African American National Congress

[brianold]

What do you all think of a National Black Congress? or an African American National Congress?

I was on the subway the other day and thinking of the ANC in south Africa... but more so just the thought of consensus and agreement at a grassroots level.

In theory, I think it would be a way to hold so-called black leaders accountable to an agenda set by the people.

Would black people be more likely to vote in their own congress of opinion than they are in the mainstream American elections?

Essentially it's a study of political science, but the consensus could be used as leverage for the grassroots to collectively tell the "leaders" what they want done and what they approve and disapprove of?

Really any majority decision would be taken as the voice of the black/African American "nation"...

It could even be a 2/3's majority requirement. So for example, if Barack Obama wants to support the republican and president bush's bankruptcy proposal, that issue would be presented to the National Congress for a vote. Even if the entire CBC (congressional black caucus) were to support Obama (which theoretically they can now without major consequence because of the division of districts nationwide)... the CBC isn't really accountable to the Black Nation... the members come together by choice, they are truly accountable to their districts... but what if a National Black Conference was able to outvote them on the floor of the National Black Congress... would they be bold enough to continue support?

That's just one example. Really that'd be the most rudimentary of uses for such a collective body... because like I said earlier, the CBC is not institutionally accountable to anyone but the members of their district.

But what are some more powerful uses for a Congress created to pass into "Law" the desires of the black nation in America?

It wouldn't be law per se, but in many ways if a 2/3's majority of black folk came to "congressional" consensus on any issue or "bill" that declaration ("bill") would have to be respected.

I think it could even sway the peoples opinion of leaders who chose to ignore the Black Congressional "bills"... nationwide we'd have a solid voice that denounced the wrong leaders and supported the right ones... likewise it would decide on what ideas or theories are for us and which are not.

The Omaha school case for example could be brought to the congress for a vote on whether or not we support the separated school districts or not.

Of course any governing body requires an educated populous in order to properly function... freedom schools and/or communiversities (study groups) could become more consistent and issues would be debated a month or two before the vote. It'd have to be ensured that the teachers in these school were presenting all sides of our issues in order to let our people cast the vote they consider to be in their best interest...

Publications like the liberator could run debates and pro/con arguments for the issue next up for vote in the congress...

I just had a thought on the subway and decided to share...

what do you all think? is this what Malcolm had in mind? is this where the movement was moving towards? a institution to form a binding consensus in the black community?

i didn't want to give away every body's email so lets discuss it here:
http://cybermessageboard.fatcow.com/mpls...highlight=


b

[brianold]

Has anyone heard of this organization?

http://www.blackradicalcongress.org/index.html

[bjanitor]

Well,
brother I think your head is going to pop off your shoulders and fly in the air and turn into cognitive dust that has a afro sticking mechanism
that will teach the kids the wrongs of drinking milk with a cheese burger.

As for your thoughts, I think you have a great idea, the only problem that I see is that it may recreate the elitist attidude that we are suffering from black leadership today. I just found out that a board of thirteen in which 5 people show up on average are making many of the major decisions for the black community here at home. I think we need to be fearless in our presute towards freedom. I think that is a good place to start, defining what freedom is for the black community. Cause for me working for myself, having a yard for my kids, having no unpaid parking tickets, and a bank account that I try to keep $73 in all the time could be considered freedom for someone. while having the ability to properly educator your children could be considered it for some else I think we will remain in bondage until the community comes up with a clear definition of what freedom is.

God please bless The Liberator.

[brianold]

bjanitor Wrote:a good place to start, defining what freedom is... Cause for me working for myself, having a yard for my kids, having no unpaid parking tickets, and a bank account that I try to keep $73 in all the time

I agree. Its deep and all that Assata said she knows more about what freedom "aint" than about what it is... but we still need to work on figuring out what it is!

Blackcommentator.com have been drafting up what they call "bright line" topics.

I have been trying to internalize them.

From the top of my head here are some of the main issues that would help create a freedom for my people... some are just my own thoughts...

this is a great excercise for adults and kids alike... we did "envising a liberated african experience" in a previous issue of the libereator for kids... but really all grown ups need to do this to... out in the open for everyone to hear!!! IF SOME KIDS FROM PHILLY CAN DO IT WE ALL CAN DO IT. WE SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR LEAD!

WHAT IS FREEDOM TO ME.
by Brian

1) For everyone to have healthcare.

2) For everyone to have an education up to the University or Professional School Level.

3) For everyone to have housing that is healthy and peaceful.

4) For everyone to have a job that is human-centered... meaning, a meaningful job that gives someone a sense of contribution to humanity and a sense of worth and accomplishment.

what you think about those goals?