Ida B. Wells

Google doodle honoring Ida b. Wells. 

Black History Month Day 14, Creating your own

Ida Barnett Wells was born during the era of slavery and lived during the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Wells would live to witness the birth of Jim Crow laws which prevented African-Americans from enjoying true liberation. The laws were a reminder of Abraham Lincoln words for African-Americans, they were "free but not equal". Neither words, free or equal applied to African-American women. Wells experienced this silence on her intersectional position of being both an African-American and a woman from enforcement of the United States Constitution. As an educated African-American woman, Wells discovered evem with the new provisions within the document did not and would not protect an African-American woman from being manhandled by raced white men. Who battled for the rights of African-American woman?

The fight would becomes Wells.


One day, Wells was asked to move to another section of the train. Wells, was told to move into a smoking section. But that day, Wells must have understood that this demand was not only an insult as a citizen but a threat against her as a woman. Wells refused to move and was thrown off the train. This light bulb moment would illuminate a different path for the teacher she was trained to be. Wells would now take on  a life time crusade against not only discrimination against African-Americans but for legal protection for African-American women. 

Wells would have to channel the messages from both former crusaders Sojourner Truth and Maria Stewart. It could not be left up to raced whites as Sojourner Truth pointed out, in defining womanhood when she asked "Ain't I A Woman ?" in order to be acknowledged by raced white males. Stewart stated that it was up to the African-American woman to define what it meant to be a woman. Wells' battle plan would have to fuse the two together and crafted a newspaper by a woman about African-Americans. 

Wells' newspaper, the Free Speech would tell about the injustices committed against her as an African-American woman. This same newspaper would later chronicle the horrible lynchings that were occurring in the south. Wells newspaper documented the number of lynchings that were occurring under the passive Separate but Equal doctrine. One of her report tell about an incident of lynching involving her friends and another the torturing of a man accused of raping a raced white young female. The lynching was a public event with witnesses collecting souvenirs. 

Wells reports showcased the South total disregard for human life. Wells learned through her travels to other countries, that there were sympathetic ears for her outrages against the south. Wells found those listening ears from the women in Britain. Britain had offered emancipated African-Americans freedom long before President Lincoln. The south was losing many African-Americans fleeing from the south to both Britain and Canada. Wells suggested that African-Americans leave Memphis and go elsewhere to live.  

Women in other countries were surprised to learn that Wells did not find support for her causes in fighting against injustices from women in the United States. Wells reported that America's women movement did not include African-American women. Highlighting the hypocrisy within the pious so called women movement -fight for equality for all women, Wells pointed out the non existence of African-American women membership. In fact, the United States women movement was a battle about class among raced white women. A class warfare as to which raced white women could enter the sphere of true womanhood and be classed a "lady". These women would be allowed to enter society or sororities to mate and marry America's patriotic and prominent males.

Wells writings about these contradictions in America angered her opponents and her newspaper was destroyed. Wells had to do what she was advocating for others to do. Wells had to flee to the north for her own safety. Wells continued her crusade against racial injustices by helping organize the NAACP. Her voice would replace her newspaper as she ran for political office. This would provide Wells an opportunity to rally others to the bully pulpit to fight for the legal rights of all African-Americans, including women. 

Wells life journey reminds us of the outrage years later when mild mannered Rosa Parks, a woman, refused to give her seat to a raced white male and remained in her seat.

Mayor Richard you are not aligned..

Former NAACP president Bruce Gordon sent a memo to the NAACP National Board of Directors concerning its organization.

Gordon was obvious trying to get some communication going about the direction of the organization. Unfortunately, Gordon resigned from the organization.

Here in Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard will gather together some in the African-American Community to give directions to its members. The African-American community should give a thumbs down on the soundbites.

The community should take over the Democratic party and go in another direction. Barack Obama did it and he is one man! As former NAACP president Bruce Gordon told the NAACP:

I am willing to accept that our points of view regarding governance and strategic direction are in conflict. This is not about right or wrong…this is about difference. We can agree to disagree. We also could have found a way to blend the best of our respective points of view but in 19 months that did not happen

.

