by Tiya Cunningham-Sumter
Sunday night my eyes were glued to the television. Not for any sitcom or reality show, but because of the televised “black agenda” discussion along with being able to witness the historical passing of Health Care Reform.
The majority of my focus went to “The Black Agenda” discussion. The panel included Tavis Smiley (Moderator), Minister Louis Farrakhan, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, Jesse Jackson, Dr. Julianne Malveaux and other Chicago-area politicians, activists and educators. I was only able to watch one hour, so in fairness to the panelist, I could have honestly missed what I am about to discuss. From what I experienced, with exception to Minister Farrakhan and Angela Glover Blackwell (founder of PolicyLink), the underlying message appeared to be nothing more than a gripe session. I heard mostly complaints about President Obama’s administration. I have never been real big on just talking about a problem. If we come with a complaint always follow up with a viable solution, with what you plan to do. If ever any of us feels that someone else is dropping the ball, let’s pick it up and take care of it. Wherever one of us is weak, anyone can step in and take action. I do agree that the President should be held accountable for what he promised to do, but here’s what we all can do to further the black agenda on local levels:
- Volunteer ““ in schools, in your neighborhood or on weekends to help clean up our communities
- Mentor young black people on the importance of education and young black parents on parenthood. Teach them parenting skills so they can raise future leaders.
- Pass along job leads, help people learn interviewing and resume writing skills.
- Give financially to charities and community service organizations to enable them to continue the services they provide. Every little bit helps.
- Pray for our President, our people and our communities.
Together we can hold each other accountable for The Black Agenda, because all of us can do more and we absolutely should.
BMWK, what do you think about the “Black Agenda” discussion? Should there be one? Should the President have the “Black Agenda” on his radar?
By Tiya Cunningham-Sumter, a Certified Life & Relationship Coach, Founder of Life Editing, creator of The Black Wives’ Club and an Administrator of Still Dating My Spouse.
Carla G. says
I do not think the president should have a ‘black agenda’. Granted he is the first black president of the United States but he is president of the United States, not just black America. He has to govern for ALL Americans, not just black Americans. Additionally, we as black people know what’s wrong in our communities. By simply making a better effort to do exactly what was outlined in the article would be a great start to make our communities better. I am not making light of the disenfranchisement set on us historically by this country. However, WE have the power to make a difference. We’ve survived in spite of adversity so we can make a difference right here, right now, regardless of who the president is. I also HATE when people gripe but don’t follow up with viable solutions. I’m tired of the griping and b*tching, I am only interested in solutions at this point.
saraileads says
I wish I could have chimed in on this broadcast. Thanks for watching and sharing 🙂
Kim Crouch says
I think there should be a Black Agenda but this doesn’t require the president to lead it or be the spokesperson for it because after all he is president of the United States. I believe Pres. Obama is doing what he is suppose to. However your suggestions are spot on in terms of how we as members of the community need to lead the black agenda in the ways you discussed and many other ways. The black agenda is not about one person but all of us that make up that community.
.-= Kim Crouch´s last blog ..Dire Learning: What Every Mom Raising Sons Must Know Now =-.
TJ says
The “Black Agenda” really? Our President has been in office for one year and passed healthcare reform, expanded aid to HBCU’s, provided tax credits to turn the economy around, did I mention “Cash for Clunkers”. How many of us got new rides, raise your hands. These are just to name a few. Did any Black Americans benefit from any of these items. Who does healthcare reform include, low income Americans, and how does Black Americans fit into this? We are the lowest income earners. This panel is out of touch with Black Americans living the “Black Agenda” everyday. We contribute to our alma mater (HBCU’s or not) for those that come behind us. We raise our kids proud to be who they are. We maintatin wonderful relationships with our husbands and wives. We are mentors. We pass along a job leads. We are always Praying for our President. This panel hasn’t donated to local schools so that every kid will have a book to take home, so what can they tell me about the “Black Agenda”? Nothing.
Roger Madison says
I watched this “conversation” and came away disappointed. I keep hoping that these events will rise above entertainment and actually producethe seeds of action that make a difference for anyone other than the publicity profile for the participants. the only thing accomplished was that each participant once again put forward their personal “infomercial for their personal agendas.”
When substantive comments about how elements of the Obama Agenda were having direct impacts on Black needs and priotities, these actions — Jobs Bill, Title I benefits, Education initiatives, HBCU support, and various elements of the Stimulus program — were waved away as “not enough.” I don’t recall any mention of the Healthcare Reform battle that was going on that will significantly help those disproportionately impacted by unemployment and poverty.
