not), however, yet he is far more reserved on the white side of town - just consider all that they need to be chastised for, just consider Farrakhan. At the DC March he got on blacks, but he doesn't spare whites like Obama does!
westthea
Rev, if you do not have a problem with his mixed heritage, why do you repeat it? Jesse needs to be whipped on with regards to some things and those who are like him.
Farrakhan is not Obama and has stated such. It was he who stated that Obama is a politician and that he hoped Obama would remain fresh and not become corrupted like many other politicians. We have a job to do to assure that this does not happen.
westthea
I can assure you that some of the ugly deeds yet perpetrated against blacks by whites in government and corporations are not going to go unanswered. HIV/AIDS is at the top of that list. Note this week that the Senate voted to allow visitors with HIV/AIDS to enter the U.S. I mentioned this in my last analysis on this channel, "Source of Strength as Attack Zone", Part 1 & 2.
revcsolomon
To Westhea's readers (I am one of them), he is one of the most erudite writers that I have read on YouTube. That we disagree on major points does not reflect on my respect for the man. We are in 100% agreement in many areas. We simply do not agree on the Obama Phenomenon. The generational gap, not just in America, is attempting to change the world. Many pf the changes being pursued will leave America just as it has been-white supremacist, but with a black leader presiding over the morass!
westthea
Rev, as always, I appreciate your input and even your concern. However, I have great faith in my ability and the ability of others to assure that Obama does not change with the tide but be the counter tide that balance out the ships riding upon this sea.
Now in America's darkest hour, it us who must lead it through. Obama will be that leader. Also, Israel has already indicated Obama coming to the area is a security nightmare.
revcsolomon
You have something in common with most of the ardent Obama supporters that I have come in contact with, and ironically, I end up saying the same thing to them that I will say to you. I could only wish that he was as strong and as resolute as his supporters happen to be; and who knows for sure perhaps he is as strong and stronger. All of you seem to believe that he is doing what he is doing in order to get elected. I simply hope that you are all correct - for there is much to be righted!
westthea
Yes, there is much that need to be made straight but it cannot be done if the status quo continues.
We will make certain that Obama is strong and fight for what is best for the people of America, including redressing some critical issues. The last thing he would want is our legitimate wrath. He would have to hear it from his wife and his brother-in-law.
revcsolomon
You have expressed my concern in a better fashion than I have, Senator Obama more and more, 'is status quo'. He has abandoned his original message, he isn't considered a change agent by anyone anymore. It should be obvious by now why the Republicans were far more afraid of Senator Clinton; she would have brought worldwide as well as national power-backing to reify her positions. He only has the good-will of liberal supporters who will turn at the drop of a hat; he keeps capitulating!
westthea
Rev, you know that I will not go backwards and entertain the bemoaning of Hillary Clinton losing. Turning is all a part of change. Had we seen this characteristic in George Bush, America would be in a different financial situation. I expect Obama to change, to flip, to flop. However, at the end of the day I expect him to be where he needs to be.
revcsolomon
My point with regard to Hillary is simply this, how come they feared the Clintons? The fact is that whites, even conservative whites, do not fear Senator Obama other than for what they believe might turn out to be a lack of experience and ineptitude, which would place them, their wealth and their standing in the world at risk. They are so comfortable with Obama, knowing that nothing will change, that they are still not coming out in droves to support Senator McCain.
westthea
Rev, you should look at the financial calamity happening around you. Whites hardly fear what Obama is going to do to their wealth because that wealth is already going up in vapor. They want him because it has disappeared. Your logic on this is exactly the opposite of mine and I'm certain that I am correct. It was under the Clintons that Go Global became the big thing. What was it? It was the taking of wealth to Europe.
revcsolomon
And recently Senator Obama reversed himself, politically, with regard to NAFTA, reprising what B. Clinton did. I bet GATT and CAFTA are soon to follow, The love of money is "a" root of evil, I won't say the root of all evil - I don't believe that. Yet, whites love their residual capital. Perhaps you are correct, and they believe that Senator Obama will make money for them as Clinton did years ago when he raised taxes to balance the books. In the end it worked, the books were balanced.
westthea
Rev, change is constant and that is Obama. He has the capacity to do that, McCain don't.
