Filed under: BlackSpin , Politics , News

Well it hasn't exactly been a very good year for black politicians who find themselves in trouble.

Voters and prosecutors seem to have seen the Marion Berry movie and don't want a sequel. First, former Newark mayor Sharpe James gets a 27-month bid in the Federal clink on fraud charges; then Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick gets sent up for 120-days in a plea deal stemming from a perjury conviction linked to a City Hall freaky-deak scandal that also cost him his job.

Now, after all that, voters in Louisiana have decided to put Rep. William Jefferson , the Democrat who federal agents say they caught with $90,000 in ill-gotten gains inside his freezer, out of his misery too. Instead voters, primarily in Jefferson's district already plagued with violent crime and beleaguered by the continuing recovery from Hurricane Katrina, elected Vietnamese-American Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao instead, who will be the first Vietnamese-American in Congress. ...



From what I can see, this black political downfall three-pointer symbolizes a sea change in who represents our communities and what we demand from them. It's looking like an old guard and old guard mentality is gone -- one of being able to attain power through the Black Slate without being accountable for one's transgressions. Simply being re-elected through the endorsement of preachers and the votes of senior citizens won't cut it.

What it's being replaced with is a new generation of black politicos who know how to show a paper trail and get their much-needed votes from all corners. Two really good examples are James' replacement Newark Mayor Cory Booker , who is credited with a dramatic decrease in homicides in the city; and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick , that state's first black governor.

There will probably be more to come because a Democratic takeover in Congress, coupled with a Barack Obama presidency will likely encourage more grass-roots enthusiasm and encourage more young, ambitious black would-be reps, senators and presidents to take the plunge.

As for Jefferson, he's likely movin' on down, because he's still got to fight his indictment on bribery and fraud charges. The trial was scheduled for Dec. 2, but was postponed until an unnamed date in 2009 . He pleaded not guilty last year, and had early support, but a combination of House Democrats shunning him, lack of funding and Hurricane Gustav delaying the election until last weekend, pretty much sealed his fate.

The real loser is black political representation in New Orleans. Not that Cao may not be just what the district needs, but it was originally drawn for the purpose of giving political power to blacks. This is a very delicate situation because not only did Hurricane Katrina decimate black folk in New Orleans physically, but politically as well. What they need is someone who will understand and represent their needs directly and there is no guarantee that will happen.

In the end, if black folk want black representation, not only must we actually go vote ( which proudly, we did overwhelmingly this election cycle ), but we also have to vote in accountable politicians. Kilpatrick, James, and Jefferson seem to point to examples of public servants who have been accused of corruption and have for so long never had to answer for it until now.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

---

SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , Barack Obama , Politics

In the weeks following Barack Obama's election, hateful racial incidents have surged. Some are more ominous than others, some with more impact, some just kinda stupid and annoying. Some examples: Idaho school kids chant "Assassinate Obama" on a school bus and school officials are slow to (barely) react .

"They just hadn't heard anything like this before," said Whoolery. "They were chanting on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama. Assassinate Obama.' Then adding in a name sometimes of a classmate on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama and Kate.'" The Whoolery's explained to their kids what assassinate means then contacted the school about what was happening. Source "I think the thing that struck us was just like, 'Where did they get the word and why would they put that word and that person together?'" said Whoolery.

Young white people (mostly young men) on Facebook post racial slurs and even assassination threats against President-elect Obama, and the young man of color who exposes them is threatened with account suspension . An excerpt from a soldier in uniform:

Taylor West wrote at 1:51am What do we do!?! The antichrist is in Office now!!! KILL OBAMA!!! I didnt get to vote out here, but I hate that Obama won. I dont want some dude with the name Hussein, as my president. He dont even stand up for the national anthem. I swear on everything hes a terrorists. Source: Honky Talk blog

And according to the Associated Press:

Four North Carolina State University students admitted writing anti-Obama comments in a tunnel designated for free speech expression, including one that said: "Let's shoot that (N-word) in the head." Obama has received more threats than any other president-elect, authorities say.

