Leaders meet but whose agenda is being carried?
By Nisa Islam Muhammad -Staff Writer- | Last updated: Dec 13, 2012 - 3:53:45
Black Agenda Press Announcement with National Urban League, National Action Network, NAACP, and National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Photo: Facebook/National Urban League
WASHINGTON (FinalCall.com) - Black leaders of nearly 60 organizations, representing the needs and concerns of millions of Blacks, came to the nation’s capital and met in a closed meeting to develop what many are calling a “Black Agenda.”
“The nation must commit to economic and educational parity for communities of color,” according to the written document distributed after their four-hour historic meeting of civil rights, social justice, business and community leaders.
“The plight of the African-American community underscores the urgency of our demand,” the leaders wrote. “The African-American community was disproportionately battered by the Great Recession, and has benefited the least from the fragile economic recovery. Unemployment remains unacceptably high; income inequality and the ever-widening wealth gap threaten to relegate the Black community to perpetual underclass status. And those who wish to curtail investment education and career preparation further dim the prospects for upward mobility for our young people.”
Convened by Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League; Rev. Al Sharpton of National Action Network; Ben Jealous, head of the NAACP, and Melanie Campbell who leads the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the group came up with five urgent priorities as a first step in developing a public policy agenda for Black America:
• Achieve Economic Parity for African-Americans
• Promote Equity in Educational Opportunity
• Protect and Defend Voting Rights
• Promote a Healthier Nation by Eliminating Health care Disparities
• Achieve Comprehensive Reform of the Criminal Justice System
A second meeting in 2013 will be devoted to creating specific strategies and recommendations for helping Blacks to make progress in the five major problem areas.
“This was an excellent idea that we come together. We’re not limiting our focus just on the White House because we’ve been catching hell on the local level too. I think our multi-tier approach is needed and is going to be vital as we progress,” Dr. Freddie Haynes, pastor of Dallas’ Friendship West Baptist Church told The Final Call.
Dr. Wilmer Leon, Howard University political science professor, doubts that the gathering will have major impact because it lacks a public pressure component. Many of the leaders involved have tried to stifle criticism of President Obama and have not tried to ensure that the president is accountable to Black voters, he argued.
“When you look at how public policy is made, one element is public pressure. There is no public pressure. These people met in secret and didn’t articulate exactly what type of public policy they want. The grassroots pressure is missing. There’s no groundswell of support,” said Dr. Leon.
“Instead of bringing the people’s message to the President, they are bringing the President’s message to the people. I haven’t heard Rev. Sharpton on MSNBC calling for the president to enact legislation to bring jobs to the Black community or to enact an urban education policy,” he added.(full article on FinalCall.com)
First of all,I didn't know we had SO many leaders and since we have SO many leaders,why do we have the social problems that continues to plague the black community?Another question:Now that Prez Obama is doing a 2nd term in office,what are these 60 leaders going to do now,that they haven't done,while they were leaders before Obama became president and during his 1st term?Will Obama meet their demands?What will the 60 leaders do,if Obama gives another"personal responsibility"speech,as he did in 2009?Stay tuned!
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