White America is looking for someone to save them. They're in very, very serious trouble. I stated in 1989 that America would elect its first black president when it becomes financially broke with no answers on how to move forward. Even today Sen. Carl Levin is going after Swiss banks. That has never happened. It's desperation.....
revcsolomon
He should have garnered national & international power first, then run for office. Instead he is relying on an unreliable white-liberal reed, one that has grown out of a generation of liberal whites who believes that it is cool for liberal whites to hang with white-leaning blacks. We witness the same with our black pastored mega multi-cultural congregations. Who gives up the most in these liberal experiments, we do? He has been called aside numerous times already and each time capitulated!
westthea
If you venture off of this particular thread, you will discover that I have taken Obama to task on a number of things. You will also notice that Obama has been pulled back into the pocket on some of these issues. There is a wrong and a right way to do this.
revcsolomon
Not Worried: A decade ago, I was at a reception at the Shoreham in DC, after a week of caucusing and meetings. After a few drinks the men were after the women delegates. A group of ladies asked to stay around me for security & protection, knowing that no one would misbehave in front of the Rev. Of course I complied, afterward I wasn't sure if I should be flattered or not, I had an ego. Should it concern Senator Obama that the other side is not concerned over any changes that he would make?
westthea
Reply
Rev, LOL.......
The other side is very concerned with Obama, especially the Zionists. The American people are more concerned with what has already happened with their money, their wealth, their property. This is why Obama will win by a landslide.
revcsolomon
One of the problems that besets our cultural group is the tendency to dispense with icons. Should the Reverend be chastised? He was chastised even by his own son. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Buppie/X generation wants to toss aside, wholesale, men like Tavis even, and Reverend Jackson who has worked tirelessly to change their social conditions. Will Senator Obama soon be considered old school? Has the current generation considered footsteps that are coming from behind?
westthea
Rev, these personalities have not been tossed aside. They have been sent a message to show better judgment. Rev. Sharpton was on point with regards to Rev. Jackson. Rev. Jackson continues to screwup and his son knows it. Jesse must hush or he will continue to hurt his legacy. Rev. Jackson put on public display gross hypocrisy. The blame is his alone.
No, Obama is going to be around and the most popular president in America's history.
revcsolomon
I am pleased to hear that you and others are holding the Senator's foot to the fire. I would like to say, keep him on message - but you know yourself that the message has become ostensibly blurred. The public perception is that he is being drifting towards the abyss, after having been carried there by the waves of compromise and tossed by the boughs of political discontent. If he becomes President, all I care about is that he will stand up for what is right, not who is right or has the power!
westthea
There will be some give and take, however, when it's on the line, Obama will be where he needs to be. The public perception is what the major media paints. If there was as much drift as they claim, Obama would not still be leading McCain by 6 points. That lead is going to move into double digits after he returns from the foreign trips.
My message to Obama has been and remains - you do not have to capitulate too much, you already have the majority of the people.
revcsolomon
Overconfidence? What about the historical 4 to 5 point margin of error? It would suggest that Obama leads McCain by 2 percentage points, and we know that 90 days ago, the gap was much wider. Karl Rove and others have concluded that this represents a boon for McCain, for like Senator Clinton did, he is catching up in the stretch. Hillary ran out of track, or she would have overtaken Obama. The question is, why has McCain caught up and what does it portend? The Osama/Obama caricature will hurt!
westthea
Obama has been coasting since defeating Hillary. The 6 points will increase to 15 points in two months.
The gap was wider because of the normal bump related to winning the nomination and it is normal for it to settle back down.
