Project 21: New Visions

Over the past few years, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights hasn't been known for promoting racial harmony. Chairman Mary Frances Berry is a stalwart liberal who rules the Commission with an iron fist. Critics accuse her of using the government agency to promote her own political agenda. Commission reports critical of both the 2000 presidential election results and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's policing policy just as he began his run for the Senate, plus Berry's current refusal to seat a Bush-appointed commissioner, have tarnished the Commission's reputation. On January 11, Berry and her fellow commissioners have an ...
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As concern over "urban sprawl" intensifies, the Bush Administration is coming to the rescue by making it easier to revitalize decaying city infrastructures. This will both lessen the need for cities to expand and create new jobs and new sources of revenue. Previously ignored, blighted urban areas can be rehabilitated into productive space. "Brownfield" revitalization received a boost from President George W. Bush in January when he signed into law increased funding for clean-ups and protections for those seeking to beat back urban decay and help the inner cities through brownfields restoration. The White House is also expected to seek ...
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A while ago, as a response to the reparations debate, I wrote that it was us - black Americans - who owed our slave ancestors a debt of gratitude for their suffering. We must "pay" reparations by living up to their expectations and taking full advantage of the opportunities they provided for us. In response, I was called an "Uncle Tom." I received an e-mail that read: "You are the type of Negro who has sold out your people. You are a Tom. You do everything possible to agree with your master. You hate being black." I was likened to ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published December 2001 by The National Center for Public Policy Research * 501 Capitol Ct., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202-543-5975, E-Mail [email protected], Web http://www.nationalcenter.org. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. Residents of the affluent Spring Valley community in Washington, D.C. will wake up this Christmas morning to open presents, eat coffeecake and maybe even brush snow off their SUVs and Mercedes as they have the past 15 years. Despite living with a potential environmental threat literally under their feet, the government has yet to move them off the land. That wasn't the case ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published December 2001 by The National Center for Public Policy Research * 501 Capitol Ct., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202-543-5975, E-Mail [email protected], Web http://www.nationalcenter.org. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. The Choctaw Terminal Freight Depot in Little Rock, Arkansas was demolished in November. That's sad, and I'll explain why a little later. What is even sadder is that outside of Arkansas, I doubt more than a few black people around the country have even heard of it. The depot was built in 1899 by former slaves. According to Little Rock preservationist Gregory Ferguson, ...
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"I'm going to King-Land, King-Land; in Atlanta, G-A, I'm going to King-Land..." - with apologies to singer Paul Simon. It appears that the family of slain civil rights giant Martin Luther King, Jr. is looking for more ways to milk the King name for as much money as humanly possible. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if a theme park in Atlanta is in the offing. The King family would be able to charge as much as an admission to Disney World, and be able to pocket the majority of it. The federal government has authorized the construction of ...
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With the murderous destruction of the World Trade Center, many individual freedoms were also destroyed. And many more will inevitably fall. If there's one thing I hate, it's losing my freedom. I personally think I'm more sensitive to this than others. Now, more than ever, I am suspected and searched - more things I abhor. I don't deserve any of the blame for the dastardly events of "9-11," but, I will pay a heavy price with my freedoms and with the humiliation of being searched like a criminal for something I did not do and am incapable of doing. Because ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published November 2001 by The National Center for Public Policy Research * 501 Capitol Ct., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202-543-5975, E-Mail , Web http://www.nationalcenter.org. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. The nickname of my home state of Maryland is "The Old Line State." While it has nothing to do with the nickname, I like to joke to my friends that Maryland's black voters are familiar with another old line - one of fear and ignorance used by liberals for political gain. Who can forget when the Democrats ran radio spots around the country ...
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I'm feeling pretty grouchy. I recently attended the monthly meeting of one of my book clubs. Instead of discussing the really horrible imitation Terry McMillan novel we read this month, we had a guest speaker - "trauma/grief counselor." I'm not comfortable with the sight of adults carrying on anywhere outside a funeral or wedding. I was not thrilled - but I kept quiet. The counselor, an obviously sincere young woman, encouraged us to express our feelings about what's been happening since September 11 and lectured us on tolerance of Muslims and their culture. She also scolded us for being "hysterical" ...
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There is a saying, "Among the greatest human urges are the realization of fame and fortune." Fame because most people want to be remembered fondly, and often, during their lifetime as well as after they die. Fortune because it takes resources to accomplish life goals, and wealth is usually a key to obtaining required resources. In reality, however, fame and fortune are secondary since survival is the real starting point. Have African-Americans confused their priorities in this regard? Have we focused too much on fame and fortune and not enough on survival? If Earth as we know it ceased to ...
