Donald Trump
CBC opposes Trump, except for Venezuela and Zimbabwe?
By the December 12th Movement
The Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] has been conspicuously silent on Trump’s intervention in Venezuela, a sovereign country which has had democratic elections and which, also, has provided benefits, e.g., subsidized heating oil, to Black communities around the U.S. Trump and his people have made it clear that the U.S. involvement in Venezuela is about controlling the oil and destroying socialism and that they intend to effect regime change by any means necessary.
The CBC was birthed out of the Civil Rights and Black Power. struggles of the 1960s as a body to speak for and on behalf of Black people. Over its 48 year history it has taken correct stands against white supremacy, Apartheid South Africa, voter suppression and police brutality.
The current CBC, however, has sunken so low that it is co-signing a coup d’etat rather than denouncing the Trump actions in Venezuela as a violation of “democracy”, international law and the United Nations Charter. Unfortunately, this CBC retreat from its progressive origins is not a surprise. Its 2018 support of the Congressional Amendment to increase the sanctions against Zimbabwe had already indicated the CBC’s willingness to support the Trump policy of regime change in a country which represents no threat to the U.S. Trump is punishing Zimbabwe for having the audacity to take back the lands stolen by white settler-colonizers and returning them to the indigenous population.
Over 60 years ago W.E.B. DuBois stated that “I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no two evils exist. there is but one evil party with two names.” The CBC position on Venezuela and Zimbabwe illustrates the continuing truth of Dubois’s observation. If it is not going to stand for Black folks’ interests, it has no reason to exist.
It is not too late for the CBC to return to its roots and actively and vocally oppose Trump’s plans for regime change in Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Black people and the times demand it.
#Venezuela #NicholasMaduro #StopTrumpCoupInVenezuela
‘Reparations Now!’ for president 2016 campaign launch
Reprinted from the 6/2/2016 Amsterdam News
Writer: Amadi Ajamu
The Black Voter Coalition launched its voter registration campaign for the upcoming 2016 presidential election Saturday with great success. The campaign focuses on “The Choice: Plebiscite, Reparations and Self-Determination.” At the registration table in front of Sistas’ Place on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, coalition members input registrants’ information in a bank of laptops. There was a continuous flow of registration activity throughout the day.
“People understand the seriousness of this presidential election and none of the candidates, not Trump, Clinton or Sanders, are speaking or listening to issues facing Black people. Systemic housing gentrification, no quality health care, police brutality and murder, unemployment, failing schools,” said coalition member Lateefah Carter.
W.E.B. Dubois said, “In 1956, I shall not go to the polls. I have not registered. I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no ‘two evils’ exist. There is but one evil party with two names, and it will be elected despite all I can do or say.”
On the topic of the 1994 crime bill, Hillary Clinton said, “They are not just gangs of kids anymore. They are often the kinds of kids that are called ‘super-predators.’ No conscience, no empathy. We can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel.”
Carter explained, “In 2016, we are making our own choice. We choose ‘Reparations Now’ for president. ‘The Choice’ campaign also introduces the idea of a plebiscite/referendum that addresses the question of self-determination for oppressed people in the U.S. The response has been tremendous.”
Malcolm X said, “The Black man in the Black community has to be re-educated into the science of politics so he will know what politics is supposed to bring him in return. Don’t be throwing out any ballots. A ballot is like a bullet. You don’t throw your ballots until you see a target, and if that target is not within your reach, keep your ballot in your pocket.”
Carter continued, “We are targeting our ballots and writing in ‘Reparations Now.’”
The December 12th Movement and the Black Voter Coalition campaign will continue throughout New York City until the Black Solidarity Day Nov. 7, 2016, the day before election day Nov. 8. For more information, call the December 12th Movement at 718-398-1766.