Osama/Obama is played out, it will not work. Karl Rove is an idiot and only looked smart because Bush was such an arch-idiot. Obama shall win by a landslide, you will then know that Rove is an idiot.
revcsolomon
Karl Rove aside, and I am in agreement with your characterization. Having said that, aren't you placing too much confidence in the fickled American voter. If the other side can instill/engender just a little more white fear into the masses, many of America's voters will shift wholesale back 'to the white' regardless of bell curves, analysis and any other political probabilities!
westthea
There is no amount of fear that can outdo what has already been instilled. People are losing their money and they know Black people had nothing to do with it. They know it was people who look just like them. When Carl Levin tells UBS, the big Swiss bank to stop hiding the billions of dollars that about 19,000 Americans hide their, UBS says we will stop doing business in America. The house is on fire and they want the true Olympus; the true Samson; the true Hercules.
westthea
The fear is where their hearts are and their hearts are with their money which is going up in vapor.
revcsolomon
You are correct that some whites know that they are in trouble, but they are not as self-effacing as you have implied. If you consider the history of this nation, it is a fact that Africans are responsible for white wealth and capital.
I suppose that if it takes an African servant President to retain wealth for them 230 years later, that they would endorse one for that reason. The question then is, does this constitute a new form of African slavery? Ah, slaves again!
westthea
Rev, few understand why suddenly the International Criminal Court wants Omar al-Bashir of Sudan arrested and how it is that Britain and the U.S. got slammed by Russia and China with regards to the veto of UN sanctions against Zimbabwe. Africa is playing a central part in the decline of the Dollar and loss of America's wealth. Corporations think they can use Obama to win back that favor with Africa at China's expense.
revcsolomon
I was reflecting on this UN sanction debacle, wondering just how Senator Obama would have handled the matter if he were President. John Bolton is history, but still, for all intent and purposes the USA controls the U.N. Security Council and of the 193 nations represented, we have troops/advisors in most of them. I hope that you will appreciate that until Obama shows some moxy, that some astute political observers are extremely concerned that he does not show what it takes when it matters!
westthea
Concerns are noted.
U.S. and Britain certainly did not get what they wanted with the vote for UN sanctions against Zimbabwe.
revcsolomon
And I was pleased, for how dare a nation that invaded and is still occupying a once sovereign nation, with the former aid of another satrap nation, dare complain about Mugabe and Zimbabwe. If anything, the UN, should have passed resolutions against the USA, Britain and 'the Cotillion of the Willing', pun intended, long ago. Kofi, blew it at the time.
westthea
Well stated.
westthea
Obama is not going to Oblige them without something in return for Black America, Africa and the African Diaspora. This is our day.
Many of the Ashkenazim hate Obama because of the African angle, i.e., the great abundance of the continent and how Obama will bring Black wealth and Black resources together. The Ashkenazim and Sephardim stand to lose the most.
revcsolomon
There is a lot at stake in the worldwide global macro-economic village. And most are not up to speed with respect to English involvement dating back to the Treaty at Versailles, and colonialist sub-division of the African Continent. I understand African concerns for just like me, they are waiting for Obama to show us something, anything but capitulation. Is he asking us to simply have faith? Where are his worldwide connections? What power backs up the discourse? We want a new world order!
revsolomonc
Trending? Most Presidential administrations upon being installed in DC have historically blamed the previous one for America's shortcomings at the time. The Senator may be the benefactor 'a priori' of a new trend, if he were to be elected President. He might end up taking the fall for the economic crisis in America, if he cannot turn the economy around quickly enough! On the other hand if he can turn it around as Bill Clinton did following Bush 41, he will be looked upon as a hero by some!
westthea
I am looking forward to the challenge. This is our time to show what we can do. The financial crisis is like nothing America has ever seen. Their own have ripped them off, forcing whites to experience what most blacks have gone through for so long in America. This is it........
revcsolomon
It is a noble vision, and one that is manageable if given the opportunity to do so, however, we still do not control the majority of American corporations, the stock market, investment banking & investment power, commerce, fiduciaries...in short the material wealth of this nation is still 'consentrated' (new word) in the hands of the few. And if the latter were to disagree (and would not give their consent) even with government/executive policy or orders, they could shut this nation down!