The African-American community should tell Mayor Richard, dang you had a much longer time to improve the African-American community. Moreover, Mayor Dick you can't stay in the room long enough with African-Americans to hear their respective points of view...you're definitely not aligned. Somebody needs to take him and Democratic party to task!

Hat tip to BlackProf and Afro-Netizen.

Bruce Gordon Don't Leave Us

With the talented Bruce Gordon leaving the National Advancement of Color People civil right ogranization mean the legendary NAACP is no longer needed? No, it means just what Gordon stated, the two were not on the same page.

Gordon said that while the NAACP is an advocacy organization, it needs to be more focused on service and finding solutions

from

CNN.com

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It that statement, Gordon wanted a more hands on working with the people. Gordon was seeking ways to meet the needs of the people, by including these folks. By meeting the demands of the people in which the NAACP is representing creates a synergy. The synergy is the services that addresses the inequalities experienced within the communities. This connects the communities to the meaning of the organization, while at the same time grows the membership.

The NAACP has two fabulous assets: a well recognized brand and 2000 operating units across the country. These are assets that can be very powerful, but they are underperforming. There has to be an acceptance, a willingness to change. You can't do the same thing for 98 years and expect that you will succeed…. In business terminology we would argue that organizations that are no longer customer focused, who lose the heart of the customer, who lose the choice of the customer, will ultimately fail. I'm afraid that at this very point that our organization is more internally focused than externally focused,. That keeps us from being great and allows us to only be good. I think that the NAACP has powerful potential, but that potential will never be realized if we go about our work using 20th century approaches,

from the EURweb

Another way to view Gordon departure, is Gordon did not want to simply connect the internal members with hnd handshakes and special perks from movers and the shakers. Gordon wanted the grass root members to be included in the prosperity with business opportunities with the corporation sponsors. The gives more value to the organization rather than being an organization showing up as a savior during a period of crisis in the community.

The NAACP legacy is one of legal justice. A better fit for Gordon would be the Urban League which is about social service to the membership. The Urban League is a self-help organization. Gordon wants the civil organization to motivate the people to find the solution to their problems instead of waiting for the Bush Administration and local government to provide the resources. This would involve the two organizations entering the businesses of real estate, education, and housing. This would involve physical work and dollar investment. Hopefully, Gordon departure has freed him up to find another fit.

NAACP Chief Calls it Quit

Associated Press reports that NAACP President Bruce Gordon is stepping down.

NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon is quitting the civil rights organization, leaving after just 19 months at the helm, he told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Gordon cited growing strain with board members over the group's management style and future operations.

I'm used to a CEO running an organization, with the board approving strategy and policy," Gordon said. "But the NAACP board is very much involved.

Sound familiar nonprofits in Fort Wayne, Board Members need to get the h OUT OF THE WAY.

Hat tip/African American Political Pundit

Fort Wayne NAACP President Retain Seat

Rev. Michael Latham, executive director of Fort Wayne NAACP won his re-election bid for president. This election, according to a blog post by Vince Robinson, was a close one. Latham winning only by a slight margin. This could be membership sending a message to the NAACP leader, that the community expects more from the NAACP leadership.

According to an article in the Journal-Gazette, Latham took the high road and offered his contender an olive branch. In other words, Latham suggested that Robinson is needed in the organization. Latham is on the right track, the work of the membership is just as important as the networking that Latham is doing for the organization.

This was not a political election and Robinson should be commended for showing that if leadership is not going in the right direction it will be challenged. At times the election battle got ugly, which could have injured the organization. But instead it appears to have mobilized the membership in to action. That's a good thing.

In addition, the membership should be informed about any disagreements before the media is brought in. The membership pay to be told of any changes before contacting or granting headline grabbing attention getting moments in the media. The NAACP is made up of its membership not just of it's leader or political parties.

Rev. Michael Latham and Glass Houses

I wrote about the Wal-Mart boycott being a fake, not real or whatever. And I suggested that Rev. Latham's position in the NAACP might be challenged. So it was nice to read that Rev. Michael Latham confirmed my statement and yes indeed there are some men wanting that position of influence. Nice articles to read in the Journal-Gazette and now the Frost.

Some state this is airing dirty laundry, when in fact it's revealing the game played by self-appointed African-Americans among themselves. Who among us is more favorable among the raced white man to represent the African-Americans community? The answer the sleekest one in not getting caught trying to pull the wool over uninformed African-Americans eyes with a wink and a smile.

