Blacks urged to form independent political movement

[carpe diem]

WASHINGTON (NNPA)— Growing disappointment with the Democratic Party, capped by a so-called Senate compromise last week that paved the way for the confirmation of at least three right-wing judges, has prompted some activists to consider leaving the Democratic Party and forming an independent political movement.

“Everybody knows that blacks are the most loyal folk to the Democratic Party. We have been loyal. And what do we get for our loyalty?” asked Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the U. S. Commission of Civil Rights. “African Americans should form an independent political movement—not a party, but a movement and say, ‘This is what our issues are and any candidate who supports these issues we will support. And if you don’t support them, we won’t support you.’”

Over the past 30 years, Democrats have received more than 80 percent of the black vote in every presidential election.

“When it comes to black people, African American people, Afro-American people—whatever we’re calling ourselves this year, Negro, colored—there is no party, except the white party,” said Thomas N. Todd a Chicago attorney and longtime civil rights activist.

.................................................

The entire article is well worth reading. There is a LOT of frustration...at this point, what have we got to lose...

http://www.frostillustrated.com/news/2005/0608/Front_Page/001.html

[marmar]

1. Bad idea...

All the progressives need now is more fragmentation. As an African American and a progressive, I, too, am disappointed in the Democratic Party (at least many of those in office right now), but now is NOT the time to fall apart.

[efhmc]

2. There will no longer be a Democratic party without African-Americans.

Not an AA but am also very frustrated with our lack of cohesion and progress.

[Botany]

3. Pure Rove.

We are all Americans who just happen to be different colors. This is
all about the Republo-nazis trying to fragment any opposition.

[marmar]

4. I do think that...

Dean's tell-it-like-it-is style will appeal to African Americans.

[tx_dem41]

6. So you're suggesting that Mary Frances Berry is a Rove dupe/plant?

Nope...don't think so. Not at all.

[Botany]

7. no I don't know about about Mary Frances Berry but ....

..... a massive black voter suppression has gone by repugs for years.
...... a michigan Congressman (R) said that the black vote must be suppressed
for bush to win in '04
..... the repugs since Berry Goldwater have become the party of race politics and fear.
..... minorities will make up more and more of the vote (repugs know this)
...... bush has funneled million of dollars to conservatives black ministers under
his faith based initiative
...... to split people along color lines is stupid
...... do not think for one minute that repugs do not want to fracture a core
base in the democratic party. and have not spent money and time doing just
that.

[noiretextatique]

15. if it's stupid to split people along color lines

then why does the GOP actively work to suppress the black vote? what exactly are you saying here? an btw, bush did NOT give away millions of dollars to black ministers in the faith-based votes for money scam...another rovian meme.

[Botany]

17. Columbus, OH ......

..... i forget the name but a local black minister took his "flock" to
bush inauguration ..... that minister has gotten money under the faith based
crap ......

[noiretextatique]

19. yeah...but they did not get any increase in black votes

the GOP, with all their talk, failed to get any significant increase in the black vote in 2004, their token dog and pony show notwithstanding.
there is a black commentator article about the faith-based scam, and if i recall correctly, many black ministers were angry at bush about it. i don't recall all the details, but suffice it say: that minister and his flock were little more than window dressing.
just like colin and condi and all the rest.

[noiretextatique]

14. i'm afraid you're a bit paranoid

and not without good reason, i might add. however there has been much discussion about this of late, and as far as i know, rove hasn't been invited. there was a rovian plot afoot in the last election, and to date, some people still believe the big lie advanced by the media. namely, republicans made some inroads with black voters, some claim as much as 30% increase :eyes: all bullshit of course, but it's a meme i still hear from time to time.
btw, no need for some huge plot to fragment americans...just ask george w. bush. this is about the opposition joining forces with the ones they are supposed to be opposing.

[Botany]

18. I worked for Kerry in Ohio ...

..... we pulled 90% + of black voters ..... so I laugh when I hear about
repug inroads into the black vote ..... except for some religious black males
who tend to be conservative and bought the anti gay crap from * and
company.

[noiretextatique]

20. i know a few of those black conservative types

i call them angry black men :grr:
just as any gay person would be a fool to support a party that demonizes gay people, i just don't see african-americans voting republican or third party in large numbers.
but i think a black political movement, independent of both parties, is a great idea for many reasons. perhaps we can have the noi guarding polling stations in black neighborhoods :D

[Selatius]

5. The Democratic Party takes Black voters for granted

If the damn party won't take them seriously, then they should seriously try and form an outside mass opposition movement to "apply pressure" from the outside on the damn party to get off its fucking ass and run forward. There will be a terrible price to pay for taking people for granted.

