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The Jena 6 Case Here We Go Again
By A. Peter Bailey
It is encouraging to see so many black college students respond with such determination and emotion to the injustice inflicted on the six black high school students in Jena, Louisiana. On numerous occasions in the past decade, younger colleagues have accused me of  being stuck in the 1960s when I spoke about the consequences of continued white supremacy in this country. Hopefully, they are now receiving a lesson they won t ever forget. Those born after the Civil Rights Era should
remember White supremacists  all racists, in fact dont exclude black people on the grounds of being Protestant, Catholic,
or Muslim because they are rich or poor
because they are nationalist or integrationist or because they are Republican or Democrat. They do it because we are BLACK.
What is disturbing about the reaction to the Jena case is how it is so much like the reaction there would have been decades ago the refusal to use, or rather not use, our most powerful weapon in a capitalist country that being the over 600 billion dollars black Americans spend as a group annually. If a national corporation say CVS or Wal Mart had a branch in the Jena area, a call should be made to their headquarters noting that their manger in a small town like Jena has great influence.
Use that influence to make sure that justice is done for those students, they would be told. Or we will urge black people throughout the country to cease purchasing from your stores. That is how to use economic clout. It would be more effective in getting action from Jena authorities than a dozen demonstrations. It is time we began using this powerful weapon in the ongoing campaign for equal rights, equal opportunity and equal justice.
Mrs. Coretta Scott King
Is anyone surprised that the FBI spied on Mrs. Coretta Scott King? The FBI doesnt trust any black man, woman, or child in this country. The bureau probably has files on safe, accommodating relics like Clarence Thomas, Ward Connerly, Larry Elder, Condoleezza Rice, Star Parker, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Shelby Steele, and others of that ilk.
Again, there is a lesson in this for young black folk. There is something called the FBIs Racial Intelligence Section and the type of surveillance it did and still does is something that the younger generation should be aware of as it develops plans to combat white supremacists efforts to sustain unequal rights, unequal opportunity, and unequal justice in this country. Dont let it intimidate, but be aware of it.
Earl Graves vs. Eddie Griffin
Congratulations to Earl Graves of Black Enterprise for bouncing comedian Eddie Griffin off the stage for his sophomoric use of profanities and the Nword in a performance at Black Enterprise Annual Golf and Tennis Championship. Graves was one of a very few prominent figures who supported Dr. C. DeLores Tucker when she launched her campaign against what she called the unholy coalition between gangstas from the streets and gangstas from the suites those who pollute the minds and souls of black children. Many of those people now proclaim to be righteous warriors against the purveyors of the cultural toxin crippling the lives of black youngsters were mostly AWOL when Dr. Tucker was viscously attacked in the lyrics of some prominent gangsta rappers.
Griffin and those who share his attitude justify their position by insisting they are keeping it real. The slogan, much like tell it like it is in the 1960s, has become a smokescreen for visionless, greeddriven performers misleadingly labeled as artists. Black folk dont need anyone to tell us like it is or to keep it real we can stand on a corner in any urban setting and see that for ourselves free of charge. True artists not only tell it like it is or keep it real, but also use their artistic vision to tell it like it can be, should be, must be if we are going to grow and progress as individuals and as a group.
Army Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has been quoted as saying that the Iraq war is largely about oil. This statement will only be a surprise to those who are willfully ignorant about world affairs. The children of lowincome and working class Americans, not to mention mostly lowincome Iraqis  many of those Iraqis with money and connections have left the country , are being maimed and killed mainly for two reasons so that Iraqs vast oil reserves will enable the continued growth of oil millionaires in this country and the average American can continue to pay less for gas than anyone else in the world. Perhaps thats another reason that middle and upper
income people in the country arent so riled up about the war in Iraq. After all,
its no skin off their backs that Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown a black soldier from Pritchard, Alabama, and the father of 9 and 13yearold daughters was recently killed in Iraq while on his fourth tour of duty.
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Bush, Israel, Syria, Iran, and World War III
By C.B. Forde
In early September, an Israeli fighter jet made an incursion into Syrian air space to attack a specific target. The incident was first reported in the news as a rumor but has since been confirmed by the Israeli and Syrian governments. At the time of the incident many Middle East analysts ascertained that the Israeli attack was a cloaked message directed towards Iran. The message being that their nuclear facilities can be attacked at anytime with ease and impunity.
