| December 2007 |
Vol 2, Issue 23
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In the Black
Newsletter
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| Greetings! |
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Where is black Fresno going?
Over the past month, I've had the opportunity to reflect on several observations pertaining to the status of black Fresnans and their livelihood within our city. Despite tremendous strides within Fresno's African-American community, the issue of justice- civic, academic, environmental, and economic, remain prevalent concerns for many of us. These are many of same battles fought by the community in the mid-60's and early 70's. Many of the inroads made by trailblazers like Jack Kelley, Elma Sterling, Jim Aldridge and Joe Williams appear to have reverted back to covered or unbeaten pathways for many new travelers desiring to go similar directions.
Is this the result of poor community-wide strategic planning or the lack of a leadership pipeline to continue in the progresses made by Fresno's black pioneers? Have the benefits of a more free society and greater economic and geographic mobility weaken our collective sense of universal progress and community development? Or has the redistribution of our neighborhoods hampered our ability to effectively connect to one another and therefore dampening our senses to the plight of our brother and sister and their need to reap from village-based strategies? To be honest, I do not have enough information or community memory to make a sound determination but the outcomes of these systemic problems affect (though not the ultimate determinants) my quality of life and/or 'pursuit of happiness'.
There have been several attempts during my consciousness to address some the questions raised above. These strategies at best have been fragmented, operating outside the framework of a comprehensive plan to address not only the symptoms but the root of the ills plaguing our community.
So, where do we start? Where are we now and where have we been? I am of the opinion that a critical step has been absent from our community development work- a good old fashion community assessment. Some may refer to it as a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, resource matrix or community/asset mapping. Regardless to the term, exact model or methodology, I have yet to see anything of its like created by Central Valley African-Americans for our community (if it is out the there then it demonstrates another deficiency-communication). This tool would set the backdrop for thoughtful and purpose-driven strategic planning to address many of the ailments facing our community and provide our leaders and members the ammunition to engage in the battle of saving our families.
I propose a yearly assessment that will report our assets, resources, deficiencies and concerns. It could act a guiding document to the community and those that serve it as they make decisions pertaining to both policy and procedures. It can double as laying the groundwork for an annual work plan created by various stakeholders- community organizations, black-led congregations, governmental agencies and departments, and elected officials with specific strands of accountability. These fact-based accounts could be presented an annual 'state of black Fresno' type summit, where the preliminary work plan would be drafted.
This type of thinking has been prevalent in my thoughts as I embark on a new venture in community work with youth at Youth Leadership Institute (www.yli.org). As I participate in the development of youth leadership through the cultivation of their social justice consciousness & civic engagement, my heart and mind is heavy with what I feel is a lack of a collective vision within our African-American community. I believe like many others, we must operate in a new framework, see through a different set of lenses, and "step out the box and box that the box came in" to achieve the needed acceleration to avoid generations behind us being in the place we are in today.
Tate Hill II
Editor
Are you interested in being a part of the solution? Do you have expertise/experience in developing and/or implementing the mechanisms to achieving these goals? Please contact me at urbanknowledge@gmail.com if you interested in being a part of the design team.
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Barack and the Black Vote
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As
the race for the White House proceeds and Senator Clinton continues to command strong support
national wide by African-American voters, the question is: can Senator Obama get the black vote? Just two weeks ago, a poll by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies (bookmark worthy web resource) showed Hillary Clinton beating Obama 83 percent to 74
percent among African-Americans on an overall favorability rating. But at the same time, the 750 survey respondents stated that "commitment to change" was a more important feature in a candidate than "experience in public office", which could weigh in Obama's favor. Other polls over the last few months have demonstrated similar Clinton advantages over Obama. An October 2007 CNN Poll, Obama trailed Senator Clinton 33 to 57 percent amongst black voters.
CNN contributor, Roland Martin and former publisher/owner of the Houston Defender and the Dallas Weekly suggested that that Oprah endorsement would only be effective if she got on the campaign trail. "Having Oprah Winfrey's endorsement is
one thing, but they must get her on the road". And she did exactly that is weekend, drawing over 70,000 people in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina. Will Oprah's endorse solidify black votes for Obama?
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| Urban Legends: The U.S. Post Office will destroy African American stamps |
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love that the African-Americans braces technology and that we made great strides in
using the Internet. At the same time, we have to savvy about the investigating the messages and information that comes into our INBOX.
Heard this one:
"The
P.O. will DESTROY all remaining African American Heritage stamps at the end of
the month instead of following their usual procedure of selling them" This internet urban legend dates back to 2000, stating that the
US Post Office will stop selling stamps depicting black American heroes and
leaders and destroy the remaining in possession. The Post Office has made
several official statements indicating that it has no intention of taking such
actions against the Black Heritage Stamp series. On the contrary, on
January 8, 2007 it issued its 26th
consecutive stamp commemorating Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
But in the word of Reading Rainbow's Levar Burton, "don't take my word for it":
Snopes.com
(see the various forms of the hoax and the Post Office's multiple counter memos) Break the Chain (letter)
Statement from US Postal Services
Internet
Tidbit: Nearly two out of three African-Americans use the internet according to 2006 story published by the
New York Times. The survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project has traced Americans' use of
the internet dating back to 1998. There are over 211 millions U.S. internet users and those
numbers will only increase with 9 out of every 10 youth, ages 12 to 17 now surf
the web. Blacks have almost tripled their use of the internet since 1998 when
only 23% of the community was going online.
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The Black List: Year 2007 in Review
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In the Black is preparing for the second 'Black List' to be released early 2008. In the next few weeks, a survey will go out to readers like yourself, to votes for the individuals and events that had the greatest influence on black Fresnans in 2007.
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Marol: "Where Southern hospitality meet fine dining"
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 Marsol is now the home of fine soul & Creole food dining in Fresno. Proprietor and Fresno native, Helen Cooley, officially open for business on December 7 in central part of the city, just north of Fresno City College. The menu has a authentic selection of New Orleans & Southern-inspired and seafood dishes including etouffée, gumbo, chicken & waffles, Cajun shrimp and even alligator. The restaurant will soon offer an Express Lunch will a variety to choose from.
Once you walk in, you will see why Ms. Cooley's reconstruction took several months. The restaurant demonstrates craftsmanship and an eye for detail in the selection of art, decor, and design. The restaurant include a multimedia meeting room (seats 20+ people) with video and teleconferencing capabilities. Dinner reserves are available.
In addition, there is jazz music on Friday and Saturday evening.
Marsol
3075 N. Maroa Avenue
(just south of Shield Ave)
Fresno, CA 93704
(866) 684-2524
www.marsolfresno.com
menu, directions and contact information
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Looking for In the Black Writers
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 Do you have something to say? Are you passionate about a particular subject? Have you said, "they need to write to
about ..."? Well, here's your chance!
In the Black is looking for other Issue writers, opinion editorals, and reviews of local restaurants, shops and entertainment venues from a black prospective.
College students are especially welcomed to inquire.
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Food for Thought:
I see you in the future and
you look much better !
-Bishop Charles E. Blake in Memphis, TN
newly-elected Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ
Pastor of West Angeles COGIC, Los Angeles
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| In the Black, a publication of the Urban Knowledge Blog
Disclaimer: This is an editorial publication. The comments above are solely of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or ideologies of any organization or person outside of Urban Knowledge. If there is a numerical or factual error, please inform us and we will publicly rectify it via email. Comments received may be republished, unless you indicate otherwise, for the betterment of other readers. Thank You. |
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