Category Archives: POLITICS

African-American History, POLITICS

Have The Chickens Come Home to Roost?: Why Contemporary Black Activists Behave as if They Have No Understanding of Revolutionary Struggle

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In August Wilson’s play The Piano Lesson, the character Doaker issues the following quip about time and how there is no way to stop it. According to Doaker, “Time go long, time go long.” For each of us, “time is the only thing that God ain’t making no more of.” Yet, questions regarding the evaporation of time rarely extend beyond biological deterioration; as we age, our bodies change. A student’s comment pushed me beyond that limited understanding of the impact of time.

During a recent discussion of Marlon T. Riggs’ Ethnic Notions, for a reason I cannot recall, a failing that I attribute to the impact of time on my mind, I was responding to a student’s question of “What occurred after JFK was killed in Dallas?” I proceeded to mention Kennedy’s vice-president Lyndon Baines Johnson’s, commonly termed LBJ, impact on Black America by signing the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). To my dismay, an unknowing student raised his hand and asked, “What does LeBron James have to do with this?” Initially, I did not understand the comment. However, after a few moments, I realized this young man associated the initials LBJ with NBA superstar LeBron James, not President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

 

I place the blame for such disassociation from the US History record on a host of culprits whose actions ensure that Black youth will fail to achieve the success levels of their parents or even grandparents.

Not a semester expires where a student does not attempt to drive home the silly notion that any occurrence before 2000 is “back in the day” and irrelevant to their tenuous present or uncertain future. The inherent dangers of such thinking disassociate African American youth from a past filled with vital information regarding survival strategies their ancestors used to weather the storms of life in a nation that many call a white man’s country.

Not a semester goes by that I am not saddened by African American students’ historical ignorance and illiteracy. Beyond the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks, Black students tend not to know other Civil Rights icons such as Bayard Rustin, Fannie Lou Hamer, or even a surface-level understanding of Black Nationalist icons Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton, or Assata Shakur.

Truthfully, when I see one of my young charges with a T-shirt emblazoned with the image of Tupac Amaru Shakur (2Pac) or Christopher Wallace (The Notorious BIG), my spirit is lifted. However, when I realize that something as familiar as a T-shirt purchased from Target is no reason to believe that the one it adorns is politicized or revolutionary-minded.

Conservatives have successfully executed long-range goals to control what books are allowed in the libraries of American classrooms ensuring that African American children will continue languishing in a worsening purgatory locked away from their documented historical past. Making matters worse, Black organizations that should be opposing such attacks remain mired in ineffectual reactionary protests that fail to even hint at liberating Black America. Present-day activists can’t teach aspiring young activists about revolutionary struggle because relevant experience displays how little they know about the activity.

I agree with Huey P. Newton’s assertion that the revolution belongs to the young. However, I fear post-Civil Rights activists and groups’ failure regarding how to fight leaves aspiring new millennium activists with the necessary tools.

Far too often, Black activism presents itself as a one-trick pony of reactionary public protests and riotous behavior. Opponents of Black rights must react with glee when they see the old playbook and strategies in the hands of a new generation. Those who seek to increase their freedom quotient by snatching away Black rights have also used a predictable yet highly effective playbook that goes as follows.

  • Donate money to political campaigns.
  • Volunteer for political campaigns.
  • Run candidates that view the world through your lens.
  • Holding the elected officials’ feet to the fire once they’re elected.

As stated above, this is a familiar playbook that any group, regardless of Race/ethnicity seeking to increase its access to power, has implemented for decades.

