Posted on 04/27/2002 8:04:28 PM PDT by greydog
DETROIT (AP) - Black leaders converged here Saturday for a town hall meeting in advance of an annual fund-raising dinner benefiting the NAACP that is billed as the largest of its kind.
Among those taking part were Democratic Reps. John Conyers and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, both of Michigan; Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick; the Rev. Al Sharpton; and attorney Johnnie Cochran.
The conversation grew heated on topics of slavery reparations and whether former President Clinton was good or bad for blacks.
"He exploited black sentiment because he knew the rituals of black culture," said Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of religious studies at DePaul University. "Bill Clinton exploited us like no president before him."
Conyers encouraged the crowd to take action if they want to see change: "You've got to do something to make your community a better place to live and work."
The weekend's activities culminate in the fund-raiser Sunday night for the Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund dinner usually draws about 10,000 people.
Sounds like somebody is starting to wise up.
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