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

[Bri'on]

Politics...instead of doing a better job of serving the people, the opposition tries to stifle the people. What are they going to do when they are in power and need every vote, change the law again? A shame and a scandal!

Walter Simtec Simmons said:

Will the law change in Florida

[Mustafa Ansari]

I like what you said brother John. Hopelessly, waiting hat in had for the Democrats for the peanuts and crumbs they may hand out is such a fruitless pursuit. If you want real change.

We have to do it ourselves and we have such a process.   www.americaninstituteofhumanrights.com

[RENEEGEDE]

Where are they?


Walter Simtec Simmons said:

Byard Pidgeon, Please try and follow my logic without prejudice and in the spirit of love because I am not a person who hates anybody because of the color of their skin. I have grown past that years ago.

The questions are;
Have your family name been stripped from you?
Have your parents and grandparent be denied an education?
Have your family been separated by forced?
Why do you think that there are more Black men in prison or jail, on probation or parole than any other ethnic group in America. Is it by accident or by design?
you can not get a job if you have a felony.  How do we address that? Would that be on your agenda?

Growing crime rates over the past 30 years don’t explain the skyrocketing numbers of black — and increasingly brown — men caught in America’s prison system, according to Alexander, who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun after attending Stanford Law. “In fact, crime rates have fluctuated over the years and are now at historical lows.”

“Most of that increase is due to the War on Drugs, a war waged almost exclusively in poor communities of color,” she said, even though studies have shown that whites use and sell illegal drugs at rates equal to or above blacks. In some black inner-city communities, four of five black youth can expect to be caught up in the criminal justice system during their lifetimes.

Would the war on crime be on your agenda?
Can you articulate the Black agenda so that it fits in your agenda.

If we can sit and carve out a plan for the legislators to  cover the Blacks concerns as well as others  would be step in the right direction.

[Maria "ReRe" Leslie]

It's just "iron sharpening iron".  Look, none of us public or private individuals should want to get through without being held accountable to someone.  Even if the someone seems to be a voice crying out like John the Baptist... We all have to give a report to someone for the path we take the direction we point others too.  When you have a multitude following you, and you don't know what the heck you're doing yourself?  Going from city to city making promises of change, but no follow-up.  I'm glad Dr. Cornel West has the nerve to speak directly to Rev. Al Sharpton.  Nobody gets by without being critiqued. Nobody.