I was inspired to do this blog as I watched the up swell of interest in the African American community. I firmly believe that the candidacy of Barack Obama for the highest office in the land has to do with that, not with standing the last 7 years of the Bush Administration. The political process has always been apart of me. My parents always engaged so it was natural for me. My Mom was very active in the Civil Rights Movement so I had best of both worlds. As we move through this primary season and on to the general election, , I find myself fielding a lot of questions from friends and family as to what is really going on, particularly with these super-delegates. This is not only unusual for me because I never experienced an election that might come down to super-delegates making the final decision but I am usually making the calls to keep my friends and family engaged. The more and more I get into this, the more I feel compelled to speak out, especially with the super-delegates that are elected officials, particularly with the Congressional Black Caucus members. Thus far with the exception of The Honorable Charles Rangel, there has not been an African American district that has gone to Senator Hillary Clinton. Initially, I felt oh well I'm only one person, one vote. However, there seems to be growing sentiment within the African American community about this. Now we're more than one person one vote. What do we do about this? Do we hold them accountable for their vote? Do we hold them accountable about anything? Do we want our elected officials to be the collective voices of their constituents or do we want them to lead and tell us what's best for us? I think they should reflect the positions of their constituents. So I decided to put this Web Blog together to see what you think. To see if we should take action. In fairness, our elected officials have represented us well, however, is it time for change? Have the political alliances they have developed over the years been more important than our voices? Political alliances are very important to build consensus and to get important legislation passed. Does this outweigh the will of the people? You decide... I have listed on other pages the Congressional Black Caucus members that have endorsed Senator Clinton. I would like to keep this page as informative as I can and I'm looking forward to your thoughtful insight.
Donald Blount
Email :dlblount@takepoliticalaction.org
Apparently I need to go to bed because I posted this on the main page unintentionally. :o)
I promised I would spread the word and share my perspective so here I am (with a couple of minutes to spare J.)
My sentiments are very much like Robin's with regards to this election in comparison to 2004. I am especially passionate about this election. For me, as a young professional black woman, the outcome directly impacts the quality of life afforded to me and the generations that follow. The right to vote should not be taken lightly. I say this not only because many have suffered and even died for it but also, who we allow to ‘represent’ us through our voice or the lack of it, speaks to who we are and what we want for our families and ourselves. Senator Obama speaks for me. He is the candidate who exhibits good character and genuine concern for the people as oppose to the politics. He is not afraid to make an unpopular decision and stand by it because it is what is just. He seeks to unify and heal where others look to segregate further. He is hope that change is possible and we too can strive beyond what we thought was possible.
Posted by: Danielle Outerbridge | March 15, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Devan, I couldn't agree with you more sir.. We've been taught to feel discarded, discounted, dysfunctional disillusioned for so long that it's sad to see us do it to ourselves. I cast my vote for Bill Clinton in 92 96 yet haven't voted since due to how things went down in Florida regarding G. Bush jr as a result of him being elected President. I took that very hard made a personal decision to totally back away from politics all together. UNTIL I heard Senator Obama. His words are galvinizing this country putting many people in the mind frame of JFK. I'm amazed @ how many young people he has touched if they don't take it from him give it to Hillary, he'll beat McCane by a land slide.
Posted by: Kirk Pacley | March 09, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Bra Blount.. My man... I do apologize for taking so long to get in the game (this wonderful blog), but as our great ancestor's used to say,, "I'z here now!!!" :)
Posted by: Kirk Pacley | March 09, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I’ve asked myself what do I think of this election and one word comes to mind, the word, “Passion”. Passion if you look up it’s meaning in the dictionary you may find, “strong feeling; an object of affection or enthusiasm”.
I think of the 2004 election and one word still resonates, Anger, “a strong feeling of displeasure”.
More clearly than ever before in our lives and times of this universe and based on our experiences in the world we are witnessing a great man with a gift to people. And if you can wrap your mind around the context of the word “hope” it is truly centered within the midst of it all.
The HOPE of knowing that our outlook of something impossible can be made possible. The illumination of VISION - post passion of people getting involved in the economic rehabilitation of our communities. I SEE the involvement of ordinary people injecting ourselves within the thread and fiber of UNDERSTANDING what this process means. WE CAN potentially see FUTURE resolution on issues that are legally locked in place to refrain any sense of achievement in restoring well being to human beings. For once in my lifetime there is a feeling that WE CAN all attain a reachable journey to challenge laws that were written and passed with harmful meaning to allow the recourse of history to unjustifiably repeat itself. Yes, assault and battery has kept the word struggle alive and well. Our parents fought through injustice and inequality in the 50's and 60's and it stopped there. NOW it would seem to one that with where we are in the fold of current events that it is critical for our MOMENTUM to be at the helm of promoting positive CHANGE.
