Afro American Caribbean Struggle Continues

-
We present and encourage progressive Caribbean views of Caribbean and world affairs.


We join our Afro American brothers and sisters in celebrating the historic march on Washington.  Fifty years ago Dr. Martin Luther King, made one of the greatest modern day speeches, commonly called: I have A Dream. It is safe to say that no other speech made since then on behalf of Afro Americans comes close to his fine oratory and certainly none has captured the picture of the America that he wanted for all Americans. We have no doubt that Dr King would be proud of the nation’s first black president. We have no doubt that he would be equally proud of all the progress made by the African Americans. Unfortunately, we are also certain that he would be saddened by some other realities.
The statistics in relation to Afro Americans in prison would be one of his concerns. He would ask himself why fifty years later, why so many black men are in prison, some for no other reason than the color of their skin; he would question why so many blacks were prevented from voting in elections and why the America’s chief court struck down voter legislation.
Dr. King would be out in the trenches fighting for proper social policies in the inner cities; against stop and search by the police targeting blacks and Hispanics and other law enforcement tactics that too often bear the mark of racism. No doubt he would be calling on President Obama to use the bully pulpit to engineer programs specifically designed for the poor. He would have asked the president how come you can bail out Wall Street but seem impotent in producing a stimulus package for the destitute.  He would no doubt be conscious of the fact that Obama is president of all Americans but he would remind Obama that all includes the poor African Americans.
There are some questions that we often ask our own Caribbean leaders. How come after fifty years of independence, in some of our islands, the dream of true economic transformation has not been accomplished? Why is it that the commanding heights of our economies are still controlled by the few? Why is it that so many leaders have not dumped the monarchy? Why there is still a limited understanding of our past? Why have we not dealt with racism outside of the cosmetic occasional discussions?
It can therefore be suggested that both Afro American and Afro Caribbean peoples have made progress but both still have to be vigilant because the gains made may all evaporate without leadership. There is need for new leadership in the struggle of both Afro America and the Afro Caribbean.  Fifty years after the March on Washington and independence; the parallels are, to put it mildly, sobering if not frightening.
The struggle continues.







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oh Hell No, Mr Trudeau !

-
Image
The Caribbean Is One Nation. Justin Trudeau "But something is missing from this cabinet, from this reflection of the Canada of 2015. There are no people that look like me or my children or my grandchildren, despite there being at least six Liberal caucus members with Caribbean and African immigrant backgrounds. Once again, blacks and blackness are invisible. It is as if there is no black in Canada. Maybe despite all its diversity Canada in 2015 is still a white man’s country, where as in time of old all eligible and desirable non-whites and males have been co-opted into whiteness. Just like the Italians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Afghans, etc. that are now all white Canadians. Diversity through assimilation. And as has always been the case, the one unassimilable group – primary because of the colour of skin and the historic outsider status – is blacks. And this is at a time when south of the border there is a black president. Maybe it is true that Canadian and U.S. cultures and
Read more

White Barbadian Mogul Calls Black Workers Lazy Laggards

-
Image
The Caribbean Is One Nation. Sir Charles Williams Submitted by William Skinner: Open letter to: Sir Charles Williams In the eyes of many Barbadians, you are an example of hard work and tenacity. I am also aware that you have extended many acts of charity to the lesser fortunate. Many of your employees have spoken very positively of your labor practices. In very simple terms, you have put food on the table for a large number of families. This food was not given; it was earned as it should be. I met you once, when I was in the company of my cousin and dearest friend, David “Joey” Harper. I recall you telling us that the rather aged Mercedes was a bit heavy on gas. My first impression was that you were a very down to earth individual and that success had not made you lose the common touch. I am certain that since that meeting a few decades ago,  your wealth has increased a thousand times. However, as a Black Barbadian, that positive impression of you has now disappeared for
Read more

The Killing of Dr. Rodney

-
Image
The killing of Dr Rodney By Rickey Singh NOW that Carnival 2014 is over, perhaps the people of Trinidad and Tobago could spare some time to reflect on developments in other Caricom states. One such country is Guyana. An issue currently in sharp focus in Guyana is a probe into the killing, decades ago, of the internationally famous historian and crusader for freedom and social justice Walter Rodney. Thirty-three years after this intellectual and writer was killed in a bomb blast in his car on the night of June 13, 1980, in Georgetown, a three-member team of Caribbean legal experts has been established to begin an enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Dr Rodney.  “Assassination” has always been the unofficial verdict of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the party of which Dr Rodney was a founder-leader, as well as from thousands of its supporters across Guyana. They continue to blame the administration of late president Forbes Burnham for the murder.
Read more