Should it be that way? Of course not, because African-Americans have diverse opinions about how things should be handled. But, it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, unless challenged and that is why I suggested that someone with legal knowledge should sit in the NAACP seat.

Now, I know there are a few good women who could beat these men hands down. I would love to give their names, but they have a few days to become members before the NAACP election.

Word !

Word on the streets is that a few young men are gunning for Rev. Michael Latham,Executive Director position at the Fort Wayne-Allen County NAACP chapter and pastor of Renaissance Baptist Church. Some are a little peeved about the handing of the Wal-Mart opening with the threat of a fake boycott. Some are suggesting that Rev. Latham has his hands full with the new job given to him by MY MAN MITCH, AKA Governor Mitch Daniels. Latham, was hired as full-time chaplain of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Some of these same folks are encouraging membership enrollment to the NAACP in order to oust Rev. Latham.

If there is a coup going on to up seat Rev. Latham, I would like to see a female with legal background and a legal team. The NAACP in Fort Wayne needs a strong litigator to fight the long entrenched plantation mentality of the city.

Speaking of Wal-Mart, take a peek at this article and this and this. All together, sing, "Woo-Woo-Woo."

Rev. Michael Latham have you seen my glasses?

I don't have my glasses, but I needed to post this, if only for selfish reasons. Remember, I told you that there would not be a boycott of Wal-Mart lead by Rev. Michael Latham of the NAACP? And I was righht. Right? Well, I just wanted to be the first to say that the rally against Kweku Akan came to a screeching halt, last night at the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board meeting, also Rev. Latham did rally the troops, but there was no fireworks.

I remeber a story about the boy crying Wolf. Do you think that the Rev. Latham is just calling wolf, to keep the folks from rising up when a real issue hits the city? me think so.

Fort Wayne Community School embraces Inclusion

Leo Morris laments about the decision to offer courses in Africa, African-American, and Latinos studies. Morris go so far as to state diversity obsession as just a feel good moment. When in fact it will teach about inclusion. Africa and African-American history has always been taught in schools for a long time. I remember, learning about slavery, however, a more inclusive and detailed telling of Africa and African-American history will give students a much more diverse history of Africa and its people.

Kweku Akan and his staff has been teaching Africa history at Weisser Park Center. It is good to know, that his voice as a Fort Wayne Community Schools Board member is not just talk, but he willing to put it into practice. Baba Akan has taken many students to countries in Africa. What a life lesson for these students!

The Rev. Michael Latham, of the NAACP, has decided that there is a riff between Dr. Wendy Robinson and Baba Akan, even going so far as to call for a rally against Baba Akan at the FWCS school board meeting scheduled for September 25, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. From reading the article published in the Journal-Gazette, Rev Latham must be mistaken, and I hope he uses the time to apologizes to both Dr.Robinson and Baba Akan instead of making much ado about nothing.

Dear NAACP and Corporate office of Wal-Mart and fellow bloggers

NAACP National Headquarters or NAACP Legal Department
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Bruce S. Gordon, CEO
Andrea Brown
410-580-5116

and

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 Southwest Eighth Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611.
Lee Scott. CEO
amy.wyatt@wal-mart.com
or click here.

If you're a customer, call 1-800-WAL-MART (1-800-925-6278).
If you're an investor or analyst, call 479-273-8446.
If you're a journalist, call 479-273-4314.

Attention: Lee Scott

Dear NAACP and Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart:


Today, I read in Frost Illustrated issue dated September 20, 2006 some serious issues about the Wal-Mart store opening in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Southtown Centre Mall. This Wal-Mart on the southside has a dress code, but no U scan lanes, and no layaway. This store and will not be opened 24 hours nor accept the WIC vouchers of women and children. This is totally unacceptable. We know Wal-Mart's history of discrimination against women.

From the story in the newspaper, John Wolf, the marketing manager has decided that this disparate treatment is okay in discriminating against clients who live on the southside. However, I find it troubling, even rising to a level of a class action suit in the federal court. How deplorable it is that Wal-Mart does not support a program that support women and children without health care.

