Jackson Free Press

Let us be dissatisfied until integration is not seen as a problem but as an opportunity to participate in the beauty of diversity.

When I heard that Councilman Kenneth Stokes and black Jackson businessman James Covington had gotten into a verbal scuff on Charles Evers' radio show, I was saddened—and not only because the media find this more newsworthy than many other significant news events of late.

When I heard conservative radio talk-show host Larry Nesbit mocking the voices of Kenneth Stokes and other blacks who had been calling into Mr. Evers' show arguing over the job Mayor Frank Melton is doing, I was disgusted.

When I heard Councilman Stokes railing angrily against Mr. Covington on Charles Tisdale's radio show—right after promoting the Martin Luther King parade the next day—I was flabbergasted.

When I heard Mr. Tisdale attack the "black-white power coalition" and "Uncle Toms" like Leslie McLemore and Marshand Crisler who are speaking out against some of Mayor Melton's more ludicrous decisions, and in support of public accountability and the citizens' right to know, I laughed.

Not that all this division is funny, mind you. It is horrifying. And it's not at all the dream Rev. King was talking about in his August 1967 "Where Do We Go From Here?" speech, in which he implored his followers to "be dissatisfied."

Let us be dissatisfied until that day when nobody will shout "White Power!," when nobody will shout "Black Power!," but everybody will talk about God's power and human power.

So just how is it that people of whatever race who celebrate the memory and goals of Dr. King are trying to drive wedges between blacks and whites who are ready and willing to work together? How does it serve Dr. King's vision for a black councilman and a black newspaperman to publicly lambaste a black businessman who was fired by a black mayor because the businessman supported the incumbent black mayor instead of him?

What would Dr. King have said about hard-working black citizens of Jackson fired without dignity or compassion 12 days before Christmas and, in some cases, at gunpoint?

What would Dr. King have responded to people being expelled from their homes, no matter how horrible the conditions, with no certain place to go?

Let us be dissatisfied until from every city hall, justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I suspect that Dr. King might have been dissatisfied. He might have even been angry that here in the city where so many fought so hard—here in the ground zero of the Civil Rights Movement where the brother of Mr. Evers was killed by a coward in cold blood in front of his children—some of our most powerful black leaders are preaching division. Sowing discord. Planting seeds of hate. Playing black against white, black against black, us against them, turning away even those who admire them.

In that 1967 speech, Dr. King warned that "[t]here will still be rocky places of frustration and meandering points of bewilderment" on the road to justice and true integration. Here we are.

Dr. King—who was human and had his faults—was, nevertheless, a brilliant man. He knew that the future of this country, the South, Mississippi lay in overcoming division and attempts, no matter where they come from, to "segregate" us into a society of us and them. He also knew that not only white people would try to keep us separated into groups, suspicious of each other, untrusting of people of our own race reaching out to people of another race. He probably knew that the "inevitable setbacks" would also include attempts such as those we are seeing in recent weeks—public displays designed to ridicule, belittle, hurt, tear apart black-white coalitions.

Sadly, the ridiculers look at least at bad as the ones being ridiculed. And that isn't furthering Dr. King's dream.

Let us be dissatisfied until men and women, however black they may be, will be judged on the basis of the content of their character and not on the basis of the color of their skin.

The society that Dr. King willed us is not a simple one, just as his legacy is not as simplistic as the one whitewashed and marketed to us every January and February. I believe strongly that he knew that true equality of the races is not condescending; that is, just as a white man is not right because he is a white man, so is a black man not right due to the color of his skin.

True equality and real integration in society mean that we do not hold someone back, or shut off their opportunities, due to their skin color. It also means that we do not give them a pass for the same reason.

In Jackson, we have an opportunity to transcend our racist past. But, to do that, good people of all races must stand together—yes, in that "black-white power coalition" that Mr. Tisdale so disdains—and do what is right for this city, not for a few powerful folks of one or another race who want their fiefdoms protected.

That might mean speaking up against leaders of our own race—but what is equality if not the right to be held to the same standard as anyone else?