At Standish, Maine, a sign inside the Oak Hill General Store read: "Osama Obama Shotgun Pool." Customers could sign up to bet $1 on a date when Obama would be killed. "Stabbing, shooting, roadside bombs, they all count," the sign said. At the bottom of the marker board was written "Let's hope someone wins." Source

Howard Witt, of the Chicago Tribune, reports that Klan membership is up , and the Southern Poverty Law Center is alarmed while the FBI and Secret Service are investigating:

"We've seen everything from cross burnings on lawns of interracial couples to effigies of Obama hanging from nooses to unpleasant exchanges in schoolyards," said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Montgomery, Ala. "I think we're in a worrying situation right now, a perfect storm of conditions coming together that could easily favor the continued growth of these groups."

The FBI is investigating the recent Klan-related incidents to determine the extent of any possible conspiracies. And the Secret Service is monitoring the apparent sudden surge in hate incidents "to try to stay ahead of any emerging threats," according to spokesman Darrin Blackford in Washington. Source

It's that last graph above that caught my attention. It's good to know that the FBI and Secret Service are investigating any conspiracies or coordinated activity against our President-elect. I for one completely believe that Barack Obama will serve out the full term(s) of his presidency in good health. I am not worried and have pretty much read about these incidents with some head shaking and eye rolling in response. None of it surprises me.

But it occurred to me that ignoring these incidents won't make them go away. What will make them "go away" to some extent is for each of us committed to anti-racism to make it very clear to those around us that racist talk or actions will not be tolerated. Don't stand for it. And if you hear something threatening, call law enforcement and report it.

Obama campaigned on "Yes we can." We proved we could. Don't let it slip now. Stand up and speak out.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

---

SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , Barack Obama , Politics

Earl W. Stafford, Sr. is putting his money where his vision of America is. Stafford has ponied up $1 million dollars to make sure that disadvantaged people will be able to participate -- in style-- in Barack Obama's inauguration . Earl W. Stafford, Sr. calls his effort 'The People's Inaugural Project'. From the Washington Post:

"We wanted to . . . bless those who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to be a part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities," he said in an interview yesterday. "Our objective is to bring in a cross-section of society -- those who are distressed, those who are terminally ill, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those veterans who are wounded and served our country."

Stafford said the idea was inspired by his deep religious faith and the good fortune that has come his way. The inauguration is an opportunity to remember the less fortunate and remind the country of its traditions of benevolence, he said.

"We've gotten away from those core values that made America great," he said yesterday at the headquarters of his company, Unitech, which provides weapons simulation systems to the military. "We just need to get back to caring about one another." ...

Interview with Earl W. Stafford, Sr.




Stafford, a technology entrepreneur, is referred to as 'The Benefactor of the Ball' by the Washington Post. Within hours of Obama's election, Stafford had snapped up Marriot's $1 million dollar Inauguration package and then announced his decision to reserve at least one-third of the rooms for injured vets, the terminally ill, financially challenged, homeless, physically disabled and others who might not otherwise have access to this perhaps once in a lifetime event. And Stafford's guests will be gifted with VIP treatment by Stafford and his team :

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"We'll provide the venue. We'll provide all the amenities and those type of things," he said. The partnering organizations, such as the Urban League, will be allocated a certain number of rooms for people they help select. "The Urban League will be responsible for their safety, their security, for bringing them in to Washington," he said.

"There will be those who are distressed and underserved mingling with people who aren't so," he said. The needy will be "our honored guests. That's who inspire us."

He wants gowns and tuxedos to be provided, and has hired beauticians "to make it special for these people coming in," he said.

Source

This is the holiday spirit in action.

***Update***: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OF MR. STAFFORD'S GUESTS YOU MUST EMAIL THE FOUNDATION AND TELL THEM YOUR STORY. THE EMAIL IS:

INAUGURATION@THESTAFFORDFOUNDATION.ORG

Mr. Stafford is also working with THE URBAN LEAGUE to help identify attendees. You might want to reach out to your local chapters as well. CD

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

---

SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , Politics , News

Regardless of the results of the Minnesota re-count process and the special election December 2, Democrats have been very successful this election, most notably with the selection of the first African-American elected to the presidency. Many African-American churches have sung in celebration of the Obama victory.

In the political church of the GOP, the tune sounds more like the old classic, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen."

Of the many things bantered around during the post-election analysis has been the failure of many Republican candidates at the local, state, and federal levels on Election Night. Regardless of whether the candidates were entrenched incumbents or upstart politicians, all have said that the heavy losses incurred by the GOP November 4 were a collective indictment of the Republican Party by voters across the board. ...