One can only wonder when unfortunate Black traditions such as phrase-mongering, rioting, and reactionary activism give way to tried-and-true uplift activities that other groups have implemented to ascend out of their marginalized socio-economic position. Such activism is effective yet, considered relatively mundane as it is devoid of public performance and theater. If Black leaders abandoned their propensity to talk so much and modeled a traditional grassroots activism, the African American collegians that I lecture to daily would have some understanding of from whence they come and an inkling of where they should head.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2022

 

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CRITICAL RACE THEORY, POLITICS, RACE

A Shameless Motley Crew: How the Absence of Morality is Fully Displayed Yet Again by Republican Senators

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Fifty-five years ago, Thurgood Marshall, a top General in Charles Hamilton Houston’s brigade of young Black civil rights attorney whose victories across the South reminds the historically literate of General Ulysses S. Grant’s scorched Earth policy throughout Confederate lands, sat through Senate confirmation hearings to become this nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice.

During an extremely contentious hearing over fifty years ago, a group of White segregationist Senators did their best to stir up constituents’ fears by evoking the imagery of Black Civil Rights and Black Power activists battling White law enforcement officers seeking to prevent a violent revolutionary overthrow of America. Even the politically unsophisticated were capable of recognizing the insinuation that if Thurgood Marshall, a relatively Conservative Black man in his own right, were confirmed that anarchy would reign in American streets.

The unfair characterization of Marshall was not the subtle “dog whistle” that many term such moments. Public attacks on Marshall were unfair intentional mischaracterizations of a man who had served as one of Charles Hamilton Houston’s foremost “levers for social justice.” Over half of a century ago it was Thurgood Marshall being raked over the coals by ardent segregationists via an argument tailored to stoke White folks irrational fears, today it is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson being dragged over similar coals by a more sophisticated yet equally evil intentioned cadre of Republican Senators.

Yesteryear, White segregationist Senators argued that if Justice Marshall were confirmed, the White man would no longer stand a chance in a nation founded by their ancestors. Today, a slicker talking yet similarly intentioned cadre of White Senators are doing their best to evoke thoughts among their supporters that if Judge Jackson, the princess of Critical Race Theory and pedophilia according to the alluded Senators, is confirmed White society is doomed.

I am sure that you understand my refusal to rehash the demonically inspired intentions and words of U.S. Senators Cruz (R-Texas), Cotton (R-Arkansas), and Blackburn (R-Tennessee) in this brief space. Trust me when I say that volumes could be written about these individuals who are devoid of an ounce of logic, honesty, or credibility. I long ago decided that I would no longer participate in discussions that hold as much promise as talking to the wind.

Yet, I have tired of the lackadaisical manner that Democratic Party leaders respond to the never-ending attacks of a segment of the Republican Party that do not even seek to hide their racial bigotry. These Republican political leaders such as Rafael Edward Cruz aka ‘Ted’ Cruz are interested in nothing more than the continuation of far too lengthy political careers. Things have gotten so bad that in regards to the spineless Rafael Edward Cruz that it would be no stretch for one to hear the following conversation.

  • Person A: “Did you hear what Cruz believes?”
  • Person B: “No, I haven’t spoken to him in the last hour.”

Unfortunately, in America, the racism virus that breeds irrational thoughts and fears has infected a sizable portion of our White countrymen and caused them to consider any semblance of the sharing of politico-economic power to be a significant threat to their privileged status. Last year that threat was the Black Lives Matter Movement, this year it has been the ominous threat posed by Critical Race Theory, at the present moment it is the looming confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson; only the Lord knows what the next fabricated threat will be.

The time has come for Democratic Party leaders, yes, that means both members of the Congressional Black Caucus and their White colleagues to take a bold step forward with well-deserved counter-attacks against political opponents that highlight their devotion to racial bigotry. Such a pro-active strategy is bound to be more effective than the silence so many of our elected officials substitute for substantive political strategy and leadership.

Make no mistake about it, America is at war with itself, however, the lines of war are less about Race and more so about those who believe that the creeds of this nation should apply to all citizens versus those who do not.

Which side will our democratically elected political officials support?

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2022

 

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POLITICS, RACE

When Will Black America Learn that Rabble-Rousing and Emotionalism is a Poor Substitute for Serious Political Engagement?

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Can I let you in on a little secret of mine? Whelp, here it is.

