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I'm Black. After many years in the closet, after many years of breathing that stale air of self-denial, I can finally say this.
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That morning I was taking the experiment to be approved by my teacher. My friends and I were outside, and they wanted to see how it worked. It did not react the way I expected it to. The lid popped off and smoke came out. If I could go back in time, I definitely wouldn't have done it.
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If you see a black man smiling wider or poking out his chest more than usual this week, you can probably assume that his excitement was caused, at least in part, by the rousing address given by President Barack Obama at the Morehouse College commencement.
If you're worried about the growing political strength of people of color, which is happening in large part because of a rapidly growing Latino population, then you might be motivated to do what you can to stop immigration reform.
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The GOP has transformed the stereotype of who is a government leech into the perennial political attack point that the government is too big, wasteful and intrusive. And that those who appear to benefit most from government should pay the most for it.
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Al Sharpton on Black History Month: Dr. King Would Want Us to Help Haiti
In 1964, the world honored the greatest civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with the Nobel Peace Prize for having contributed the most to the furtherance of peace among men. He was - and is - upheld to the highest standards of dignity, humanity, strength and philanthropy. Always on the side of the down trodden and diligently working to empower the disenfranchised, M.L.K. dedicated his life to assisting those who were the most fragile among us. As a student of this impeccable human being's teachings, I can think of no better way to honor him than to help the most delicate among us at this very moment: the citizens of Haiti.Words simply cannot articulate the depth of despair and human suffering taking place in our neighbor to the south. Haiti, already ranked as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere due to extreme poverty, lack of adequate education, crumbling infrastructure and imposed economic sanctions, is now on the verge of a severe catastrophe.
As far back as two years ago, we witnessed reports of families being forced to eat mud pies and mud cookies due to scarcity of food and rising inflation. This most recent global economic crisis only exacerbated the situation, and now after a 7.0 earthquake, we cannot even fathom the extent of anguish transpiring.
Haiti has a unique history that is surprisingly very closely linked to our own. It became the world's first Black-led Republic, and the first independent Caribbean state when it overthrew its French colonizers in the 19th century. The United States shares a special relationship with the nation; for, Haitian troops fought in the crucial battle of Savannah in the American Revolution and the Louisiana Purchase would have never taken place were it not for the defeat of the French in the Caribbean.
We unequivocally owe a debt of gratitude to Haiti for our mere existence. So as its people struggle to survive, search for loved ones, seek food, look for shelter and eventually rebuild, we must - we must - be there every step of the way. Without the support of the Haitians, there would be no us; without our support now, the rich cultural heritage of the Haitian people will forever be lost in a cloud of human despair and frailty. Centuries of poverty, violence and natural disaster plagued Haiti. It's biggest underlying social issue - the disparity between the impoverished Creole-speaking Black majority and the French-speaking minority - remains largely unaddressed. And the sheer fact that 1 percent of this French minority owns nearly half of the country's wealth is beyond troubling and unjust.
But before we even begin to tackle these complex social issues, we must first save the people, the culture, the livelihood of Haiti. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, suffered the brunt of this devastating earthquake. A bustling city with millions of residents that encompass both the extremely destitute and the well off, are now crying out for the world's help. The city itself, where even the President's palace wasn't spared destruction, is comprised of a large population of young people (some estimates say nearly 40 percent to 50 percent) who need immediate assistance today - and tomorrow. The ripple effects of this natural disaster are yet to be witnessed, as much of the island nation depends heavily on Port-au-Prince for its sustainability.
I commend President Barack Obama for pledging $100 million in aid and the physical support of our troops to our Caribbean neighbor. The outpouring of money and relief pledges worldwide is a positive, motivating sign indeed. But the breath and depth of destruction is beyond human comprehension, and we must work to ensure that such aid reaches those who need it the most. We must continue our efforts in the days, weeks, months and even years as time passes by; for, the need will continue beyond today, and we must continue to act swiftly, thoroughly and without delay.
I myself pledge to do my best to assist Haiti and our Haitian brothers and sisters, because I know that our greatest civil rights leader would have wanted us all to do just that.
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Comments: (12)
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By: bell on 2/19/2010 12:49AM
I love that picture of Al, he looks almost trustworthy and honest.