The Israeli fighter jet apparently slipped into Syrian airspace undetected by utilizing advanced American stealth technology. According to the Israeli government, the target was a building that was intended to house a nuclear reactor which was being manufactured by the North Koreans. Both Syria and North Korea have denied working to construct a nuclear facility in Syria. I doubt the validity of the Israeli intelligence. If North Korea were developing a nuclear facility in Syria, the international community would have been in an uproar. If the Israelis knew about the nuclear facility, the Americans knew if the Americans knew the British would also have known and the information would have circulated amongst high level diplomatic channels worldwide.
Furthermore, North Korea has recently pledged to end its development of nuclear weapons and shut down their reactors in exchange for economic aid. The presidents of North and South Korea recently helped a historic summit aimed at establishing a peace agreement between the two nations. Given these developments, I doubt that North Korea would be developing a nuclear reactor with Syria without the International community raising any concerns. However, anything is possible.
Unfortunately, whether or not the target was a planned nuclear facility does not really matter in this international incident. What is imperative is that Israeli war plans were able to penetrate Syrian air space with ease, destroy a target, and return home with immunity. Neither the Arab nations nor the international community raised a single voice of concern. Furthermore, if Syria were beginning to develop nuclear weapons with the North Koreans a more prudent step would have been to address this issue through international diplomatic channels rather than a military air strike which could have further destabilized the Middle East. But Syria is just a pawn in this game of international chess, and the real target of the AmericanIsraeli aggression is Iran and its nuclear facilities.
Syria is Irans only ally in the region. The Russianmade Syrian radar system was supposedly purchased by Iran and might be the same Thor missile system that Iran has purchased to protect its own nuclear facilities. Russia has reportedly dispatched technicians to Syria to investigate how the U.S. technology defeated its radar systems. Iran, in anticipation of an attack, has been purchasing a significant number of weapons from Russia and preparing plans to attack Israel and Western targets in the region if a preemptive strike is launched against them.
The Israeli military attack on the alleged Syrian nuclear facility was a perfect litmus test for the international communitys reaction to a preemptive strike on Irans nuclear facilities. However, an attack on Iran would have catastrophic consequences for the world.
Iran is one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations. Its the 18th largest country in the world in terms of area and has a population of over seventy million people. Iran borders Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq and, most importantly, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. Because of its geographically central location it is also in proximity to Europe, Africa, and South and Central Asia. Iran is in a position to strike back at any aggression with the new weaponry it has purchased from Russia. Furthermore, Iran occupies an important position in international energy security and world economy due to its large reserves of petroleum and natural gas. A military conflict with Iran will severely effect the worlds supply of energy.
Unlike Iraq after 10years of economic and military sanctions, Irans infrastructure is intact and its president maintains popular support amongst the nations working class and poor. Irans geographic location would enable it to impede shipments of oil along the Persian Gulf just look at the map. In order to guarantee the safe shipment of oil from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, western forces would have to occupy a significant portion of coastal Iran. With a population of over seventy million, and technologically advanced Russian weapons, occupation will not be an easy task to accomplish.
A preemptive AmericanIsraeli air strike on Iran would lead to a regional conflict and eventually World War III. Iran will certainly retaliate by bombing Israeli and American military positions in the region, especially American bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. An attack on Iran would pull Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and Turkey in to a regional war. Yes, Turkey. Remember the TurkishKurdish conflict? Furthermore, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia would be destabilized because of their internal conflicts. The entire Middle East would erupt into a war zone. The interesting question is what would Russia do?
The Middle East is getting very chilly the Cold War is back. Iran and Russia will call the AmericanIsraeli bluff. All we can do is hope and pray for the best.
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Playing Politics
By Anthony C. Rucker
How many of us have seen Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton lecture on election politics, lobbying, or the reform of state policies concerning the Electoral College? I dont mean to complain about these issues but instead give instruction on how to use these issues to our benefit. That is one of our major problems how can we as a people seriously consider a Black man making a run for office when the people we are looking to for support dont know what theyre doing? Pride notwithstanding, as a people, African Americans have to admit that we are largely ignorant of how politics work not what happens, but how it happens. Until we master the how, we will always be playing politics instead of participating. Participating means having a say in the creation of laws and policies. Playing means protesting after laws and policies have been shaped when you already have been harmed by them. We play at politics, we dont participate in politics.
