Controversy About "The Black Agenda"

[Smiley and West]

Sharpton vs West Exclusive: West goes behind the scenes of his MSNBC debate with Rev. Al Sharpton.     As we draw closer to the election year, the topic of a Black Agenda, or lack thereof, remains at the center of much heated discourse amongst public intellectuals and political pundits.  Recently Dr. Cornel West and Rev. Al Sharpton – two of America’s most respected Black leaders – engaged in such a debate on MSNBC with Ed Schutlz.  Although the conversation was torrid, the subject of a Black Agenda is gaining more attention. West: There is a context in the nation that a criticism of President Obama is an attempt to support right wing vicious attacks. The recent heated exchange with my dear brother Al Sharpton is not primarily about him, me or even the President.  What’s the focus: How we fight for poor and working people. Tune in to Smiley & West this weekend as I reflect more on the subject.   For Dr. West's Full Statement, visit  www.CornelWest.com

[Serious Black]

About time brotha. No justice. No. Just us

Bri'on said:

Let the infrastructure crumble then, and watch the rich beg for mercy when there is no where to run. If greed is the source for keeping poor people in poverty, then let those in power live out their greed.

 

He is like a dog chewing off his own leg when there is a bowl of steak in front of him.

 

The best natural resource is people. If the rich want to continue to spite the people, so be it, it won't last forever. The people till the land, milk the cows, prepare the food, drive the cars, fly the planes and are everywhere. If the rich drive us to the brink of awakening...so be it!

Mustafa Ansari said:

I have been on this forum for about a week.I have enjoyed everyone's responses but to be perfectly truthful, "Negro politics" is innately doomed to failure because you have to rely on an intransigent Congress and Supreme Court...so you cannot win because these forces are moving on a different economic theory and vision of America called "Neo-liberalism". In this theory tax cuts, and a wheedling out of the middle class and destroying or depleting all of the "safety net" social programs, education, etc. This is a theory that has shaken out our communities of their funds, housing, programs, into the deplorable state that it is now...and this is just the beginning. In other words all of you are "beating a dead horse". The America that you think exist...doesn't... and it never will...You have to become self-determining...and BTW President Obama can legislate, it is called "Executive or Presidential Orders". In fact we want him to implement Presidential Order 13107 that would require the Federal government to incorporate Human Rights measures...but as you know Mr. Obama does not want to be associated with us in any political way.

[Brenda]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.  I will listen to West; however, in a different forum.  

Yomi Ace said:

Brenda,

Just remember to leave the door half-open. You might still need it to navigate back to appreciating some of what Cornel West has to say. You might no longer jump up like the blah blah blah, but you might still be quietly enthused by snippets of his wisdom; sometimes. So, keep an open mind. No doubt, I agree with you that you have to process your own inputs with your own God-given faculties. That is the golden rule of incrementally informed decision-making...:) And, the rule applies to us all; West, East, North and South.

[Yonah El]

I watched the event and all I can say is YOU THE MAN BROTHER WEST . 

I was so proud of you for saying what I wanted to say to someone. You must have read my mind. I really don't know what else to say, but do your thing. The truth is with you, behind you, and all around you. Let it FLOW.

One Love.

[Walter Simtec Simmons]

Great questions Brenda and I bet the answers would be even better

[Yonah El]

Sorry, I don't know what "Negro Politics" are. Can you illuminate me. as for the pres....He is stuck in the first black syndrome. Unfortunately, he doesn't have to be. I do believe we will not see him really stand up until his second term. 

At least, I hope we will see him shine.

Bri'on said:

Let the infrastructure crumble then, and watch the rich beg for mercy when there is no where to run. If greed is the source for keeping poor people in poverty, then let those in power live out their greed.

 

He is like a dog chewing off his own leg when there is a bowl of steak in front of him.

 

The best natural resource is people. If the rich want to continue to spite the people, so be it, it won't last forever. The people till the land, milk the cows, prepare the food, drive the cars, fly the planes and are everywhere. If the rich drive us to the brink of awakening...so be it!

