FROM HOUSTON
State of the Black Union
Tavis Smiley presents “The 7th Annual State of the Black Union.” Three dozen African-American leaders join author and broadcaster Tavis Smiley and radio personality Tom Joyner to discuss economic issues facing Black communities. Airs in three parts today, at 9am, 2pm, and 4:30pm. Reair: Mon., C-SPAN2, 8:30pm
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Out here on the west coast, the guide for this event is all wrong. It says it’s broadcasting, but it’s not on. Also, the schedule says it coming out of Atlanta when (according to C-Span), the event is in Houston.
If you saw this program, please share your thoughts.
COVENANT I
Securing the Right to Healthcare and Well-Being
COVENANT II
Establishing a System o Public Education in which All Children Achieve at High Levels and Reach Their Full Potential
COVENANT III
Correcting the System of unequal Justice
COVENANT IV
Fostering Accountable Community-Centered Policing
COVENANT V
Ensuring Broad Access to Affordable Neighborhoods that Connect to Opportunity
COVENANT VI
Claiming Our Democracy
COVENANT VII
Strengthening Our Rural Roots
COVENANT VIII
Accessing Good jobs, Wealth and Economic Prosperity
COVENANT IX
Assuring Enviromental Justice for All
COVENANT X
Closing the Racial Digital Divide
Sphere: Related Content
February 25th, 2006 at 11:39 am
It was supposed to resume at 1, it looks like it will resume at 2.
It’s central time, not eastern.
http://darkstarspoutsoff.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/02/state_of_the_bl_1.html
February 25th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
I’m not impressed by the list, however, it was created “from the bottom up” of those who cared to respond.
I didn’t.
February 26th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
This covenant does not address the lack of academic effort by some of our young people. In fact, it does not address personal responsibility at all. Cosby was right! Some poor people need to uphold their end in this deal.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:56 am
I watched the show and enjoyed it very much.
The best thing that can come from this is the stated aim of the program.
For blacks to realize that when it comes to politics, we should have no permanent allies, no permanent enemies but only permanent INTERESTS
Which guide us in determing how to use our political power to vote.
February 27th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Harold Baker, Covenant II addresses it. It specifically states that all children should be achieving at high levels and reaching their full potential. [i]Obviously[/i] they have to take full responsibility for their education in order to do that, or do you need to have every step spelled out for you?
February 27th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
COVENANT I
Securing the Right to Healthcare and Well-Being
Healthcare is not a right
If you pay for it you can have it.
COVENANT II
Establishing a System o Public Education in which All Children Achieve at High Levels and Reach Their Full Potential
Try homeschooling it works.
public Education has never work and never will.
Why not give every one a chose how to educate there kids.
COVENANT VIII
Accessing Good jobs, Wealth and Economic Prosperity
Make your own economic prosperity,you can do it
COVENANT IX
Assuring Enviromental Justice for All
That is just stupid. Base on what facts
COVENANT X
Closing the Racial Digital Divide
Save and buy a Pc and internet service $9.99
March 1st, 2006 at 10:38 am
So I guess that any talk of the 70% of children born in black households without fathers was ‘off limits’? This must not be a major issue enough to be addressed by this ‘esteemed’ group of black left-wing loons. Maybe when it hits…oh…90% it will become a hot button topic worthy enough to be added to the rhetoric and hyperbole of these racist gatherings.
March 1st, 2006 at 3:28 pm
right on
March 4th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
As soon as Farrakhan made his comments everyone tried to distance themselves from him. This is the same divide and conquer mentality that has been keeping our people down for years. I am not a Muslim nor a memeber of the Nation ifo Islam but I ask everyone to look and then think on what Farrakhan said. He asked basically asked us as black people to look in the mirror.
March 5th, 2006 at 5:27 am
Farrakhan is just sick.
March 7th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
In the 60s, leaders like King and Malcom were men you did’nt have a whole lotta questions and what not about their sincerity or integrity, hell Black folks aint stupid, because, not only did we see that their integrity in regards to all African poeple was something that could be documented, hey it was something you could feel!!!,
When you look at a brother or sister, who wants to call themselves a BLACK LEADER and you get the vibe that;
Has he or she, been out to the hood,
to check out how folks are doin;?;(need I say on a regular basis) or do they only come out the castle,
to pass the plate,
to us serfs,
to put our SWEAT $earn$ in?
March 8th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Farrakhan made a good point. how can we have a covenant when none of the other promises have been meet. When are we going to address the fatherlessness that is prevalently in our community. What about the demasculation of black men and the dehumanization of the black woman. We need a covenant alright but not with America with ourselves.
March 8th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
True! Very True!
My main beef with Farrakhan is that he will follow up these great points with “the government and ALL white people cannot be trusted” talk. He will then pepper it with conspiracy theories that when pressed to provide the hard evidence, nothing comes of it. The result? More mad black folk who will give him a pass for such an “oversight” while holding other folks to a much higher standard.