People should not be voting Democratic just because it's the only damn alternative on the ballot. If you're simply voting Democratic because "it's the only option," then your democracy is in deep shit.

Anyone you vote for should earn your damn vote, not get it for granted.

[progressivebydesign]

9. I never understood that comment, "taking them for granted"

What exactly does the Party need to do? I have yet to hear anything concrete. Why does one segment of the population need specific things from their party that the rest of us do not? Is fighting for health care, funding for safe streets, funding for schools, fighting for civil rights, fighting for jobs, not enough?

Seriously. I haven't a clue what people mean when they say the Party is taking them for granted. I'm not being confrontational or deliberately dense. I want to know what, specifically, you think the party could do for the African American community that they are not doing specifically for them now. Or is the Party failing all voters the same way?

[noiretextatique]

11. the political system is failing all voters

an both major parties are failing as well. an example of failing black voters in particular: trading the disenfranchisement issue for committee chairmanships in 2000. i consider that a huge failure, a big, gigantic example of taking voters for granted.

[Selatius]

12. For one thing, there is no effective investment programs for the poor

The inner-cities are doing better than they were in the 1980s and early 1990s, but it's still dominated by blight, crime, and poverty. Don't you remember pictures from Flint, Michigan, Michael Moore's hometown that resembled a damn war zone in F9/11?

You don't remember those images? You call that "doing something" for the poverty-stricken!!!??? I'm sorry, but that is not an attempt at doing anything. That's an attempt at doing nothing.

The Democratic Party did it's part to kill Jim Crow and end "segregation forever," but it fell flat on its face with the War on Poverty.

[Toots]

13. Are you suggesting that blacks are treated equally in America?

I fail to see that if that is what you are suggesting. I see a majority of blacks that are schooled in neighborhoods thaty cannot afford books or paint for their buildings. Homes are worth little so little is paid in taxes. Without access to a decent education life is very much a struggle and that is only where it starts. Have you ever heard of DWB driving while black. Whites just never think about such things but for blacks it is constantly there. Clinton established inner city funding for business expansion and other programs that were a huge success. Blacks made up tremendous ground during the ninties but I think they are feeling just like we all here are feeling like the Democrats are just not doing or even attempting to do enough to stop the Republican onslought. I agree with their sentiments as well. If today's Democrats don't start getting off their asses and try putting some brakes on this Administration then I feel they are not representing my interests and am willing to give allegience elsewhere. She did not say she was leaving the party but that she wants to set up a powerful block of voters similar to the Christians of the GOP. Start demanding some action or we will work to find replacements.

[formernaderite]

8. I guess Ms. Berry is creating a new job for herself....

this may not be such a bad idea, particularly if they gain leverage for progressive issues. Not to worry, it's not like the repubs will be listening.

[Hidden Stillness]

10. This is Our Real Membership--Don't You Even Know It?

Many of these long-smoldering frustrations are now reaching a crisis--again--as the poor and middle-class are yet again pushed aside by the rich consultant/framing class that does not even know "how the other half lives" and does not want to. If the agenda of black people, loyal Democrats, were implemented, there would be a system geared once again to the middle class, unions, legal protection against discrimination, small-business ownership of media outlets--all the standard Democratic issues we have totally lost to the trivia and hypocrisy of those who don't even know or care how poor people can be in this country. Then there is a poster on this thread who asks if the great, long-time public servant Mary Frances Berry is a "Rove plant"--get how they do it? Stop attacking and censoring people you know you can get away with doing it to, because you have power and they don't.

"Democrats" should get off their phony pretense of being for "free speech," etc., when they will censor you and then lie about it as soon as any other group. The hierarchy of the Party has been disconnected from the great Democratic poor and middle-class, not even knowing how to talk to us anymore ("Tax cuts? NASCAR? What do they want?"), for too long, ever since the corporate DLC/consultant takeover that made them "embarrassed" to deal with the concerns of the non-investment class. Black people, women, old people, poor people--these are the true moral conscience of the Democratic Party, and are not only the surest guide to the issues, but have real, life and death needs. If you ignore them, then why are you in politics? A lot of "Democrats" need to admit their hypocrisy and self-congratulating trivia, and stop acting like a "lynch mob" when the middle class and poor tell you what the real problems are, and how you have failed. I am not perfect, and neither are you--but you always win.

[noiretextatique]

16. per the article: a new grassroots poltical movement...great idea

and i support it 100%.

[applegrove]

21. I'm sure they will get lots of funding from the GOP sources. Just like

Nader. Repukes & Rove-bots just cannot tribalize the country fast enough for their liking!

[KG]

22. an idea whose has come, to be sure.

:headbang: