State of the Black Union 2008

At the New Orleans Morial Center, Black leaders came together to hold a discussion with others and speak on the state of the Black Union. Rev. Al Sharpton said that we’ve got to stop lying to ourselves and the color line still exists. He said that we must be real with the line and it cannot be that way. He also says that America always lets just one get through and how they liked Michael Jordan, like liked Joe Lewis; instead the issue is if all Blacks rise and he commended Bam-Bam for dealing with the issue. He also quoted Harriet Tubman and said it still applies today, that after she was commended for building the underground railroad she stated that she could have freed more if she could only convince them that they were slaves. He said until the Black get could get the same bank loan opportunity as the White child his age, there is still a color line.

stateofblkunion2008 Dick Gregory, actor & civil rights activist, was the man who did it for me. An activist who has dedicated his life to empowering the Black community through truth was next to speak after Eddie Glaud. He began by thanking Walmart for having such low prices that his cousin didn’t have to shoplift. Exxon mobile had gift packages for Blacks and he said he gave back his gas card for a water card due to the price of water. He said he also spoke to the Black mortgage man at Wells Fargo and wanted to ask him if he could get a loan and a co-signer. The guy asked if he wanted to purchase a home and he said no, the bank took his home when times were good. He wanted to open a Black Airline that said – we leave late but we get you there on time. Also he’d be the only one to promise not to lose luggage because you can’t bring any. He said they’d be a good Christian airline because they would not sell any but you could bring your own.

He told the mayor that when he said Chocolate City and Gregory said that all his life they called the town Sin City and no one cared. Then went into a story that he saw God in his dream at 75-years of age. He said he asked God if there will ever be a Black Pope and God responded yes, but not while I’m God. He spoke on how he is grateful for the movement not known and how he is hard on the outside and soft on the inside due to the experiences he’s had with his wife and children. He said there’s no need to speak on what not to vote on. This man is like the grandfather you love to hear tell stories and know some good stuff and hott mess with leave his lips. I tuned out soon after because I was not into all the “church say Amen” references. I found myself fast-forwarding through much of it. Donna Brazile, Democratic Political Strategist, was good in what she spoke on. She asked why are we so focused on Sharpton’s hair or being caught up in how someone speaks – instead she called for the Black community to look deeper and focus. She said she is a super delegate and took her vote seriously.

I just hope she is honest with her vote and not allow too much popularity nonsense influence her choices. The conference was a good one and I’ll be sure to look out for the one in 2009, if there is one.

mark us...

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks