The importance of taking a stand
Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick endorsed Sen. Barack Obama as the candidate for the president of the United States before a crowd of an estimated 5,000 people. Not as large a crowd as I’d expect, considering he is one of the few candidates that represent true leadership among people of color.
But I must ask, even with such a diverse group, where were our people? I am in no way trying to polarize black America by stating that support should obviously be shown for one of our own, but in this instance, the presidential campaign is one where we align ourselves with someone who represents our needs.
My coworkers say, “Well, the rally was held on a Tuesday night, and people have kids.” That is a sorry excuse. If BET or one of the local radio stations announced a free concert starring Keyshia Cole or any one of the popular entertainers in the music business, there would be more fans out there than came to Boston Common last Tuesday.
It’s very disappointing to hear us in the black community complain about how the current administration ignores our needs and the need for a change in government, and then when someone brings a beacon of light that we haven’t seen since Jesse Jackson’s “Keep Hope Alive” campaign, we are nowhere to be found.
Have we become disillusioned to think that none of us could make it to the presidency? Are we too concerned with the media’s obsession with our views of Obama’s “blackness” to focus on what platform he represents and how that fits in with our ideals? Do we even know what we want from a black leader anymore?
Yes, I was very disappointed with our lack of interest, but I brought my 10-year-old son to see that even if we were but a handful of supporters, it’s important to show where you stand.
Jenny Joseph
Randolph
Link between gangs and race discrimination historically accurate
In response to the Banner’s Oct. 25 editorial “Taking Care of Your Homework,” I must write in to say that there certainly is a correlation between gangs and racial discrimination. Some of the first-known and most powerful gangs in the United States were Irish, Jewish and Italian — directly related to the fact that these white ethnic groups were living in ghettoes and were discriminated against. Many of these gangs broke up in the 1950s once white ethnics were assimilated into mainstream white culture. In addition, black gangs have existed for decades.
During the 1920s and ’30s, some of the black gangs that were active in Los Angeles were the “Goodlows,” “Kelleys,” “Magnificents,” “Driver Brothers,” the “Boozies,” and the “Blodgettes.” By the 1940s and ’50s, there were several black gangs in cities across the country — notably Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. The current Black Gangster Disciples actually began as the Devil’s Disciples in the 1950s in Englewood, Calif.
I understand the point being made in the editorial, and I generally agree that discrimination should not be used as a crutch for violence. But please, Bay State Banner, try taking care of your homework before making sweeping and incorrect statements, as it just takes a little digging to get the right information!
Robert Mayes
Sociologist
Dorchester
