Recently Tavis Smiley gave a commentary on The Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show, his theme was, I feel, holding the Black vote (amongst other issues). He began by quoting from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and continued with a quote from Harriet Tubman, "I freed hundreds but I could have freed more if they only knew they were enslaved."

The question was asked are African Americans on the political plantation. Smiley took a short break from the hour long National Public Radio Show which airs Monday through Friday throughout the country.

Earlier this year, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan stated that African Americans should consider holding their vote unless the Democratic Party addressed our issues.

My view is African Americans will always be a divided people because we are a conquered people. Living from the ego, driven by fear or profit and certainly made in America.

Until Black issues are addressed and we as African American know what they are - we live them each day - unemployment, foreclosure, drugs in our community, injustice in the judicial system, racial profiling, poor public education and racism (some subtle some overt), until they are put on the Democratic table and received due and proper commitments, why should we as Blacks continue to stay on the Democratic political plantation, continuing to vote for one evil after the other.

We know that Bush "took" the presidential election from the American people and that no Senator helped when the concern for doing something about it was voiced.

But what about African Americans, we divide ourselves, not even voting for our own in the Presidential Primary. We continue to repeat our faults, wrongs and insanity. I agree with The Reverend Hosea Williams when he said, "The biggest problem that Black people have is Black people themselves."

No matter what white man is in the White House, it won't change the way we continually treat each other, selfishness, greed, jealousy, back-stabbing and "sell-outness". No government can change the hearts of African Americans; no laws, statues or amendments to the constitution can undo The Willie Lynch Syndrome. This can only come from internal work, working on the self from the inside out.

We must make a spiritual journey that begins with knowledge, truth, wisdom, understanding, and love for self and each other. Going to Sunday morning worship services, political conventions, and campaigns giving lip service, speaking to ethics, principles, morals, values, righteousness, is easy, easier than going to the polls, voting our conscious or not voting at all to make a statement for integrity, uprightness and honor.

Bob Marley said, I am not on the white man side I am not on the Black man side, I'm on God's side". The question is can we realize that it's not about being an ass or an elephant but doing that which is right, that which would not just profit some but would be a profit for us all. Thank you Tavis Smiley for you have shown the world that "you got balls".

© 2004 By Afromerica

Ms. E. Lee Sullivan will be keeping the Black community updated on the most current social issues effecting our lives. Visit regularly for new information that could help you pursue a more positive lifestyle.

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Afromerica: Where its all Black & white and some gray areas.

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