Hmmmm, we may talk about this one later.
March 16th, 2006 at 1:36 am
“Assuring Enviromental Justice for All
That is just stupid. Base on what facts” – Eugene
Bible thumber Eugene, you’re stupid – go do some research and you’ll find evidence for environmental injustice – and guess what, you wont have to look far. While you’re at it, find some hard evidence that your “god” exists…then EVOLVE
“So I guess that any talk of the 70% of children born in black households without fathers was ‘off limits’?”
You jumped to a lot of conclusions there – you certainly couldn’t be a scientist with that kind of logic. Just because a woman is not married when she gives birth doesn’t mean that a father is not around. Duh. One need only look at folks like Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise to see how that works. While I do agree that parenthood should not be entered into lightly, this type of sloppy logic is getting really old. And besides, WHITE PEOPLE HAVE A 50% DIVORCE RATE -go ahead and argue that its better to atleast be married and then divorce than to cohabit while raising kids – either one is far from your ideal.
March 16th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
This is the first time I’ve taken to look at the 10 Covenants. I’ll say that I’m only mildly disappointed because I never had very high expectations for it. In my humble opinion, it looks more like an outline for a do-nothing book disguised as a master plan for prosperity. The only ones who’ll prosper are the ones who get the checks from Amazon.com!
My response to each “Covenant” follows:
COVENANT I – Securing the Right to Healthcare and Well-Being
plez’s Response – Good health begins with good living, eating the right foods, exercising, staying away from drugs and alcohol. I guess this should read that everyone has a right to good common sense! Now, if they are referring to health insurance, that stuff costs money… and it’s not an issue for just Black people.
COVENANT II – Establishing a System of Public Education in which All Children Achieve at High Levels and Reach Their Full Potential
plez’s Response – Good Education and Achievement can be accomplished in our public schools, but it requires a substantial investment by the community. Parents must be intimately aware and actively participate in their children’s education. They must raise money or “booster” to alleviate budget shortfalls, they must meet with teachers and let the teachers know the high expectations for their children, and they must followup to ensure their children are being taught properly. Parents must also make sure that their children are prepared for school everyday and they must discipline (and allow school authorities to discipline) their children.
COVENANT III – Correcting the System of unequal Justice
plez’s Response – Stay out of the System … don’t start none, won’t be none! I know “ish” happens, but when it does, quietly work to resolve the problem and don’t make it worse by NOT using good common sense.
COVENANT IV – Fostering Accountable Community-Centered Policing
plez’s Response – I don’t understand Convenant IV. I live next door to a policeman.
COVENANT V – Ensuring Broad Access to Affordable Neighborhoods that Connect to Opportunity
plez’s Response – Why must where you live be a ghetto? And if it is a ghetto, clean it up. I paid a little bit more to live in my neighborhood, so I wouldn’t have to deal with folk that carry a ghetto mentality with them.
COVENANT VI – Claiming Our Democracy
plez’s Response – I don’t understand Covenant VI (I guess I should go out and buy the book, huh?!?). Democracy isn’t for everyone (look at Iraq) and quite frankly, I’m glad that a lot of people who have no idea about researching issues and candidates’ stands on various issues don’t go out and vote. If you only vote for someone because of their race, religion, or party affiliation, I would prefer that you didn’t vote!
COVENANT VII – Strengthening Our Rural Roots
plez’s Response – I don’t understand this one, either (something tells me that they had planned to have 10 Covenants and they started to run out of ideas). My new #7 – Emphasis on Personal Responsibility
COVENANT VIII – Accessing Good jobs, Wealth and Economic Prosperity
plez’s Response – Get up every morning, even when you don’t feel like it. Get to work or school early, try being the first one there everyday. When you get there, do what you’re supposed to do. You’d be surprised how well the rest works out for you. (See my New #7)
COVENANT IX – Assuring Enviromental Justice for All
plez’s Response – This may require some government intervention (I’m sure the book has a template of the letter that you need to send to your congressman and/or senator telling them about the environmental conditions in your area along with some basic instructions on how to start an investigation).
COVENANT X – Closing the Racial Digital Divide
plez’s Response – Give me an (excuse my French) effin’ break! There’s not a public school or public library in the United States that is not on the ‘net. It’s 2006, if you are on the wrong side of the “divide”, shame on you!
March 21st, 2006 at 12:37 pm
IMHO, Min. Farrakhan is right on! It boils down to BELEIVING that we can exist equally. I think the other panelist have become complacent with being America’s “succesful middle class blacks” and the hell with the rest of us poor black, brown and white. What has anyone of those panelist done successfully that has contributed to the poor. Nothing! “They talk and they confer, and they feel real good!” – Farrakhan. HE is so right. Black people will never be a free people if we already see our selves as less than. Whats the point in fighting when your not fighting for youself.
April 18th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
This Covenant is Excellent!