We find ourselves in Dr. King's "rocky place" 38 years later. What are we to do during these "moments when the buoyancy of hope [are] transformed into the fatigue of despair"? We must unite, overcoming the forces that still want us divided and wallowing in hate for each other.

Or, as Dr. King told us at the end of that speech: "Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future."

Previous Commentsshow

How does it serve Dr. King’s vision for a black councilman and a black newspaperman to publicly lambaste a black businessman who was fired by a black mayor because the businessman supported the incumbent black mayor instead of him? Have you ever heard something so sad and ridiculous that you have to laugh to keep yourself from crying? The quote above is one of those things.

LatashaWillis

Jan 19 2006

It's sad that some black folks have adapted the very hate speech of the 40's and 50's that white folks once used to viciously to tear our community apart. Stokes, Tisdale, and many of their followers have seen the worst sides of white people thru segregation and Jim Crow. They vividly remember the injustices of separate public facilities, the wrongful arrests and terrorism of blacks by the then all-white JPD and white separatist groups, the racist bias of the local media (WLBT and the C-L in particular), and the separate-but-equal-in-name-only school system of the past, and are watchful and wary of any evidence of an attempt to return to those days, and rightfully so. They watched as whites began racing out of the City of Jackson by the truckloads in the 1970s and 80s following integration, leaving the inner-city in economic shambles. And they regularly hear these same white people who can barely contain their predjudice trashing and belittling this city on a daily basis now that it is a solidly majority Black city and under Black political leadership. And to be honest, integration has not fully realized the idealistic goals that were promised to us, particularly in the school system. But sadly, I think their experiences with the Mississippi of times past has so warped their perceptions that they see racism in everything white people say and do, and are quick to attack fellow African-Americans who don't share their worldview as sellouts and "Toms". They are a microcosm of what is a reality about Black America in the 21st century, that so many of our "leaders" appear to be still mired in the civil rights era struggles that they can't honestly acknowledge the progress that our country and our people have made since MLK was assassinated, and they continue to pander to our worst fears and prejudices about "The White Man". Does racism still exist? Definitely. (I've seen it on my own job recently) Do blacks still have legitimate concerns about racial equality in America? Yes, of course. But to say that black people who are interested in working within and forming coalitions with the white community are automatic sellouts is a betrayal of the ideals of MLK, who preached and died fighting for justice, reconciliation, equality and acceptance for blacks in America.

Jeff Lucas

Jan 19 2006

Nicely said, ejeff.

DonnaLadd

Jan 19 2006

The NAACP has historically had at least one white officer at any given time, and white and Jewish activists played a central and indispensable role in the civil rights movement. It was not a FUBU, separatist thing. Even Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael/Kwame Ture had white allies. More to the point, the most crucial early judicial rulings that ended state-mandated segregation came from all-white courts appointed by white politicians, who in turn were elected by a predominantly white populace. (And one of the central figures in all this, Earl Warren, was the former Republican governor of California, appointed to his post by the uber-Republican Eisenhower.) But I'd reiterate something Donna has said before, which is that this isn't all--or even mostly--a black problem. Predominantly white activist groups do a notoriously terrible job of integrating where it's assumed that if you wouldn't actually pull a chair out from under a black activist for attending, you're progressive on race. My good friend Dorothy Triplett--I feel comfortable mentioning her by name here because it's a damned good idea I'm quoting--once remarked that there is a huge difference between integration and mere desegregation. I know it sounds funny for me to say this, because I like to think I'm an educated guy with a good vocabulary, but until she told me that I'd never realized what the words really meant before. Making that distinction has literally changed my life, and certainly changed the way I choose to socialize. It isn't enough to "welcome" everybody. I have to be born again. If I'm not actually working shoulder-to-shoulder with equal and empowered people of other races in a natural, non-tokenized way, where the idea is not whether or not we "accept" each other, and then if those relationships aren't carried over to my personal life, then I'm not really in a position to call myself an integrationist. So I think a lot of the bigotry of Bluntson and Tillman and so forth is rooted in very real frustration from dealing with white activists who just aren't plugged into non-white communities, and who don't know what to make of black activists who have real power and self-confidence and are tired of having to care about being "accepted." They have rejected the hypocrisy of casual desegregation, but instead of moving towards King's dream, they've moved backwards. Verily, verily I say unto you: If you can't respect a black Republican, never mind a black integrationist Democrat, then you're not progressive on race. Not as far as I'm concerned. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Jan 19 2006