Mustafa Ansari said:

I have been on this forum for about a week.I have enjoyed everyone's responses but to be perfectly truthful, "Negro politics" is innately doomed to failure because you have to rely on an intransigent Congress and Supreme Court...so you cannot win because these forces are moving on a different economic theory and vision of America called "Neo-liberalism". In this theory tax cuts, and a wheedling out of the middle class and destroying or depleting all of the "safety net" social programs, education, etc. This is a theory that has shaken out our communities of their funds, housing, programs, into the deplorable state that it is now...and this is just the beginning. In other words all of you are "beating a dead horse". The America that you think exist...doesn't... and it never will...You have to become self-determining...and BTW President Obama can legislate, it is called "Executive or Presidential Orders". In fact we want him to implement Presidential Order 13107 that would require the Federal government to incorporate Human Rights measures...but as you know Mr. Obama does not want to be associated with us in any political way.

[Spencer Haskins]

I think President Obama needs to be viewed as President of all Americans, Gop, Dems, all colors.  He represents us all!  It is true, but trivial, that he is the first black President.  He certainly won't be the last and that epithet will be less and less significant historically.  Kennedy is rarely spoken of as the first Catholic President, his achievements, and the greatness of the man, are what is important.  So it is w/ President Obama.  He's done an incredible amount legislatively in his first term, he needs our unity and support to get that more important second term.  Let us all unite and pursue the overthrow of our common oppressors, the GOP & the politicized Supreme Court.  Middle and lower classes are under attack, our entire governmental system is being purchased from underneath us via Citizens United v. FEC!  No squabbling, no differences, we walk in unity henceforth, one people w/o color or distinctions.

[David McDonald]

It's shaping up to be an interesting political season. I was just arguing with some folks on facebook as to whether or not Obama should get a second term as POTUS. My position is that he is more Republican than I'm interested in. These apologists came at me with name calling, insults of my intellect, and accusing me of sounding like someone from Fox! Fox?? Obama has bailed out more right wing coporations, all but abandoning the low income people in this country. That doesn't seem too Foxessque to me. The "Pragmatists" want to paint me as some kind of racist because I think the Obama presidency is an extremely failed presidency. They refuse to even entertain the thought that maybe they were mistaken when they voted for him last time (I can admit it). It may be ego, I don't really know.

[Mustafa Ansari]

"Negro politics" is our mistaken idea of politics. Voting for people Black or White who do not write bills that will give us economic and educational relief. This is a corruption of "Real politics" (Self-interest politics), which is a process of "who gets what". This is practiced by Energy, agricultural, bankers, corporations military manufacturers, who 'lobby' (bribe) legislatures to pass bills so that they can be awarded billions/Trillions of tax dollars.

 

[Yonah El]

I can understand that, but just how do you propose we manage our political strategy? I am listening. as since you seem to be serious about doing more than just talking about this issue, please contact me and let's make this a reality. I am waiting for your [e-mail].

[Penguin Board of Directors]

 

 

"No squabbling, no differences, we walk in unity henceforth, one people w/o color or distinctions."

 

I say 'Amen,' true brother!

 

" ... he (Obama) is the first black president." Really? What happened to our adopted first black president; the more colorful one, mid-named Jefferson? ...:)

 

Spencer Haskins said:

I think President Obama needs to be viewed as President of all Americans, Gop, Dems, all colors.  He represents us all!  It is true, but trivial, that he is the first black President.  He certainly won't be the last and that epithet will be less and less significant historically.  Kennedy is rarely spoken of as the first Catholic President, his achievements, and the greatness of the man, are what is important.  So it is w/ President Obama.  He's done an incredible amount legislatively in his first term, he needs our unity and support to get that more important second term.  Let us all unite and pursue the overthrow of our common oppressors, the GOP & the politicized Supreme Court.  Middle and lower classes are under attack, our entire governmental system is being purchased from underneath us via Citizens United v. FEC!  No squabbling, no differences, we walk in unity henceforth, one people w/o color or distinctions.

[Princess Black]

I really can't take when it gets to the overtalking.  Respectfully, Mr. West is intelligent enough to also hear the brother out.  We don't really want to view the bickering.  What we need is unity.  Each mind has positive purposeful points. 

 

Can we go ahead and change and stop the trying to rearrange each other's thoughts?

 

We want action!

[Brenda]

Read through this site--this why I am so angry with negative talk about President Obama.  Again, I am not saying that he is perfect...Just that our leaders should encourage us to vote and give him some help.  I can barely read this mess.  We need to keep focused!  This group has power and use it at the voting stalls!

 

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