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By: GERI on 2/19/2010 9:49AM
I like this picture of Rev. Sharpton as well....and I think he is VERY honest AND trustworthy....And I also think he is one of thee most intelligent men in America...Black or white...May God continue to bless you Rev.
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By: marva lightbourne on 2/19/2010 9:58AM
I agree this will be a "forever helping type of aide to haiti", and as most people will get war weary even in well-doing at the constant "reminder" to help, our attention will focus more on our "own domestics problems ( jobs, jobs, jobs!!forecloseures/mtg. etc) and I won't quite agree with gary coleman on the "insider", but hell.. new orleans, haven't been EFFECTIVELY DEALT WITH YET, RECONSTRUCTED, LOST PEOPLE STILL. so, we the citizens understand!! no resentment!! but the true facts speaks for itself!!!.. POWER TO THE PEOPLE ALWAYS!! and p.s. other countries are doing thier part as well , thanks french minister Karcazi for stepping up and taking leadership in assist. haiti..ALL WILL BE WELL IN G-d timing.!!!
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By: WriteTurn on 2/24/2010 5:41PM
Rev. Al Sharpton, we owe a lot of thanks for being himself and for teaching us to do the same what a great American citizen always reaching out to help other people.
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By: monte woods on 4/05/2011 3:31PM
Yep, the late Dr. King had a strong focus on "poverty".... We have some pretty major issues within our own borders, but I can "play hurt" 'n get out there on the field. Even if it just to get an "assist"... to help the "team." The people of Haiti are black just like me, but they are human beings 1st.
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By: I love T Moe on 2/25/2010 9:03AM
Poor Bill "CRYER" er Schrier. Its a sad shame that you think that by you coming to this site you are going to change our opinions. If you easlly wanted to be effective, maybe your sorry excuse for a human being would go and become a part of creating solutions instead of spreading this propoganda you claim as facts. Its people like you that sit in the back ground creating tormoil that make me feel sorry that you believe you are part of a superior race. But,when push cmes to shove, you know that you are a spineless jellyfish who feeds on hatred. You spread nonsense and it appears that you really expect us to fall for it. Whether you like or dislike Martin Luther King Jr, REV. Al Sharpton,etc.. UNDERSTAND THIS..WE DONT CARE!! AL Sharpton has done more to better the lives on many people..Black , white and a host of of others. What have you done? I guess spitting out your ignorant veiws count for something.
You and your opinions are like A%%H****. We all have one, some just smell a little worse than others. I hope you find some peace.
As always...Ignoranc is Bliss!!
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By: Elwood Becron on 2/25/2010 4:54PM
I have $100 for you to write a one-page essay on "The Influence of Dr. King on the Civil Rights Movement in the USA"
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By: HEH on 2/25/2010 3:45PM
HA HA HA Bill you are soooo funny. Just like Fox news. And then you credit J.Edgar Hoover, enough said.
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By: meanvee on 2/25/2010 7:42PM
We should all try to help haiti, be it with money or can goods or needed materials to survive, you never know when we too will need help from other countrys and nations.
http://www.JustPlantSeeds.com
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By: Kathy Giddarie on 2/25/2010 8:03PM
This is not about personalities. It is about a country in need. This is no lie, its no fraud; it is very real. The devastation is oh so real. Thousands lost their lives, some American Citizens who were there for varied missions of religious, assistive and other natures. This is not a debate as to Dr. King's credibility, Rev. Sharpton's street credentials or any of the negative commentators. Its about a nation of down trodden, underserved, impoveraged people who need the world's help to merely survive til tomorrow. This is their nightly DREAM to just survive until tomorrow. The future for them is more than a dream away. It is more than just some bricks and mortar, more than just another plate of rice and beans, its more than a few gifts and tokens. It is years of ongoing support, shoulders to the grind, building and securing, educating, instilling self sufficiency that will sustain a nation and its people. Its about raising a country from the ground up. Infrastructure from every aspect including goevernment, police, mental and medical, to then housing, employment and business to just plain everyday living. This is not about the character of any man except the one in your mirror. Take a look at him and then decide if you can help someone else. Decide if you can just reach inside of the soul of the man in your mirror to help someone who needs your hand to hold through their crisis.
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