revcsolomon
Hagel once wrote, ownership of property and the pursuit of power through class struggle is a primary cause of man's inhumanity to man. An essential problem over the span of America's existence, has been the onerous and undeniable problem of greed. Greed (search for Trade Routes) was and is responsible for slavery, land-confiscation, indentured servanthood, exorbitant costs in housing, healthcare, energy, pharma, food, transp,education, unemployment, unfair wages & American hegemony abroad...!
westthea
Yes, America's history is steeped in greed and more greed.
revcsolomon
..with respect to greed, it is not confined to one class. Americans at all levels are greedy (and like today's Asian citizen too many Americans hope to get rich). What American economists like Freedman, Sowell & others have to say often amazes me. Many economists have said that there is nothing wrong with greed, ignoring the fact that greed also results in a disproportionate share of the booty and bounty being divided up among the few! Remember the Bolshevik Revolution or Robespierre? Hmm!
westthea
Yes, greed is at every class level in America. However, the greatest damage is caused by the ruling socioeconomic class because it is that class that encourages greed. Otherwise, they could not acquire immense wealth as a result of those who consume which are, predominantly, the lower classes.
Revolution? That's why the Bush Administration has changed the laws to allow more power to do things that laws did not permit them to do in the past.
revcsolomon
If the United States government were to assist in providing health insurance for uninsured Americans(similar to Phil Gramm and other legislators & officials), while ignoring the raison d'etre - lack of affordability (which is the real problem), what will have been accomplished? During the next iteration of price/premium increases, the unintended consequences will still be present? We need to address causal factors, not just symptomolgy; and neither of the two are being addressed at this time!
westthea
We must leap frog and utilize the wealth we do have and leverage it into the strategic industries of Africa with progressive returns to black communities in the U.S. Government's role with pressure from the people will be to assure that tariffs and other impediments are not in the way of this trade. This is the only sustainable way of addressing "affordability".
Black churches in US collect $2 billion each month. Imagine 20% towards investment.
revcsolomon
Forging an east-west alliance!
It was disheartening to witness an exchange that took place between a group of visiting Americans and the Senegalese. During a recently televised docudrama, a group of Americans, about 35 or 40 of them, were told by the natives that they could not understand why black Americans lament their ancestors having been enslaved by the colonial powers. Some opined that they wished that either their ancestors or them had been chosen/enslaved. Can the 'twain meet?
westthea
Rev, there is enough stupidity and ignorance to go around. It is a fool who cannot see that colonialism in Africa was every bit as damaging to the African psyche as was slavery. Apparently, they were involved in distractive conversation.
Africa looks to the African Americans as the biggest source of leadership but respectful leadership.
revcsolomon
I agree in part, but how long can we continue to deny that the primary reason for the failure of our people to rise on the African continent as well as in the Americas and elsewhere, is directly attributable to black male leadership? Dating back to antiquity, black males have been mostly in charge, rarely females. We have enjoyed some successes, but often there have been too many failures. What is wrong with the black male leadership model? How come we haven't overcome our foes, or selves?
westthea
It's not about black male leadership. The first and greatest teacher of that male is usually a woman. Should we indict her for what is, presumed, the ineptitude of the black male? I think not. This is about us, black male, female and child. It is us who must make this happen.
revcsolomon
But isn't it part and parcel of Obama's praxis an insistence on a belief in coalition building. Does he truly believe in 'no one being left behind'! How can he then justify leap-frogging over America's current black leadership?
westthea
It's a question of who is the "current black leadership"? Certainly, we have Congressman Jesse Jackson, Harold Ford Jr. and a host of other old and young political and activist leaders. As you know, much of the leadership strongly back Obama, not Andrew Young or Jesse Jackson at this point in time. There is respect for the leadership of the past and that which is in its twilight. This must not be the consumer of creative energies. Let's get busy.
revcsolomon
I loosely subscribe to that theorem, but more and more I am observing that greed is evenly distributed among the classes, the notable difference being that it is more pronounced among those who have got versus those who have not. I wonder what Maslow or de Tocqueville would write if they could observe what is going on in the great democratic experiment in America today. There should not only be a redistribution of wealth but the necessary controls along with it! American greed conditioning!
westthea
Wealth is constantly be redistributed but it is usually between the wealthy. As wealth leaves America, the wealthy class grows in Europe. Both feed upon the labor masses.
