Rev. Perryman, I definitely agree that Black men owe a debt – particularly in this age of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Partly, as Civil Rights is passe. Rev. Jesse Jackson took the opportunity in 1965 to conceptualize “Operation Breadbasket”
in Chicago. He, was the first African American leader to not be assassinated before he had an economic philosophy.
Alas, about a decade later, I came up with my pet ideology (as I am a political economist) Economic Apartheid…the use
of capitalism, colonialism, racism, and socialism to exploit and oppress poor people – be they white, black or brown; to
preserve white supremacy.
Thus, I am reminded of a quote from the late Ghanaian Prime Minister: “You measure the political awareness of a
people by the women.” I write these words with former Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Jasmine Crockett in
mind.
Meanwhile, I pray that we as a people – be for real, be for real – as Pope Leo, a Chicago born native is an immigrant. Somewhat like, Jean Bapstie du Sable, the Haitian immigrant, who founded Chicago.
I regard these individuals as having African American roots. At this juncture, James Baldwin helps me convey an American reality – White people cannot, in the generality, be taken as models of how to live. Rather, the white man is himself in sore need of new standards, which will remove him from his confusion and place him again in fruitful communion with the depths of his own being.” The Next Time
Sincerely,
Clarence Gafeney