December 26, 2016

 To Be Equal

The Nomination of Senator Sessions And the Threat to Liberty and Justice for All
Marc H. Morial

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - “This committee has a duty to our citizens to carefully examine the qualifications of nominees for the Federal bench and to give our approval only to those who have demonstrated a personal commitment to the principle of equality for all Americans and a sensitivity to the long history of inequality which we are still struggling to overcome…Mr. Sessions is a throwback to a shameful era which I know both black and white Americans thought was in our past. It is inconceivable to me that a person of this attitude is qualified to be a U.S. attorney, let along a U.S. Federal judge. He is, I believe, a disgrace to the Justice Department and he should withdraw his nomination and resign his position.” — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Senate Judiciary Committee Opening Statement, March 13, 1986

During a presidential campaign rally in Dimondale, Michigan, Republican nominee Donald Trump made an impassioned, six-word overture to African Americans, who had shown little enthusiasm for his campaign: “What do you have to lose?” Well, if the President-elect’s cabinet nominations are any indication, for African Americans—and anyone concerned over imminent threats to justice for all Americans—the answer is simple: everything. With Trump’s nomination of Republican Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, the stage appears set to rollback the clock on racial justice, immigration policy, LGBTQ movement advances and gender equality, among other hard fought for gains in the American struggle towards equality for all its citizens.

Sen. Sessions first emerged on the national stage in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan nominated the then United States attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for a federal judgeship. His bid for the lifetime appointment was promptly derailed by the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee as a result of sworn testimony that pointed to a disturbing pattern of racist actions and comments. Among the diverse allegations brought by witnesses, Sen. Sessions was accused of calling an African-American prosecutor “boy” on more than one occasion. He was also accused of calling a white attorney a “disgrace to his race” for representing Black clients in a voting rights case. Sessions labeled the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union “un-American” and “communist-inspired” organizations, arguing that the groups “forced civil rights down the throats of people.” He also publicly described the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as “an intrusive piece of legislation.”

For his alarming and distressing comments, Sen. Sessions became the second man in half a century to be rejected by the Judiciary Committee. By a bipartisan vote of 10-8—with two Republicans joining the Democrats—Sen. Sessions’ nomination was rightfully opposed. But he wasn’t finished. Sen. Sessions went on to become the attorney general of Alabama, then he moved on to become state’s junior Senator. And now, a man once rejected as too racist to hold a federal judgeship, and has demonstrated a career-long, deep hostility to civil rights, is now being considered to serve as the nation's chief enforcer of civil rights law. A man who once described the Voting Rights act as “intrusive,” he is now being considered as the nation’s top law enforcer, tasked with enforcing our nation’s voting rights laws.

It seems the Trump administration is poised to set the fox to guard the henhouse.

As it did three decades ago when Sen. Sessions testified before it, we expect and demand that the Senate Judiciary Committee conduct a thorough and complete examination to determine if Sen. Sessions is fit to serve in this crucial federal justice enforcement capacity. But this examination cannot, and must not, be limited to past transgressions. Sen. Sessions, who has worked as a public servant for decades, has amassed a record that can speak for itself—and it speaks volumes.

In 2006, Sen. Sessions supported a ban on same-sex marriage. In 2009, Sen. Sessions voted against a bill that would expandfederal hate crime legislation, and against Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay. Sen. Sessions has opposed legislation that would restore the pre-clearance provision of the Voting Rights Act—supported by civil rights groups. And, during a debate on immigration reform, Sen. Sessions insulted Dominican immigrants, claiming that, “Fundamentally, almost no one coming from the Dominican Republic to the United States is coming here because they have a provable skill that would benefit us and that would indicate their likely success in our society.” As it did three decades ago, the Judiciary Committee must vigorously question Sen. Sessions and seriously contemplate whether his 30-year record of action and statements befits a candidate whose job requires enforcing the constitutional and civil rights of all Americans.

The National Urban League, along with a broader civil rights coalition, are conducting our own review of Sen. Sessions' record. If our examination does not determine that he is fit to serve as chief enforcer of civil rights laws, it will be our responsibility to oppose his nomination. We encourage all senators who are champions of civil rights to refrain from committing their support to this nomination until our examination is complete.

Dec. 26, 2016

This is a Season of Justice and Righteousness
By Jesse Jackson

Blackonomics

Kwanzaa 2016 – Celebration or Lamentation?
By James Clingman  

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - For fifty years Black people in the United States have celebrated the seven principles of Kwanzaa.  Established by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community.  Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.  Our obvious support and celebration of this occasion suggests our commitment, not only to the principles of the Nguzo Saba, but also to their fruition.  Thus, we ask you:  What Kwanzaa success will you celebrate this year?   What have you done during the year that qualifies as a celebratory event during Kwanzaa?

Have you achieved Unity, Umoja, among Black folks in your locale?  Are you unified to the point that you love one another more and support one another more?  Do you have proof that you have unified around some pertinent issue or cause?  If so, then let the celebration begin.  If not, let the lamentation begin.

How about Self-Determination?  Kujichagulia. What have you done in your city to demonstrate your commitment to determining the future of your children?  Are others still controlling your destiny?   Or have you taken it upon yourself to build and support your own institutions, open and grow new business, and create your own jobs?

Can you celebrate an accomplishment during 2016 vis-à-vis collective work and responsibility toward one another?  Are you celebrating Ujima this year, or are you lamenting about what we have not done?   If you have worked collectively on community projects such as neighborhood clean-up, elderly assistance, or tutoring, then your Kwanzaa celebration is in order.