Wealth is labor. Imagine if Blacks who work for government each contributed $30 each month to an investment fund solely for the most strategic industries of Africa. Let's assume 1 million work for government. That's $30mil each mth.
revcsolomon
Minister Farrakhan floated a similar idea during Atonement day in DC a couple of decades ago. Libyan leader Khadafy offered to kick in a billion. Creating an economic enterprise zone with investment potential is an excellent idea, however, the ideas has been around for awhile. Wouldn't it make sense to jumpstart it by approaching Simmons, PuffDaddy..., our wealthy athletes... and entrepreneurs, followed by rank & file investing-just as you folks are doing in order to fund the Obama campaign?
westthea
The Obama campaign is a good model. Driving force behind it is Change and Trust. Mine is UKT (Understanding, Knowledge and Trust).
The problem with Farrakhan's was religion. So many could not get past religion. Many Christians were not onboard because it was coming from an Islamic leader. The opposite would be true if a Christian leader proposed it. This is where the development of UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE comes in. It moves you past the dogma of religion.
westthea
If Simmons and PuffDaddy cannot involve the black masses in investment as oppose to just purchasing their products, they are short changing the situation instead of maximizing it. Purchasing their products enriches them while maintaining the "black spending habits" of rabid consumerism.
If they move to a consumer/investment model without gimmicks whereby a set percentage goes towards strategic African industry with returns to purchasers of the product then that would be best model.
revcsolomon
Both gentleman have been showing up lately at CBC Legislative Conferences in DC. In addition to the latter, both gentleman have been playing a more proactive role in the election process. Isn't it time to approach them as well as other black American icons (even Bob Johnson) and to get them on board? I am still talking about coalition building, a plank in the Obama election campaign. Clarence Jones spoke recently at Stanford and black entrepreneurs came out of the woodwork... it's time!
westthea
Yes, it is that time but with hard and solid rules. The Black Ego must be in check. Next year I plan to attend one of the CBC meetings.
revcsolomon
Great, for CBC Conferences are truly worthwhile, and as it sounds like you are already doing, you will be exposed to and interacting with blacks from all other the world (to include representatives from the nations in Africa, as well as Central and South America)!
revcsolomon
Clearly neither Mr. Bush nor his contretemps/cabal have any respect for domestic or international law. The abuse of Executive privilege is all that mattered, and they hid behind it. Repeating Moe, Larry and Curly (Bush, Rumsfool and Cheney), they were known to say: I care about my base; I don't care what the NSA, CIA Director or allies think (Old Europe) have to say; I don't care about what the American people have to say; neither would I respond to a Congressional subpoena. Cosa Nostra...!
westthea
Rev, I assure you, in the coming years, they will care, when what they have done becomes public knowledge. They will likely be prisoners within their own homes.
revcsolomon (
I am not against seize the day or the moment, however, I also subscribe to 'plan the work and then 'work the plan'. At what level, how long and where has the strategic planning taken place? Good planning prevents recklessness from trumping a good idea. I often write and preach about American Capitalist Church Syndrome! You alluded to getting black churches to invest in something other than bling bling, that would give new meaning to the phrase faith-based initiative, if that were to occur.
revcsolomon
If wise minds were to come up with an inclusive economic model in which anyone could participate, in order to raise the economic status of all human beings-it couldn't be a purely western capitalist model. There would have to be strictly enforced controls put in place. Have you considered other models, e.g., Democratic Socialism? I believe that there is a sufficient amount of wealth (unequally distributed) that would provide all 6.5B of us a top of the pyramid Maslow, standard of living today!
westthea
My concern is first with the "black masses". Once we get much of this resolved, it will go a long ways in addressing the plight of others.