The obvious recognition that — Black people must own the Black Agenda — was simply not acted upon. Complaints don’t make an agenda. The NAACP, Urban League, PUSH, National Action Network, all have individual agendas. There are many others. This group failed to differentiate betweeen complaints, begging, effective advocacy, and demands. There was no effort to aggregate Black complaints and bind them into a Black demands. If we could do this, then we can work OUR BLACK AGENDA.
As long as popular Black talking heads are content to bask in the spotlight only to promote their own sound bites, then we will suffer from an impotent Black Agenda.
TCB says
President Obama is president of the American people, not just Africa-Americans. It is up to us at a local level to implement the bulleted points outlined in the article. Anything else comes off as like we are begging or feeling entitled to something. And that just reenforces the negative stereotypes of African-Americans we have all heard before. I was just at the local Jewish Community Center the other day, looking for daycare options as they are open to the community. That Community Center is a fine example of a cultural group coming together to provide a beautiful resource to the their members and the greater community. An excerpt from their statement of purpose reads “builds connections to the Jewish community in a setting that enriches physical, mental and spiritual growth.” Surely we can all mobilize locally in a similar manner to accomplish the same.
k christ says
every group or community has an Agenda, and we as black people should have one to you vote someone in office who supports your needs or agenda. 97% of the black community voted for him so the black agenda should be on his agenda.every other group or community that help put him in office have tried or is getting some of there needs met. black people need to stop worrying about what other races may think or say when we start asking that our needs be met!!!!!!!! p.s. we should not have to beg for what is ours.
Ayanna says
I so agree Tiya!
Sarah says
I agree 1000% with your post and the comments left. Let me just add that the “black agenda” has to include CREATING WEALTH THROUGH BUSINESS! If we are going to live in a capitalist country we need to be full participants in it and that means we need to OWN BUSINESSES!
Francois says
I agree we have to focus on the Black Agenda but how many of us know about the White Agenda. We see the effects everyday in our communities, schools, and families. It is about time we make America responsible for running a prison industrial complex against Black and Brown people. What gets me so upset is so soon we forget the purported studies and findings of academia. Just a few overwhelming stats for your consumption in 1970 there were 300,00 people incarcerated in the US and now there is 2.3 million and guess who has always been the majority there. If you said Black and Brown people ding ding you are correct and the disturbing fact is minorities currently make up 85% of the current inmate population and for every three black men one of them will be a felon. Is it not obvious that once you become a felon you lose majority of your constitutional freedoms and since minorities are the ones most affected by these stigmas it serves t show why the White Agenda is not to keen on fixing the problem. Instead they implement further privatization of correctional institution in rural White areas and those communities benefit from an increased population in governmental subsidies. Listen to formulate our Agenda we must truly understand how we targeted. Please read this article get a better understanding of the mass incarceration of minorities click or paste in your address bar https://pureblacktruth.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/the-new-nigger-has-been-resurrected/.
I’ll leave you with this once youre branded a felon, you may be denied the right to vote; automatically excluded from juries; and legally discriminated against in employment, housing, access to education and public benefits. You know, the very rights that we supposedly won for African Americans in the civil rights movement no longer exist for those labeled felons. Thats why I say we have not ended racial caste in America; weve merely redesigned it. All the old forms of discrimination, the forms of discrimination we supposedly left behind, are now perfectly legal once youve been labeled a felon. And thanks to the war on drugs, millions of people of color have been branded felons for relatively minor drug activity, you know, in the past few decades.
Tiya says
I agree with the previous posts. A black agenda should not be the sole responsiblity of our President. We are all responsible for each other. I agree Roger, I also walked away very disappointed because I was looking for solutions. I already know where we are suffering (in terms of education, black on black crime, foreclosures and job loss) I was just waiting to hear, now here’s what we’re going to do about it. Please I’m just ready to stop talking and start taking action, talking is not working, our babies are dying in the streets, being beaten to death, and people are losing hope. Please let’s just take action! Don’t get me started on the criminal justice system. It is set up to destroy our young men, we have to help them make smarter choices by giving them more options. Majority of population (in jail) is non-violent drug conviction (80%) that’s in Chicago. We need each other and now. Time out for talking about it.
Jade Ivy says
I completely agree that if African Americans in this country feel that the president isn’t solving issues pertaining to the black agenda, then they should take initiative and solve the issues themselves. The black community is notorious for “talking the talk” but very seldom do we “walk the walk.” President Obama is not just the voice of the black community but the voice for Americans. We have to stop blaming others for our issues and start fixing our issues now!