Ejeff, you're certainly an effective writer and I have always liked your thought processes. I don't even have to say again that I'm a big fan of Donna and Tom. I don't really know what to say about this. I will talk to my friend Kenneth some day to see what his actual position is and why he aced in a way that appears questionable. He's been more composed and respectful to everyone this term of office. I certainly hope the man was fired for a reason to do with performance and not just politic. Personally, I'm always going to do what is morally and factually right, as far as I can decide it, regardless of who it offends. I have had the black radicals call me soft and question my committment. I don't care what they say. I will be with them financially and otherwise when they're right and against them when they're wrong. I will likewise be with anyone of a different race when they're right without any worry about the consequences. We can't claim to love and accept Dr. king's legacy then act so contrarily. Racism and hate are wrong irrespective of who possess it. I used to listen to Malcolm X tapes. I love his powerful ability to tell story stories and to paint word pictures. When Malcolm was consumed by hate and racism his speeches were of the same nature as those given by Senator Bilbo, Eastland, Governor Wallace and other notorious bigots. When Malcolm and Dr. King were consumed by love and rightheousness despite being just as aware of black folks' horrible situations in America, you heard a speech composed of surreal, loving, integrating and galvanizing power. Black folks are just as capable of screwing up jackson and the world as any other group of people. Our best world will include all of us, not any one group. Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder could see that. So can I.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Hey Ray, great comments per usual. I should emphasize that, too, have liked Kenneth Stokes and appreciated aspects of him that, shall we say, befuddle many people I know. I enjoy talking to him one on one, and he has never treated me with anything but respect, at least to my face. He's been supportive of the JFP, and very responsive to our questions. We reported when the N-JAM types were misreporting what was happening with Obadele and about the facts of his past. We endorsed Stokes for re-election. And, as Ben Allen knows, I have said publicly more than once that I don't believe some of Mr. Stokes' past actions and appearances are any more shocking than some of Mr. Allen's. (Ben hates that, but hey he's the one who spoke to the CofCC back when, so that makes it hard to take extremely high ground when it comes to Mr. Stokes bringing Obadele here. Sorry, Ben.) That brings me to your comments about Malcolm and Martin. I agree with you so wholeheartedly. These men are made into caricatures with their words lifted out of context and without understanding that they were evolving humans who said the wrong things and spoke to the wrong people, too. I was fortunate enough to delve deeply into a survey of these men, their speeches (especially Malcolm), and how they compared and contrasted to each other. Through that, I learned just how close they were moving toward each other at the times of their deaths -- in ways that we all should be very proud of. They were evolving, with Martin picking up more of Malcolm's anger, even toward "fakes" in his own movement, and Malcolm was becoming much more willing to work with people of all races who wanted justice (due, in large part, to his eyes being opened about Elijah Muhammed's philandering ways and the corruption of the Nation of Islam of the time). They were learning as much from the people in their own "movements," as they were from anything else ... perhaps more. I believe Martin was trying to tell us a lot of that in the speech that I quote from above (and that Tom Head has on his blog). We must be audacious ... and be audacious together, united for love, justice and transcendence from a world where people of any race will use race to divide. That's a high goal, but hey.

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

A lot of people contrast Malcolm and Martin in history, but in the end, they ended up being a lot alike (which is why Malcolm was taken out by his own "brothers"). Black folks are just as capable of screwing up jackson and the world as any other group of people. So true. The trick to saying that is that only another black person can say that. Anyone else would be in hot water. This issue is just that sensitive. Remember the song "Sweep Around Your Own Front Door"? Brothas and sistas need to do that.