Our local representative of the NAACP and Mr. Wolf appears to believe that somehow the majority of the folks will view this as a slight inconvenience rather than blatant discriminatary actions by your marketing manager who represents your stores in Indiana.

We ask that Mr. Gordon and Mr. Scott immediately demand that all policies that apply at any Wal-Mart stores should apply at all stores as a matter of fairness included this one that is located in the heart of the largest African-American and Latino population. Let this letter serve as notice that Mr. Wolf is discriminating against the southside with arbitrary policies that are not consistent with Wal-Mart policies at other stores in the city. We know that the "NAACP is dedicated to accelerating economic growth in our communities and eliminating existing racial and ethnic economic disparities." But we know that Wal-Mart is reneging on it's promise, "...on fostering and deepening these community partnerships because we know they're critical to our future. Good working relationships will ensure that we grow responsibly and intelligently, and help us build stronger communities together." Remedying this problem will be a start for Wal-Mart in building a stronger southside.


Sincerely,


Your Name

Wal-Mart Media Ping-Pong rally of the troops with the NAACP and the MEDIA

Just finished reading the News-Sentinel attack on Rev. Michael Latham's, executive director of NAACP attack on Wal-Mart. BobCaylor writes that Latham's call for a boycott could hurt the revitalization on the southside. Caylor suggests that clients on the southside are not entitled to the same treatment, because Wal-Mart is not a public service, but a privately owned business. In other words, Wal-Mart can do what ever they darn please. And just like Wal-Mart, the private citizens can do whatever they darn please, including boycotting the store.

But, let's take a closer look at the underbelly of the beast, meaning the body of the threat of a boycott, and the arms and legs of the media coverage of the threat of a boycott, and the market manager of Wal-Mart indifference to the threat. Begs the question, who is really benefiting from all of this posturing? I believe all three, the media sells paper, NAACP will get sponsorships, jobs or money, and Wal-Mart will hire less people to operate it store on the southside.

Wal-Mart is not doing the folks on the southside any favor. Wal-Mart is coming to the Southside because of the amount of disposable dollars spend on the southside. The author of the Million Dollar Slaves writes that a star athlete's father tells his son, to hold out for the best offer by a college. The college is not giving you a scholarship, you earned the scholarship. In other words, the son is bringing something that the college wants, no different for Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart wants the southside dollars to support it store, than it needs to listen to the wants of its shoppers.. scanner, lay-away, longer hours.

Besides, the SouthCentre Mall is not being developed for shoppers, it's a training center for police recruitment. The real development is happen on the boulevard to downtown. I just saw another business going in to meet the needs of the southside, a laundry mat. Ricker's City Laundry at 3817 South Calhoun, has invested in brand new washers and dryers in a building next to a gas station, ice cream place and bus stop. Somebody researched the market demographics of that area to meet the needs of the people. I just hope they use hot water unlike some of the laundries on the southside. All the money is going north to downtown, why else would the city want to build a baseball stadium downtown?

SouthCentre Mall is a sham, being used to drive up the prices of home in the area for homeowners who are going to need housing after the city's programs begin razing the homes closer to downtown.These rumors of a staged boycott, is just puppet master rallying the troops, to pretend that someone is looking out for the average hard working joe. Latham is just a puppet among the puppet master, but I stated earlier, I didn't say he was a friend of mines. But I have to hand it to him, the appointed honorary privileged representative of the Africian-American monolithic community does knows how to work the system. Matter of fact, this Saturday, I believe the NAACP is having an event in the downtown area, the Grand Wayne Center, September 16, 2006 at 6:00 p.m., but the media already knew this.

So who's zooming who?

WAl-Market has marked it's spot

Wal-Mart appears to be a hot topic for the southside, or is the topic Rev. Michael Latham or the NAACP? Let's see, the new Wal-Mart will open with limited hours on the southside, but not at it's other stores which are not located in a highly populated African-American and Latino population. Hmm, let's take a moment pause, before continuing. Next, the new Wal-Mart will not have a lay-away because lay-aways will be discontinued at the other stores sometime around November.

Wait a minute, so that MEANS that folks can still place lay-aways at the north stores, meaning the folks who are more than likely budgeting for Christmas who could use a lay-away with have to go north to shop. Well, I think MetroEdge explained this littl drama as float--the number of dollars that leave the African-American community to NEVER RETURN.