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There's never been a shortage of weak preachers. I'm sorry to say this is particularly true in the black community. In our communities, it seems there's a church on every corner. I've often said many black preachers are not called by God as much as they are by their mommas: "Boy, you're gonna be a preacher one day..." Often, they are no different than the dysfunctional community they save. In peacetime, these preachers are a nuisance. In wartime, following their advice can get people killed. Since September 11, I've noted many dumb acts by our preachers. Reverend Graylan Hagler of ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published October 2001 by The National Center for Public Policy Research * 501 Capitol Ct., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202-543-5975, E-Mail [email protected], Web http://www.nationalcenter.org. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. Georgia residents have an embarrassment on their hands. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has planted her foot so deep in her throat it may take surgery to remove it. So much so that her constituents ought to remove her from office. When Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal visited Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center remains, he offered New York City Mayor Rudy ...
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It never fails. Whenever I begin to think that I may have been a little too hard on the NAACP, the organization disappoints me yet again. You've no doubt heard about the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's criticism of network television for not having enough black faces on TV. According to Screen Actors Guild figures, black actors were cast in just over 20% of the roles for movies and prime time television. I certainly don't dispute the idea that TV could stand to show some more black people, but my question is this: In light of all ...
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Is it better to have a raise or a job? It's a no-brainer. A raise is worthless without a job. Since the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, some have contended that a constantly increasing minimum wage will prevent the exploitation of workers. Politicians continually trot out the issue, confident that even if its economic effects aren't as advertised, the political benefits of appearing to care about the working poor are. But yet another of our many dozens of upward wage adjustments will fail to create economic stability for those at the bottom end of the pay ...
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There is an ongoing concern that the poor and minorities are not up to speed with the rest of America when it comes to computer technology. It's called the "digital divide." But, like many other modern complaints about race, class and equality, claims of technological segregation are more hot air than true discrimination. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) claim this technology gap is enormous. They portray anyone who doesn't own a computer as a victim - condemned to financial and intellectual slavery. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) once said, "Until we eradicate the divide that is growing between those ...
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On September 10, I went to bed thinking about what I should write for my October column. Two topics were on my mind that night, and both might have made interesting reading. Suddenly, neither one is very important. September 10, 2001 seems like such a long time ago. Like most free-lance writers, I still work a day job. On Tuesday, September 11, mine took me to my office in Washington, DC. It's located just a few blocks from the White House. It was an ordinary commute and an ordinary morning - and then everything changed. After checking my messages and ...
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Reparations for the descendants of slaves. The percentage of black characters on television. The Confederate Battle Flag. All of these issues became meaningless on September 11 when terrorists struck New York City and Washington, DC. On that fateful morning, the civil rights of all Americans were violated with extreme prejudice. None of our lives will ever be the same. Actions like this, as terrible as they are, provide inspiration because they bring America together. The destruction hurt people of all races and wealth, and men and women of every shade and status likewise came together with the common goal of ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published September 2001 by The National Center for Public Policy Research * 501 Capitol Ct., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202-543-5975, E-Mail [email protected], Web http://www.nationalcenter.org. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. In the 1970s, an important economic concept called "rational expectations" surfaced. The idea was that economic agents - people - are rational actors: That people anticipate economic changes accurately and respond to them. Although the concept does not hold sway today, the idea that people respond rationally to events in their environment is important - particularly for African-Americans. For example, if African-Americans want ...
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While the world continues to ask if global warming is occurring and, if so, if human beings contribute to it, most Americans have overlooked the effect that complying with the Kyoto Protocol would have on minorities and the poor. Let's examine the science surrounding global climate change. Although media reports indicate it is conclusive that man-made global warming is occurring, quite the contrary is true. Computer models say the first area to warm owing to the air's increased CO2 content should be the lower atmosphere. However, NASA satellite data have shown no warming here. Many scientists, such as Dr. Sallie ...
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A New Visions Commentary paper published August 2001 Reprints permitted provided source is credited. For the past couple of weeks, major newspapers have carried stories about new efforts to privatize the U.S. Social Security System (SSS). Although the real battle to effect this change is far from beginning in earnest, African-Americans would be well advised to begin considering where they come down on this issue. Should African-Americans favor privatization of Social Security? Before providing an answer, let's consider a few facts about the current state of Social Security. From the outset, Social Security privatization was part of President George W ...
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