Anna says
First off let me start by saying I only read the first line of every comment. I don’t think because our President being black that he has to have a “Black Agenda”. What’s wrong with a “People Agenda”? Every race flocked to the polls to vote him in. Some were first time voters. A/Any President can’t make mountains move. I pray that those who voted for Our President also vote for who represents all in their state. We are the ones who vote our Politicians in Office that make things happen in our community. If you don’t vote, don’t complain. If you only voted to get a black man in office and don’t cast your vote in your own community and think that a President will do good for all you better beware. It’s local Politicians that make things happen in the community you live in. Our President gets veto after veto. He can’t make things happen if we don’t elect the person who best represents us. I appreciate the people that I vote for in my community.
Carl A. Patton says
EXCERPT: TAKEN FROM THE FREEDOMJOURNAL ARCHIVES 1999
BLACKS SHOULD SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY OF BLACK LEADERSHIP
By Carl A. Patton
It is no doubt that Black leaders should be held accountable for their performance as public servants. Whether elected are appointed, those that hold leadership positions in the Black community should be responsible. Thus, they should be sensitive to the concerns of those they represent. Representing Blacks does not mean to exclude Whites, from our point view it clearly means include Blacks.
Thus, when Blacks gain public office or gain leadership positions they should include Blacks. This simply means they should support the interests and concerns that are particular to the Black community. Surely it is no mystery that historically Blacks have not had the opportunity to have certain leadership figures. This most especially can be seen in the political arena.
So it seems to be quite logical that now that we can have some elected representation that they should be responsible. Accountability is described as the state of accountable; responsibility. Thus, accountability rests in being basically responsible and answerable.
Leadership positions are very important to us as a people. Therefore, intelligent Black people want Black leaders to carry out the wishes of the majority of the people in the Black community. Throughout America many Black leaders have lost sight of responsibility. In the process they have worked in the interest of the dominant and majority White community. Attempting to turn wrong into right these traitors often create unnecessary friction between Blacks and Whites and fuel racist backlashes.
These Blacks are called traitors because there is a difference between traitor and enemy. A traitor is someone that commits an act that is clearly illogical. For example a son or daughter that attacks his parents, the mother and father that have fed and clothed him from birth is a traitor. The son or daughter is part of the family or group. Thus, to willfully hurt those that love you (your own family or group) is worst that being attacked by one’s enemy.
Therefore, since the history of Black leadership in America has been led by traitors, we need to make some changes. Black people should not vote for Blacks that do not represent their interest. When Blacks are appointed that do not work in the interest of Black people that should not be accepted by the Black community. As we count down to the year 2000, we don’t need what can be described as traditional Black leadership. These leaders need to be held accountable.
Virtuous_beauty7 says
Yes, you should've watched the whole thing, esp Minister Farrakhan. The Black Agenda is not about griping, but moving coming agains complacency and moving our people towards change. Those suggestions you have made are things our people have been doing and it is not enough… if you truly believe that it will make all the difference we will need. You are blind my friend, so very blind to what is happening all around you and need to educate yourself about yourself. If it was your child in the crisis most black children are in or your family that esperiencing the worst from all that is going on you would not be so complacent … but it is your children and your family, if you consider yourself black and love yourself. It is an issue of love for self caused by white supremicsm that got us here n we need to get together and do for self, if we are going to rise above where we are… and we will. I wonder what would have happened if Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr, and Harriet Tubman would have said lets just volunteer and donate money… lol … we need to keep our money in the black community! Do for self! Lord help our people to wake up!
Tiya says
Thank you for your passionate comment Virtuous_Beauty7. These were just my ideas, but I am also looking for others to not just criticize, but also their input. Please share your suggestions also on how to take back our communities, educate our children and provide a promising future. Let's make this a brainstorm right here right now. I'm open and willing to listen and learn. Please share, my suggestions were just a place to start not the be all and end all by no means.
rob says
I find a lot of black women have attitude(this nasty disposition), i have a feeling they think it’s cool; they are repugnant. I practically can smell it as they brush by me. This doesn’t come from the time of slavery as some would say. It is learned behaviour. If a black mother constantly gives her daughter attitude, thinking its discipline they are mistaken. You must play with your kids, hug them and love them, oh and be gentle when you speak to them ,don’t be so rough
Sholomon says
“The real black agenda is as a people we still let any race kill are black leaders or put are leaders in jail useing lie’s like the US Government did to Dr,Malachi Z. York and all Native American: Yamassee tribe of Native Americans,Who has their own Constitution inwhich the U.S.A don’t respect. Tavis Smiley and Cornel west or Jesse Jackson who know the man York has never said anything about the wrong and unfair teatment about his case. so the truth about the black agender should be getting the facts on any case about what a black teacher or leader has done for or by his own people.