With this legacy of failure looming post-election, many political pundits and Republican apologists have offered theories for the Republican meltdown as well as remedies for a Republican resurgence. Many correctly point to the economic crisis and the unpopularity of the current lame duck president George W. Bush as major factors in the undoing of the GOP in 2008. However, Republican leadership is explaining away its poor showing with other reasons as well.

Some are saying that the GOP must undergo a re-branding of the Republican Party brand because of the failures of Republican leaders after the "Contract with America, " authored in initially after the mid-term election of 1994. Leaders such as Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC), and others can be heard commenting that Republicans came to Washington, DC to change the way Washington operates, only to be changed themselves upon gaining power on Capitol Hill.

Others would validate this opinion by pointing to the growth of government under the Bush II Administration and the candidacy of a moderate-leaning presidential candidate in Senator John McCain. Having Bush and McCain as standard bearers of the party, many argue, betray the principles of the Republican Party and alienate the average American voter from GOP candidates.

In the mind of the average American, the current GOP brand has less to do with Republican principles than it does with current Republican way of life, which includes public mistrust, political scandal, and personal hypocrisy. A change from these ways, many would contend, would lead to a renewed embrace of the conservative party.

With that in mind, others would point to the rejection of several statewide propositions as proof that is still receptive to conservatism if only Republicans would collectively practice what they preach. With most politicos agreeing that America is still aligned with a center-right political identity, many argue that effective messaging of Republican themes would quickly close the gap of disconnect between American voters at all levels of government and Republican candidates. Republicans now look to the future, highlighting stars such as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin , and US Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) as examples of worthy ambassadors of the GOP brand. Although many would clearly welcome a second coming of the Great Communicator, most would settle for a strong conservative within the Republican Party that can both "talk the talk" as well as "walk the walk."

That theory, although valid, also does not hold as much validity as one many think. Those that could easily handle the communicative mantle of GOP ambassador - including those such as Gov. Romney and former Kansas governor Mike Huckabee - did not measure to be conservative enough for those within the GOP's less-moderate factions of the party, thus hampering their ability to make a difference despite their overall appeal (especially Huckabee) to at large.

Both re-branding and re-messaging of the Republican Party is needed for the GOP to become more effective moving forward. However, if the GOP is serious about becoming a relevant option for a changing voter base in 21 ^st century , it will need to add another "RE" to its list to bring about RE surgence.

It will take recognizing that a renovation - most notably a renaissance - of the party must occur...and now.

The election of Barack Obama to the presidency - and the apparent sweeping of several prominent Republicans along the way - was less of an indictment by non-traditional and new voters (the very ones that made the biggest impact on the election with their overall unanticipated involvement) of any political theory or messaging snafu. Instead, these voters found a comfort level within the dynamics of the Obama Wave due to its message and imagery of inclusion.

For all of the Republican rhetoric about less invasive government and more personal freedom, the GOP has become a political structure that exudes a sophomoric peer pressure to be homogenous in thought, look, and lifestyle to a level that often makes the Stepford Wives look like Girls Gone Wild. The lack of diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, and thought that most comment about concerning the Republicans makes the GOP an endangered species in an ever-changing America, one in which alternative lifestyles, non-traditional families, and hybrid cultural experiences are more the norm than the exception.

This failure to engage (even if not accepting) the dynamics of American social lifestyle - unknowingly or intentionally - leads the Republicans to ignore huge segments of our country, potential voters that may now be dedicated Democratic voters because of the Obama Phenomenon. If this trend continues, it will be hard for Republicans to win the White House within the near future while forfeiting California (55 electoral votes), New York (31), Michigan (17), Massachusetts (12), and even Illinois (21) because of its inability to solve its diversity deficiency and slide towards a Big Tent philosophy (even if it is not completely accepted.)

Giving up 136 electoral votes to your opponent every election makes it difficult on the path to 270 and presidential victory. Everything else would seem to need to be perfect, a trait that Republicans have certainly not been in recent times.

There are movements out there to uplift the Republican brand without changing the core values of the party. However, if the local, state, and federal party structures continue to practice a mantra that promotes the status quo, the GOP will either lose these activists and potential candidates or become fractionalized by them to a point where the party's current ineffectiveness will be increased further still.

Renaissances have been instrumental throughout history to allow people to promote new ideas for attaining current goals. If the Republican Party seeks to be relevant to this Republic post-2008, it must discover the ability to bake itself into the fabric of while developing bridges to new talent and new activists in areas that have been recently unexplored. Anything less decreases the chance of resurgence