Symbolic Lynching... So When Did Trees Start Bearing Cardboard? Strange Fruit?

Earlier this week, an effigy of presidential candidate, Barack Obama was found hanging from a tree at George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon. The cardboard representation of the political figure was adored with a flyer protesting the University's Minority Recruitment Program (Act Six). Am I the only one outraged? Although officials from the university have repudiated the offense and expressed their disappointment about the racially charged incident, but should the University do more? How about a forum about the climate of racism on their campus? George Fox University has a 2% African American student population. This event cannot be one in isolation, I am almost certain that more acts of intolerance have occurred on this campus.

This year's Presidential Election will challenge our country's reliance on the modern construct of enlightened racism. A view that the Huxtable's, especially how strikingly articulate those character are, show that African American can advance in life if they only "try." Why this country has always been a meritocracy, some would purport. I guess I must have been out of the country summering indefinitely in the south of France because in most cases success is far, very far, removed from merit. Juxtaposing Obama and the opposition to the Act Six demonstrates that some people are not ready for change. Especially if a program that contributes 16 students out of 1800, let's do the math (16/1800=.008), which means that less than 1% of the entire student population at George Fox participate in this initiative. Expressly, the students recruited under this program represent less than 1% of the total population at this institution. Thus, if people are not ready for a 0.8 percent change, are they ready for a 100% change? There is only one president and since the inception of the president in the United States that office has been exclusively served by White men. Is America ready for a Black man to interrupt this trend? Or will another debacle in Florida commence on November 4th?

We need to explore this issue of racism in this country because race has real consequences and result in policies, legislation, and customary practices that disadvantage millions throughout this great land of ours. How? When? Where? A great mentor told me that the first solution to issues is to have a discussion about the process of resolution. We have to problematize issues of race and sit down and develop a process to respond accordingly. Hanging Obama from a tree signifies the tremendous strides we have to take, notice that is not in the past or present tense, if we wish to live in a racial equitable society. We have to break the silence, not only between racial minorities, but with people of all racial and ethnic origins. EVERYONE should take a stake in ensuring that racism is no longer tolerated. Racism robs us from realizing our commonalities and actualizing our potential to endeavor into true greatness.

What do you think? Comment freely, I am always open to learning.

Here is the link to the article: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/obama_effigy

One.

When the Party's Over

I was reading some of the headlines from the local newspaper in Chicago, when I came across this alarming, yet common story. Another Black teen was senselessly killed early yesterday morning. While the brevity of the story does not provide many details, it did mention that he was leaving a party on the South Side of Chicago when he got in an altercation that eventually lead to his untimely death. Was it worth it? What does the culpable assailant have as result of taking this young man's life?

As I seat in Wisconsin, my heart begins to ache when I think of the conditions of inner city Chicago. While I grew on those same streets nearly four years ago, Chicago is definitely a "new" place, almost another world. Every week there seems to be countless deaths and a myriad of mourners who have to live with the emptiness that death brings. As Marvin Gaye posits, what's going on? There is a new boldness in young people today, however that boldness is not being channeled into positive endeavors. Gang affiliations are creeping back in prominence, as educational attainment in the African American community is severely declining. Students are arming themselves with weapons instead of knowledge. Chicago is becoming a breeding ground for violence and the site of the perpetuation of imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and eventually the denial of citizenship for many African American males.

At the tender age of seventeen, did he even have a chance? A chance to pursue higher education. A chance to impact others with his intellect. A chance to transcend the institutional and societal barriers that young, Black men experience each day. Unfortunately, this young man did not get a chance, it was stolen by the shear disregard placed on life these days.

We have to figure out some type of way to reach these young people and give them back their agency. They need to see positive reflections of themselves and hear reaffirming things about their intelligence, beauty, and worth. These young people are not their circumstances, they need not wade in the obscurity of mediocrity. They have to take their place in the front and not the rear. We have to offer our FUTURE, hope and a belief in their talents and abilities.

My prayers and condolences go out to this family at this challenging time and to all of those who have lost a family member to gun violence. To read the story go to the following link:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1175252,partyshoot092008.article

Take the City indeed...

Update Coming Soon!

I wanted to give this my all and now I am committing to it. I will be difficult, but its time to share with the world! I will be posting really soon, stay tuned!