On a side note, the vast majority of us were really taken back by Tavis Smiley's recent rantings of holding people accountable. Tavis's implications of Barack were hurting because Tavis is so admired by "our" people in "our" communities for his advocacy for the Negro in America. Consider this, it is always easy for one to look in hind sight of current events and finally get the message. He did go overboard, BUT, he had to remain steadfast to his message of, "Holding People Accountable" and those people are in fact our elected officials that WE put in office.
Getting to the Clinton’s and the Super Delegates, our familiarity during their evolution in the White House was a good memory because the economy was doing well. BUT, we were not paying close attention for which we now realize was injustice in part to harmful laws that were passed which affected our communities. When this race began I sought to go with what most of us felt was familiar. The good times of a good economy that fell under Bill Clinton. BUT, then I heard one speech that convinced me on a day that I had taken off because I was sick with a cold, felt like crap, had a low desire to do anything domestic, you know that feeling. THAT DAY was a turning point for me when I heard one of Barack Obama’s speeches. Barack's speech was truly engaging.
And to top that the Iowa Caucus! Senator Obama's victory, the most important news out of the caucus was a whopping, room-busting turnout of Democrats. 239,000 people showed up to vote Democratic (93% more than in '04, which was a record year), while only 115,000 showed up to vote Republican. And this is a red state! The Republican caucuses looked anemic. It was reported that the looks on their faces were glum, tired. As the camera followed some of them into their caucus sites, they held their heads down or turned away, sorta like criminals on a perp walk. They know their days of power are over.
Super Delegates... we all know by now that promises are in place for “our elected superficial delegates”, people that we put in office to act as a sounding board for our communities. Hmmmmmmmm, one can only wonder, right? These people are really enslaved by their own self righteousness. Think of the slave in da’masta’s house and the soft shoe mentality of doing whatever it takes to gain a little bit of freedom for themselves. My realization is that “our” elected officials are locked into an hypocrisy of a false assumption. Are we holding them accountable? Our votes gave them the power.
If anyone has an opportunity to put a question before one of “our” Super Delegate’s, or for that matter, one of “our black republican’s please ask this question, “Why does history repeat itself?”.
Donald, thank you for igniting this discussion for which I enjoy more than FOOTBALL [smiles]. I found an interesting site that everyone should add to your RSS Feeds. Politics 1, The Ultimate and Most Comprehensive Guide to U.S. Politics Elections ... since 1997 at www.politics1.com. Founded in 1997, Politics1 is published as a non-partisan public service to promote fully informed decision-making by the American electorate.
Let’s continue to take it to the next level in our hearts, communities, and world wide!
Robin Blount
Posted by: Robinette G.A. Blount | March 09, 2008 at 09:40 AM
"CHANGE" what a beautiful word. I am not politically savvy but I do know when "CHANGE" is necessary. I will admit at the beginning of the political race, I was undecided between Barack and Hillary and as time went by and as well as the many debates, it was crystal clear that the person that could provide ALL people here in the United States of America and elsewhere is Barack. In the words of Mr. Sam Cook "It's Been A Long Time Coming, But I Know, A "CHANGE" Gonna Come"
Posted by: Cheryl | March 07, 2008 at 11:05 AM
There are so many BLACKS out in this world who still don't understand the importance of having a voice in this country. Gone are the days where we had to pay for the right to vote or get hosed or beaten because we tried to vote. But you wouldn't think that was the case because so many of us are still not using that right as if you are afraid of being beaten or getting hosed. I was listening to Jesse Jackson this morning and he said that only 43 years ago was the march on Washington for the right to vote for blacks and it made me think about that we are truly, truly not understanding our role, rights, or responsibilites as blacks in this country. Some of our parents were the ones out marching to make history where it is today. Take a stand and be heard loud and clear. Get out and vote. Volunteer and help others register to vote. The political arena can be a circus sometimes and people get confused as to who to vote for because everyone always say the same thing: WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR! I for one have always followed the political arena to really decide on who I would vote for or why I would want to vote for them. Listening to Hilary Clinton makes me think of just that..WHAT I WANT TO HEAR! I am not really hearing truth from her only the things that sound good. Its like listening to a commercial, and I cant get past that about her because we have already for the past 8 years been through HELL from someone who most Americans that voted for the mess we have in office now thinking he was going to do WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR! I like Barack Obama because he speaks realistically about how he going to get things done and also the time frame in which it may take. I know the next president elected will have their work cut out for them but its up to the American people to be supportive and strive hard to get our country back to where it needs to be. I think Bill Clinton came at a time where we needed someone to cover the wounds that was created by the Republicans for so long and his timing was excellent. We are at that time again to bring in a president who has to heal wounds again from the Republicans and I believe that a change is what we need. GOD Bless Barack Obama and I look forward to him being our leader for this country!!!! Please everyone make your voice heard... Go out and vote this upcoming election. Tell everyone you know to do the same!!