I have tired of endless circular talk that serves as a poor substitute for the execution of logical political strategy. So, it stands to reason that on the second anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s murder that I was angered when an assembly of Black political leaders and self-proclaimed “revolutionary activists” gathered in her memory and accomplished nothing.

Now, I do not want you to misconstrue what I am saying about the various anniversaries marking the untimely demise of Treyvon Martin, Tamir Rice, George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor. My problem is not with any of the above individuals because they mattered. My issues arise when I examine the actions and apparent motives of those who rush to such memorials and unintentionally turn them into a reminder of the powerlessness of Black elected officials and phrase-mongering revolutionaries. The latter’s limited political understanding reveals them as little more than new millennium black-faced minstrel show performers.

I am saddened most of all that I have seen this same mournful story with the same cast of characters for what seems to be decades, if not centuries.

You know the story. It goes like this.

  • A White person or White institution victimizes some random Black person.
  • Many Blacks rush to the streets to express their righteous indignation through emotionally-charged sound that signifies and accomplishes nothing.
  • (Please insert the name of your least favorite Negro leader in the space below. If you are having difficulty identifying people of such ilk, I have provided a few for you.)
    • Umar Johnson
    • Jamal Harrison Bryant
    • Al Sharpton
  • _______________ arrives on the scene to articulate angst against what has just occurred. Please pay little attention to the reality that this “national level leader” knows little about the community or the people they seek to lead.
  • The accused is found “not guilty” and said Black leader vows to “get to the bottom of this mess” before catching a flight once the publicity dwindles.
  • The same conditions and local political leaders/institutions that facilitated the egregious action remain unchallenged and therefore unchanged.

The repetition of this sordid tale guides my prayer that Black America develops unprecedented political maturity that is not tied to or activated by emotionalism. Such a development would pave the way for them to take the following steps.

  • Register to vote — You have more than enough time to secure the appropriate identification.
  • Educate yourself regarding the political process by attending community forums, watching your local news, or searching the internet for relevant information.
  • Learn the dates that elections are being held in your area and cast your vote.

Trust me when I say that the rabble-rousing of a few individuals regarding racial injustice will NEVER result in securing justice or the prevention of future incidents of mistreatment.

Although I am no conspiracy theorist, I will tell you that the rules of the game of life in America, particularly regarding racial matters, are rigged by those who make the rules and crucial decisions. Any attempt to correct American powerbrokers’ decision-making processes by appealing to a never-seen sense of morality is the same as talking to the wind. It is time that Black America seizes the Black Panther Party’s mantra of “All Power to the People” and divorces themselves from ineffectual public protests that charismatic leaders have tricked them into believing is sufficient to end their misery. Such emotionalism is a poor substitute for political power.

All of the slick-talk, rhetoric, and phrase-mongering in the world will never change the hearts and minds of opponents who understand that the heaven they enjoy on Earth is only possible if Blacks remain politically disorganized and economically foolish. The decision to avoid politics is the same as working with our oppressors.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2022

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African-American History, POLITICS, RACE

The Importance of Local Politics in Securing Political Power: A Political Strategy that White Supremacist Groups Are Executing With Little Resistance from Black America

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Black America needs a new political strategy for teaching the simplest of political strategies. Now, I do not want you to think that the above quip is a slight for the droves of Black political leaders who have failed to guide our people down the path to liberation since President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). The sloping shoulders of Black political leaders should not hold all of the weight for Black America’s political failings.  For decades, they have called for our people to become more active in local politics. Unfortunately for the cause of Black Liberation, Blacks have by-passed local political races in favor of more glorious, yet less impactful, national campaigns.

The message of “think nationally but act locally” has been one that has been ignored by too many Black voters and seized by their avowed enemies.

The importance of local politics has been heard, considered, and acted on by groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three percenters. Groups that have dedicated their entire existence to ensuring that America serves the interests of white men above all other groups.