Now, here’s my favorite: Cooperative Economics, Ujamaa.  Have you done anything cooperatively this year to increase the economic viability and stability of your community?  Have you pooled any of your money to finance a project or to form an investment group to assist micro businesses?  Have you purchased Black manufactured products on a consistent basis?

What have you done to build and develop your community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness?  In other words, what is your purpose, Nia, and have you actualized that purpose?  If you have, then you definitely have something to celebrate.

Have you created anything lately?  What has been the level of your creativity, Kuumba, this past year?  Is there anything, not necessarily something material, that you created to benefit your community?   Maybe it was a new financial institution, a volunteer food service program for those in need, or maybe it was a new resolve and commitment to do better than you did the previous year.  Creativity covers a multitude of endeavors.

Finally, how much faith, Imani, do you have in the things you are celebrating?  How much faith do you have in yourself?  How much faith do you have in your brothers and sisters?  How much faith do you have in the Creator’s ability to carry you through in times of struggle?  Are you one of “little faith,” or is your faith sufficient to support you in your quest to fulfill the other six principles of Kwanzaa?

Aren’t you tired of mere spoken words?  Aren’t you just a little weary of empty rhetoric, events based on words followed by little or no subsequent action?  Wouldn’t you like to see us, after fifty years of celebrating Kwanzaa, be able to point to something we built and sustained because of our celebration of values we hold so dear?

On December 26^th of every year, after fifty years of celebrating, we should be able to look back and revel in the things we have accomplished through our celebration of Kwanzaa.  What will you see when you look back this year?  If nothing is there except a mere celebration of principles rather than progress, then you have some work to do.  Use this year’s Kwanzaa to act upon the seven principles so that this time next year you will have some tangible accomplishment to celebrate.

Again, my favorite principle is Ujamaa, so I’d like to offer something you can do to celebrate it.  Go to www.iamoneofthemillion.com and purchase a few bags of Sweet Unity Coffee for yourself and for Kwanzaa gifts for a few friends. Then celebrate by toasting “sweet unity” among our people.

The founder of Kwanzaa, Maulana Karenga, did more than just come up with some nice words and principles for us to recognize and follow during this season.  He has shared many words with us on how we must conduct ourselves at all times—not just during Kwanzaa.  One thing he warned against was Black folks getting stuck in a place where most of what we do is lament “litanies of lost battles.”  Kwanzaa must be a true celebration of production and progress, not just another lamentation of having lost.

Dec. 26, 2016

Forward With Faith
By E. Faye Williams

(TriceEdneyWire.com) -  I believe that it's the inclination of humankind to cling to the surety of the 'here-and-now' despite any accompanying discomfort possibly experienced.  There's little debate that the uncertainty of future outcomes holds many in the grip of inaction. That's why so many are forced, "kicking and screaming," into the future - both physically and emotionally.  Unfortunately for them, progress and the march of time require forward movement.  As 2016 closes, this fact has never been more accurate for some!

Each year's end, I'm compelled by habit to reflect on my blessings, achievements and disappointments.  I remain blessed in good health.  I have an amazing, loving mother. Her energy and stamina at 94 are still inspiring. My siblings and I share love that's been nurtured throughout our lives and continues to grow.  The generations who follow have been indoctrinated in that spirit by our words and deeds. We enjoy a family bound in the spirit of love and mutuality that supersede possession or material gain.

I think fondly of friends who, on January 1st, joined me on this journey we call LIFE.  I grieve, but not too much, for those who left the journey during the year.  All of my friends - living or dead - have weaved their place in the tapestry of my life and leave me a better person for it. Often without speaking, we have agreed to take the best from each other and incorporate it into our own lives for our collective benefit.  Thus, we achieve our immortality by the good that we do and the inspiration we give to others to do more.

I've been blessed to be called to leadership in the National Congress of Black Women--one of our nation's most progressive women's organizations.  I take great pride in our membership and their unyielding endeavors of growth and achievement.  With the objective to improve the quality of life for women and our families, our organization plays an increasingly significant role in communities of color.

All of 2016 hasn't been positive.  Most noteworthy in the negative is the "election" of Donald Trump.  Pragmatically and, especially, measured from announced Cabinet nominations, the future seems grim.  If the best prediction of future conduct is past performance, then our nation's most vulnerable appear to be at serious risk.  Trump has demonstrated himself to be an unprincipled narcissist willing to exploit and take advantage of any circumstance that will benefit Trump.

In the weeks leading to his inauguration, there have already been multiple accusations of impropriety.  Notably, at the moment he takes the oath of office, he stands in violation of his lease for the property housing his new DC hotel.  Whether Plutocracy or Kleptocracy, Trump's election is predicted to bring a monumental shift in the political structure of this nation.

Thus far, Trump has nominated a Labor Secretary who's openly hostile to Labor.  He's nominated an HHS Secretary who's vehemently opposed to Obamacare and is an ally of the goal to privatize Social Security and Medicare.  He's nominated an Education Secretary who's committed to dismantling public education.  Egregiously, he's nominated an Atty. General whose record of racism previously disqualified him from appointment as a Federal Judge.

From where I view the future, 2017 holds no prospect for "political enlightenment" or improving the prosperity of the masses who suffered under Congressional Republican obstruction.  I am only encouraged by my faith in God and the fact that WE have survived threats greater than or equal to those which face us now.

"I don't feel no ways tired - come too far from where I started from.  Nobody told me the road would be easy, but I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me!”

Let us move forward with that faith.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.  202/678-6788.  www.nationalcongressbw.org)