Posted by: Rhoconda | March 03, 2008 at 09:06 PM
It’s called the Democratic Party, but one aspect of the party’s nominating process is at odds with grass-roots democracy.
Voters don’t choose the unpledged “super-delegates” who comprise nearly 40 percent of the number of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.
The category includes Democratic governors and members of Congress, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former vice president Al Gore, retired congressional leaders such as Dick Gephardt, and all Democratic National Committee members, some of whom are appointed by party chairman Howard Dean.
Super Delegates are not elected through the normal primary and caucus process. They are designated by party rules and include high elected officials (members of Congress and governors), party committee members and some former office holders. Unlike delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses, superdelegates are not required to stay pledged to a specific candidate. In 2008, the Democratic Party has designated 796 super delegates. An estimated 4,049 total delegates will vote at the national convention, including super delegates. A candidate needs a total of 2,025 delegate votes to win the party's nomination
Why the 'super-delegate' system?
Why did the party adopt this partly undemocratic system?
Super-delegates were supposed to supply some Establishment stability to the nominating process.
Before 1972, party elders, such as Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Charlie Buckley, the boss of The Bronx who helped John Kennedy clinch the 1960 nomination, wielded inordinate power.
But in early 1970’s, the party’s rules were reformed to open the process to grass-roots activists, women, and ethnic minorities.
Sen. George McGovern, the leading anti-Vietnam war liberal, won the 1972 nomination. McGovern turned out to be a disaster as a presidential candidate, winning only one state and the District of Columbia.
So without reverting to the days of party bosses like Buckley, the Democrats decided to guarantee that elected officials would have a bigger voice in the nomination.
Posted by: Cedric A Johnson | February 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Donald, thank you for creating this blog. It is important that we discuss our fate in this life. Remember that we are the Captians of our destiny and the Masters of our own fate. Having said this, I believe that it is long past the time that we stand up for what is true and right. We have for so long stood by allowing life to happen to us, rather than making the most of our lives. Trying not to make this a black white issue, but a right wrong issue. We were brought to this country by force...it was wrong then but many saw it as a way of life, which in the eyes of many saw human trafficing as thier right. Now that we are no longer 3/5's human, we have a duty to those who suffered, died, were ridiculed, and jailed to stand up and be counted, heard, listened to and respected as Ameeicas as men and women as humans who deserve to demand that our vote is counteda nd that those we elect to represent us need to take notice that we will no longer stand on the sidelines waiting for life to happen to us but make our lives mean something. We were given rights in the US Constitution, now it is time for those rights to mean something not only for blacks, whites, hispanics, jews, catholics but for all.
Again I want to thank you for creating this vehicle now lets all get on the bus.
Posted by: Devan Powe | February 29, 2008 at 10:17 AM
The decision by the Caucus members to endorse Hillary is about as insightful as Hillary's decision to endorse the Iraqi War! Barack epitomizes the ideal candidate for the highest job in our land--just look at what he has done for the country already--and he is just "running" for the position--imagine the fierce, fire and the fight when he is elected. I know he has changed my whole outlook on the politics--I've learned more about this whole process than ever before--this may be sad but it is true, not only for me, but many others of all race, gender, age and socioeconomic status. I know the game they are playing to get rid of Hillary has played a part in some of his successes now, but that lame game is going to blow up on all of "them" when he is blessed with the Presidency! I've never been so proud of a candidate, let alone a brother...lastly to your question, hell yell I expect minimally for our elected officials to represent the people--anything less, they are not doing what they were elected to do. Period. Great job Blount.
Posted by: O'Kelley | February 29, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Mark, I am glad you brought that point out. In fact, I had forgotten all about that. I'm certain Barack Obama did not know that either. Unfortunately Barack had to go there but I'm certain Minister Louis Farrakan is aware of why Barack to that stand. Any other stance would have been political suicide. More importantly we need to make sure that Americans not just Black Americans know this as well. Lets get the word out.
Posted by: Donald Blount | February 28, 2008 at 07:59 AM