A guy once told me, Its not about who is in office, its about the people who influence them. As if is impossible for the people, the Black constituents who voted the elected official in office, to proactively influence them. Protest rallies, when they are your only political process are not politicking, I countered, they are begging. The organizer disagreed saying, Rallying is effective and it is a political process.
Let me clarify my point People hold protest rallies when they have been totally ignored by the system or have no other recourse. Youve never seen the Democratic or Republican parties hold protest rallies. They dont have to rally, as they dont feel control is beyond them. The main problem with rallying is the need for a victim or for an individual or group of individuals to be at the end of their political rope in order for rallying to have a purpose. In lieu of an ineffective or unjust political process, what would be the need to protest or rally?
Im tired of waiting for us to be victimized just so we can exercise our right to free speech and economic choice. Lets use our voice before we are bound and ducttaped. Lets exercise our economic muscle and influence to increase our options and possibilities instead of waiting to use it to minimize our pain and liabilities. It is nice to know that we can overcome adversity, but it is better to know that we can put ourselves in a position where we most likely wont have to. Although I think this is basic common sense, as a mentor once said, Common sense aint so common anymore.
Anthony Rucker is world renowned poet, educator, and
author known for his political and social insights. He is
also a relationship expert, lecturer, and coach.
The Blog: Relationships Race and Gender
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Progression in the Midst of Regression The Jena 6
By Risa Dixon
The Jena 6 has become a popular phrase that has sent shock waves throughout the Black Community. This nickname was given to the six high school students convicted of attempted murder after a fight with their white schoolmates. The fight was the result of numerous forms of racial persecution against the Black students. The incident has been viewed as a major setback, not only for Blacks but for America as a whole. On the contrary, this tragedy has somehow manifested a domino effect of unity amongst the Black community, especially its young people.
Throughout the years, many adults have frowned upon the lifestyle and mental psyche of their younger counterparts. I have heard many refer to people within my age group I am 22 as a lost generation. They state that we have forgotten those who sacrificed and gave their lives so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. When there was an injustice within the community patrons, young and old would come together and rally until those wrongs were made right.
The atrocity that has been and still is going on with those six students from Jena, Louisiana has made some feel that we are going backwards instead of forwards. But the rallies, protests, and lectures are reminiscent of the actions of those who marched in the civil rights movement in hopes that we would not have to face such blatant racism again.
Instead of being criticized for their short comings, our young people should be applauded and celebrated for the zeal and profound organizational skills they posses. Schools all over the nation came together and took a stand, holding a day of Black Solidarity on September 20th to proclaim justice for the Jena 6. It is truly a refreshing sight to see universities from as near as St. Johns and Howard to as far as the University of Texas unite for a common cause that is sure to be recorded in the history books.
Empowerment and love for ones culture are not dead but indeed very much alive as shown through the actions of our young people. Powerful voices in the hip hop community such as, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and the Hip Hop Political convention members recently called for a national student walk out on October 1st. Schools that participated in this day of protest included NYU, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Columbia University, and San Francisco State University.
The ludicrous actions taken against the Jena 6 are not only a back flash to the injustices faced during the civil rights movement, but also a fire that burns within a people for equal rights and the promise of the right to the pursuit of happiness as detailed within the United States constitution.
This generation is not lost. Some may go astray, but when it is time to fight for justice they come back to their roots for motivation and guidance.
All hope is not lost. Our young people have demonstrated, in the words of Frederick Douglass, If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
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Yes, That Freddy Adu Kid Won the Game of Life
By Maurice Downes
In a country ingrained with the rituals of its traditional sports baseball, basketball and American football, the story of Freddy Adu might seem to America to be one of rollercoaster fate with an inconclusive ending. But thats not true at all. His story is actually quite typical of the burgeoning of many international soccer stars footballers as they are known to the world. There's the splashy opener, the years of mediocrity, the one event where he shows his worth, and finally a bow on the world stage. The reason why the American sports viewing public may get confused and wonder what really happened to Freddy Adu is that the sport involved is still so damned foreign to these shores. But rest assured, this is how it goes in the worlds most popular game soccer in America but Football to the rest of the world.