Now, Mr. Latham, he has charged discrimination, well a powerful word indeed!!! But, look at the demographics and it speaks for itself. You would think the powers to be would want folks to spend their dollars in their store located in their own neighborhood, by meeting their clients needs...that just business sense. If not, it could only mean one thing, discrimination.
And Mr. Latham ain't my friend, but he's definitely got a big point on this here issue, if I say so myself!!!

NAACP.

That acronym speaks power..just sitting there by itself, but it respresents lots and lots of people. African-Americans alone spends billions of dollars the day during the Christmas shopping season, and I don't think, the Wal-Mart wants word to get out that it is not playing fair to its customers because it is located in a neighborhood that is made up of a large number of African-Americans and Latinos? And I would think that the raced whited folks would be a little upset too, by Wal-Mart treating them different simply because they live among these African-Americans and Latinos.

I don't think it's a Scott's store thing either, because, Rev. Latham would be jumping for joy over Wal-Mart closing early. We (meaning African-Americans) know discriminate when we see it, hear it or read about it, Wal-Mart stores on the northside , not Scotts, does not want the competition. What happened to equal opportunity? Yes sir, in the words of an African-American about spending dollar, SHUT THEM DOWN (that is on the northside). But, that's just MY opinion.

CAlling all african-americans voters

Mike Smith reports on the Democrat Convention held June 3, 2006. The theme was a Ditch Mitch. This message was more than likely aimed at independents and nonloyal republicans.

What I was searching for was some type of award that was being handed out by the Democratic leadership to the African-Americans community. Somethinh, like a "pimped out" award that targeted African-American' groups like the Urban Coalition to mobilize the African-American voters in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I believe one member was granted a $20,000 dollar job by the Mayor. but lordy good god of molly, the Republican party were not to be outdone, and upped the ante. With a pimped them real man job with a high salary job with a $60,000 job, to a African-American minister in the same city. Can I get an amen.

So, what does the national republican does while the Democrats are recruiting independents and unloyal republicans? Tt seems that four Black Republicans are running for statewide elections. Is this a Republican battle cry that the south will rise again, with African-Americans males on northern states ballot ticket? In an article in the Washington Post, three African-Americans will be on Republican state tickets..see article

This appears to worry the Democrats just a little. In another article published in the Indyrecorder by Hazel Trice Edney or check out Frost reporting the words of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. If anybody can holler loud enough to get the attention of the democrats, it has to be Dean.

DNC Chairman Dean can learn from Indiana's Republicans something better than just hollering in getting the attention of African-American voters. A $60,000 job was offered to Rev. Michael Latham by Mitch Rood of the FSSA. Sweet. Not a bad deal for a pastor just having a one night sleep over for the Governor of Indiana.

I am not a proponent of church and state sharing the same bed, however, I just want to note here for the Democrats, that it's better to give than to receive. The Republican led faith base initiative can only build the African-American male economical power base. Especially when the majority of churches are owned by African-American males, even if churches are not considered businesses.

In the same article found in the Indianapolis Recorder, Dean's take the position that power is simply being on the ballot and takes the place of African-Americans being at the table. Does Dean have rocks in his head? The power for African-American is still at the tablele..that is a table with like-minded inclusive thinking individuals and not those wanting to hold onto the old status quo.

Indiana Republicans may be on to something in going beyond divisive issues such as immigration, gay marriages and affirmative action. Surely employing African-American males and the provision in the contract to sell(lease) the toll road for an apprenticeship for training African-Americans for jobs will send a strong message to the Democrats to stop pimping African-American ministers like little girls.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr wrote in Why We Can't Wait, as to the cross-fire of both parties when it came to the African-American's vote and suggested the forming of an Independent party for the convergent of interest amongst the people. King and his peers marched on Washington and it was a clear example of the electoral power of those who were fed up with exclusionary policies from both parties.

The Million Man March was another clear example of the voting strength of the African-American males and their dollar powers. And of course, the Million Woman March was a statement of simply saying you ain't seen nothing until you seen African-American women come together around an issue.

It may be hard out here for a pimp, but the African-Americans needs to demand that the Democrats up their ante, and I mean up their ante!!!