The real power is LABOR. Government and corporations know this and is why they are constantly trying to legislate their way to getting a bigger slice of labor's earnings via 401Ks, and other retirement types of accounts. Even came after social security, attempting to privatize.
revcsolomon
I am not getting your point with regard to Labor, has Jimmy Hoffa been found? I subscribe to Jeremiah's and Minister Farrakhan’s conclusion, i.e., to root out, pull down, destroy, throw down, build and to plant - or as Minister Farrakhan opined at the State of the BU, that sometimes you have to let the house burn down then build again. I suspect that the most prudent thing to do is to erect a completely new model. Derrick Bell warned, "...if you keep doing what you've been doing doing ...".
westthea
The real power is LABOR. Think about it. What is the biggest funding source of government? What is the source of much of the capitalization of corporations? The answer is LABOR. Where does the $2 billion come from each month in the Black church? Again, LABOR. Someone is contributing funds from their labor or someone else's labor. This is why corporations fear it, unless they control a portion of it (401Ks).
westthea
Rev, I will not be nebulous about any of the "isms". Straight up, the power is in the COLLECTIVE. If I have the people and if a good number of them earn money, and if each one contributes towards a strategic industry that is guaranteed to buildup their community, mountains are moved. It's simple and is all about the numbers with UKT.
revcsolomon
Perhaps somewhat oversimplified, however, your rationale is correct I suspect. However, in practice, oftentimes collectives don't work, and there are reasons for that. You mentioned, I believe, the most important ingredient before, and that is the matter of trust. We are not airing our dirty laundry in public, but you and I know that there are historical issues of mistrust that remain in our communities. These issues have not been dealt, consider black banks Guaranty Bank of Chicago?
westthea
In order for anyone to participate in investment targeted at the most strategic industries of Africa, it would require a grassroots effort. With blacks, I suggest beginning with key organizations such as Blacks In Government and other Black professional organizations. If you change the economic relationship between the Africans and African Diaspora people, this will change the vast distribution of wealth to a dwindling few.
revcsolomon
And don't forget the nation's 100 black men organizations, Woodson's and every other chapter in the nation! One of the pre-saged failures that I recognized and raised with the Nation (at the Black Expo in Oakland prior to the First Million Man March), was that they would not be creating a nationwide database at the March that included the names of the attendees. They apparently lacked the bandwidth, however, we cannot repeat that kind of mistake again!
revcsolomon
I offend blacks when I raise this issue, however, just as we often appraise the success and failures of white male leadership, we are going to have to make a similar assessment and determine what are the internal causes for the historical successes and failure(s) of black male leadership. So let's not play the blame game for most black societies, past and present, have been led by patriarchs. Even when we have land and other resources, we come up short! Females thrive in male-assigned roles!
revcsolomon
With regard to females past and present, based on everything that I have read and seen, females represent 'the success model in the black community'. They carry the fetus, raise kids to maturation, find food, water and shelter (70% of black homes today headed by females), they are our community organizers - even Rosa & other females are responsible for the success of the Civil Rights Movement. We cannot player-hate them, there is an apparent vacuum alright, but it points to us 'the heads!
revcsolomon
I sat, listened and observed Oprah at Stanford's Commencement exercise a month ago. It occurred to me that females won in every category - the past primary election. Oprah, Obama's mom and wife were responsible for Obama's success. Hillary won the popular vote. Condi, Secty. of State; Nancy Pelosi (Spkr of the House)..Supreme Court...! Women are standing up all over the world & throwing off backward male rulership. In 2012, Benazir Bhutto's in majoritarian societies all over will wrest power!
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Addenda: There is a need for more of this kind of a dialog, I believer, to take place in the black community. We are not a monolithic community – and hopefully all opinions will be given their due airing!
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