White supremacist organizations understand that there is a more reliable and efficient means of gaining control of schools and cities than the treasonous actions of January 6. They know something that those who understand the path to Black liberation have understood for decades. Control of city councils, the mayor’s office, and school boards equal city control. The way to gain control of these pillars of local political power is political solidarity, voter education, voter registration drives, and vote casting.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The Proud Boys increasing appearance at local political events and school boards may be just the thing that Black America needs to see to understand this rudimentary political strategy. According to Jeremy Bertino, a member of a North Carolina chapter of the Proud Boys

The plan of attack if you want to make change is to get involved at the local level.

It is time that Black America took to heart the wisdom of Chicago-based Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton who observed that “war is nothing but politics with bloodshed and politics is nothing but war without bloodshed.” Blacks must realize that they must fight the angry horde seeking to curtail their freedom and right to live. Failure to do so reveals you as a cowardly fool and traitor to the Race, and all that civilized people hold sacred.

We must increase our engagement and understanding of local politics because it matters mightily in the battle for Black survival. I am pretty confident that if Marcus Mosiah Garvey were with us, he would implore us in the following manner. “Up You Mighty Race, Achieve What You Will!!!!!!!”

Get active in your local communities because it matters more than you will ever understand.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021

POLITICS, RACE

Just Busy Doing Nothing: Why the NAACP’s Letter to Professional Athletes Speaks Volumes About Why Black America Continues to Lose in the Game of Politics

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You would hope that the frustration that Black politicians have experienced due to their historical political failings would lead them to the development of some semblance of political savvy. I long abandoned such hope for Civil Rights organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. My last dash of hope for this storied organization expired with their rather stupid decision to purchase a casket and open a grave to bury the “N-Word.” Although it is difficult to comprehend, the leadership of the NAACP wrote the word “Nigger” on a sheet of paper, placed it inside of a coffin, and then buried it before their naïve supporters.

The “N-Word” has risen from the grave to haunt Black America.

To comprehend my disapproval of NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson’s recent communication to the players’ association of five professional sports leagues, one must understand the above foolishness. Johnson contacted MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and WNBA to request that their players not sign a contract with a Texas-based sports team. The catalyst behind this ridiculous communication is the series of laws recently passed in the Lone Star State.

The alluded legislation covers a wide swath from abortions through voting rights and the absence of mask mandates. A portion of Derrick Johnson’s communication reads as follows.

If you are considering signing in Texas, I ask you to ensure that owners are upholding their responsibility of protecting you, the athlete, and your family. I ask you to use your influence to help protect the constitutional rights of each individual at risk.

Over the past few months, legislators in Texas have passed archaic policies, disguised as laws, that directly violate privacy rights and a woman’s freedom to choose, restrict access to free and fair elections for Black and brown voters, and increase the risk of contracting coronavirus.

Now, I do not want you to believe that I support any of Greg Abbott’s measures. If Texans follow the NAACP’s lead, their inevitable suffering will be immense.

I am sure you will agree that professional athletes not signing with a Texas team will have no impact on White powerbrokers such as Governor Abbott or Ted Cruz. I am slightly ashamed by such a sophomoric response from one of America’s most storied Civil Rights organizations. The NAACP’s juvenile response is ill-conceived, ineffectual, and just plain stupid for many reasons.

If permitted to address the leadership of Civil Rights organizations and other progressives, I would tell them to get back to basics such as political education and voter registration drives that prepare their voting bloc for a treacherous political season. We know our opponents’ underhanded activities, such as denying access to the franchise by changing voter identification requirements.

It is disappointing that the NAACP’s foremost goal is not removing political evildoers via the ballot. Instead of developing political education campaigns that illuminate the undeniable realities facing working-class and poor Black, Latinx, Asian, and White Texans, the NAACP’s leadership seeks to convince professional athletes to abandon tried-and-true Capitalist principles in the name of moral righteousness and racial equality.

Any understanding of why Black folks are still on the bottom rung of this nation’s social and politico-economic hierarchy begins with their so-called political leadership. Derrick Johnson should know better.

It is frightening to think that he doesn’t.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021