Posted on 11/17/2008 11:30:44 AM PST by mdittmar
NEW ORLEANS -- To Marc Lamont Hill, the election of Barack Obama proves black America can reach a goal once considered unattainable, but it doesn't end the fight on such issues as education reform, job creation and fair wages _ a focus of a State of the Black World Conference opening in New Orleans this week.
"Barack Obama is not going to change everything. But what he can do is be an ally, rather than an enemy to our struggle the way George Bush has for the last eight years," said Hill, an assistant professor of urban education and American studies at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Hill is among hundreds of black leaders expected in New Orleans for the conference, organized by the Institute of the Black World 21st Century.
The goal of the gathering is to devise policy initiatives that can be promoted nationally, from improving education to bringing parity in drug sentencing and cracking down on inner-city gun violence. They also want to capitalize on grassroots energy generated by Obama's election to push for more change in local communities.
Hill noted issues ranging from expansion of a living wage to strides in unionization and reaffirming a commitment to public education where he believes Bush has let urban, black and working-class communities down.
"Millions of people marched on ballot boxes because they had hope," said Ron Daniels, president of the institute. "Now, we want to translate that hope into tangible policies which will advance the interests of not only black people, (but also) Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and poor and working people in the middle class."
The conference, which opens Wednesday, will seek the viewpoints of veteran civil rights leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and up-and-coming leaders like Hill and Veronica Conway. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is expected to speak Sunday, the final day of the conference.
Conway, a career and life coach in northern California, said Obama's election left a "profound imprint" on the nation and opened up new possibilities. She likened it to the running of the first 4-minute mile.
"I think that the issue of race has always been very polarizing (but) I think it's becoming less so," said Conway, 41. "I think black's becoming the new white, like, it's kind of cool to be black now."
However, she plans to issue a call to action during the conference.
"I think, very often at black conferences, we talk about our issues ad nauseum. We don't leave with any action accountability," she said. "That's not good enough anymore, business as usual in the black world."
She said there must be an end to blacks' historical assumption they are victims, and moves to act progressively without "permission from the dominant culture."
Obama's election also marked a "moment of redemption for white people, quite frankly," she said.
"A lot of people were very relieved. There's something that got healed, I think, in this moment," she said.
Obama's win, the breaking of that barrier, also provided youth _ who often see hiphop stars as powerful _ with an alternative image of a strong man, she said.
Bringing in the younger generation, whose texting and YouTube ways of communicating are in contrast with traditional mass marches of civil rights advocates, will be key to continue making strides in pushing for change, Conway and others say.
Hill, 29, who considers the 67-year-old Jackson a friend and mentor, said having an intergenerational dialogue _ learning from veteran leaders, understanding what they accomplished and what they endured _ is critical.
"In the history of America, I would argue, there's never been a battle that we've fought for that we didn't win, and there's never been any social victory, or any victory, that we didn't fight for," he said. "So, fighting's not only desireable, it's necessary. It's our obligation, and when you understand it as an obligation to our ancestors and to our children, it keeps you going."
Hmmm any chance this ‘change’ includes shutting the hell up?
I. for one. didn’t feel the need for redemption, so I voted for the white guy—LOL!
OMG - George Bush was an enemy to their struggle?!!?? These ungrateful freaks....
There is another class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs—partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs…
There is a certain class of race-problem solvers who do not want the patient to get well, because as long as the disease holds out they have not only an easy means of making a living, but also an easy medium through which to make themselves prominent before the public.
-Booker T. Washington
So, when and where is the White World Conference being held? I could only imagine the hatred if there was such a conference.
Very true, plus they know it will start a new level of hate among a certain group of white race baiters...keeping them both in business for a very long time.
Not a chance. Also, any chance they’re holding this in New Orleans in an attempt to begin neutralizing Jindal as early as possible? (Or neutering, if Jesse “Nuts” Jackson has his way.)
That’s a great quote! Thank-you for posting.
“In the history of America, I would argue, there’s never been a battle that we’ve fought for that we didn’t win, and there’s never been any social victory, or any victory, that we didn’t fight for,” he said.
Does that include fighting for the right to kill the unborn? For gay rights and same-sex marriage?
Nobody has supported those “rights” more than the black caucus.
And who elected the black caucus?
Who’s racist, exactly? You never hear of the NAAWP, the White Action Network, WET, etc. Any congregation of more than two white men is considered a KKK meeting. I thought that electing BHO POS was supposed to vindicate those of us who are not black, hispanic, asian, etc. A guy at work today said that at his second job in a Native American casino, he mentioned something about BHO’s daughters getting a black dog for the WH, someone complained that it was racist! I’m not racist, but I will call ‘em like I see ‘em and if someone doesn’t like it, tough. But for a large group of black men to get together to plan the future of this country based on racial divides is illegal and unconstitutional.
What productive part in society does a "life coach" play?
I’ve absolutely no idea. Perhaps someone (the coach) to tell a person how to life, when to breath, how to dress, where to live, etc. ........... sounds like something/someone a metro-male would deem beneficial.
Who cares? Let’s have one anyway. If we have the name, we might as well play the game, every other identity group is doing it.
It will never end until the “minorities” either outnumber and can take what whites have produced and created by force, or until they have enough power by way of affirmative action to take it in spite of the numbers, whichever comes first. Then the whole US can become a Detroit, or a Haiti, or a Zimbabwe.
http://www.ibw21.org/savethedateSBWC.html
Here is the link to the sign up site for the conference. It won’t allow for copy and paste of text. Especially read the left sidebar, as it explains how white supremacism and racism has caused all their troubles, including Hurricane Katrina! Amazing!
It just hit me- the perpetual victimhood- why wouldn’t a little “reverse psychology” work on the whining parasites?
i.e.- You are black. You were once held as slaves in this country. That happened and it can never be undone. For the rest of time every generation will never be anything more than the people who used to be slaves. Nothing will change for you. Ever.
Some will say- ‘huh. Guess you’re right. might as well get over it.”
Others (the more responsible and independent) will say “I refuse to accept that. I know I can rise above this. I will not let the past define my future.” And off they go to become responsible productive adults.
Of course the most responsible and independent amongst them have already done this.
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