In America, the path to sportsrelated riches, and perhaps later debauchery and infamy, usually starts out with a legendary showing in high school or college, a high rating in the
draft, followed by a stint as a bottom feeder with a subpar team, trades to incrementally better teams. Then lo and behold, youre suddenly a star. Thats not exactly what happened with the little soccer wunderkind from Ghana, and youll be forgiven for wondering whether or not the story had or will have a happy ending.
Yes, Freddys story began with him as a soccer child prodigy in the West African country of Ghana. In Ghana he reportedly outplayed boys three times his age. He moved from Ghana to the U.S., when his mother became the winner of a greencard lottery. The preternatural abilities he exhibited in his native land would come through financially in America. Freddy Adu became an American immigrant success story. His was the youngest prosigning in about a century, and he became a marketing maven. America is a sucker for a ragstoriches tale. Freddy Adu was confident in interviews but not overbearing and mature beyond his years.
However, the miracle that was to be Freddy Adu would come to languish a bit in Americas professional soccer league. Yes, he was the brightest star of the moment outshining previous lights like Landon Donovan or DeMarcus Beasley, but in honesttogoodness grownup competition he was being found out. He wasnt muscular enough, wasnt mature enough, wasnt enough
to put in a performance where it truly counted in an already starstudded DC United lineup, though Adu would win a Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup with them in 2004. Soon all the previous talk of making a bow at famed clubs like Manchester United would grow a little quiet in the wake of a contentious relationship with former coach Peter Nowak and Adus trade to lowly Real Salt Lake. And before anybody decides to burn my office down to the ground for such a slight against the great footy tradition of Utah, lets get it straight as of 2007, MLS has focused on promoting DC United and the LA Galaxy, while largely ignoring all the other teams. Why MLS feels the need to be the one sport not dominated by a few marquee teams should be utterly baffling to anybody with a working reality gland. A little competitive jealousy goes a long way to improving the quality of the MLS product, which is sub par compared to other international leagues.
Freddy Adu seemed doomed to a status somewhere between Ryan Leaf and Rex Grossman pardon the American football analogy. That is to say, he showed flashes of brilliance here and there during his time with DC United, but he certainly didnt appear to be the savior that American soccer needed. He seemed doomed to wander around Major League Soccer for a bit and perhaps make one or two appearances with the senior U.S. National Team someday before drifting off into mild obscurity. But as such things go in the world of soccer football. His true talent became apparent as the captain of the U.S. team in this years U20 World Cup for players under 20 years of age. It would be in this starring role that his miraculous performance would inject a fresh breath of life into his ongoing story which resulted in Adu signing with the Portuguese Football Club Benfica.
True, Benfica, as a powerhouse in Portuguese club soccer, doesnt carry the heft of diamondlevel names like Manchester United, AC Milan, or Bayern Munich but they are no minnows either. The United States U20 team put in a brave, if mildly underwhelming, performance losing in the quarter finals 21 to Austria. The team took their lead from one Freddy Adu. As a player who now gets to benefit from the experience of slugging it out in a moreestablished league, one has to imagine that he will feature prominently in the future plans of the senior U.S. National Team.
This may seem like a razors edge way of making the grand stages of a major sport, but this trajectory of a young international prodigy moving overseas as a child, finding his feet, and achieving major yet sudden accomplishments mirrors the early careers of several of the
worlds great football soccer stars perhaps we will see similar stories the more U.S. soccer improves. So has Freddy Adu lived up to the considerable hype? No one knows what impact he will have at Benfica, if any. No one knows how he will perform when, or if, hes selected for the World Cup. Hes not even the best American player Brian McBride is better in the air, Clint Dempsey is a better scorer, and DeMarcus Beasley has better acceleration. What is important to consider is that Adu is starting to blossom into a truly talented international footballer, and he is far better than anyone in his age group in this country. Soccer players often hit their peak around 27 or 28. Freddy Adu is already better than most and he is only 18.
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