LatashaWillis

Jan 20 2006

Hey, I just said that, basically, in my editor's note above. I hope I'm not in hot water. ;-) Seriously, I think that we should be able to say that. After all, it's rather common sense that people of any race can do, and say, screwy things. However, the problem we white folks encounter is that, too often, when we say such a thing, it's only in service of excusing something awful our race has done. Or, is said in an overtly racist way. That is, the intention is bad. And you can't blame black people from reacting to offensive comments such as those. But I pride myself on calling out someone, regardless of race, on something I believe they are doing wrong ... as well as praising people, regardless of race, on something I believe they're doing great. And, as I say in this column, I believe it is ultimate condescension NOT to call out something wrong a public official does, because they are black and that might offend someone. That's ludicrous and bad for everyone. If we really want to see Martin's vision come to fruition, we've got to all work a little harder than that. I also find it remarkable when African Americans seem bewildered that I am so interested in Martin's dream ... because it doesn't "belong" to me or some such. That's not even logical to me. Read his words, and then tell me how we're going to get to that place in his dreams without some deliberate and audacious acts by white people. Explain it to me, please. Lerone Bennett said that "[t]he great lesson of the sixties, a lesson heeded almost nowhere, is that there is Negro problem in Mississippi and in America. The problem of race in Mississippi, and in America, is a white problem, and we shall not overcome until we confront that problem." I take those words seriously. White folks have to work very hard to overcome the legacy of racism that has been passed down to us. And, respectfully, black folks are going to have to work pretty hard not to pick up some of our bad habits.

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

Amen Donna. I agree with everything you said. We're picking up European habits far more quickly and firmly than I or the great W.E. Dubois ever thought we were capable considering our past predicament. Actually I reluctantly call arrogance, selfishness, and greed, et al, European habits. We all have them. European have done a masterful job of perfecting and giving them world stature. Lerone is a mississippi boy but I know you know that. I wish Malcolm and Dr. King were here now so they could tell us the truth about us just like they told white America. Wait a minute, I take back that comment. Both would be so disappointed and frustrated that they couldn't enjoy old age. I bet they would be more angry at us than they ever were at the white man for our own self-defeating and back-sliding ways. I bet they would be questioning whether many black males and their phantom fathers have gone stone crazy. Everyone can see America is not what it used to be. All of us must find our common good ground and work together for the good of all. Only a fool would still be playing the "we" versus "them" race game as the "we" and "them" clearly no longer have a single color or hue.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Yes, Ray, I know Mr. Bennett is a local boy. I heard him give a great speech right here in Jackson a couple years back, and I've enjoyed his writings for several years now. Also, I should add that I reverted to using the first names of "Martin" and "Malcolm" not out of disrespect, but because that's how Dr. Marable referred to them in my graduate studies. I just wanted that to be clear, being that some folks might be surprised that I'm referring to the great Dr. King in recent posts by his first name. And I agree with you: Neither would likely be pleased today, especially at the way their own legacies are often shaped.

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

Donna, I think many black folks' past's experiences won't allow them to think that a white person can truly be for the good of them without having some hidden motive or agenda. I bet there are very few black Mississippins who have white friends whom they visit or visit them. Living in Mississippi rarely allows this latitude. Personally, I can't see how any reasonable persons could read your writings then still totally question your authenticity or dedication to a cause beyond race. Don't worry too much about this. It's possible you can never overcome this. There are some fools who would question whether John Brown, the white abolitionist, was really against slavery, eventhough he died proving it (If memory serves me correctly). Last week while in Plano, Texas, I met a person married to a person of another race. I saw pictures of the children. That person said they're questioned repeatedly by people of both races whether those are his/her children. The parents of the couple rarely speaks to each other. The male person doesn't really speak to the mother of the female although the mother occasionally comes to his house to see her daughter and the children due to racism and non-acceptance on the part of the mother. I told the female counterpart of the marriage to give me his phone number so I could tell him to come home one day when his mother-in-law is there, and to grab her in a bear hug and refuse to release her until she says she loves him, too. You see, I know she wouldn't come to his house if she really hated him. Might I suggest that you keep on doing what you believe is the righteous and honorable thing to do, and let the chips fall where they may. One of my wife's aunt used to quite a poem called "Anyway." I can't remember any of the lines but I knew the message was to keep doing what is right anyway despite what people do or say. YOU WON"T BE THE FIRST OR LAST PERSON TO NOT UNDERSTAND US. Even Thurgood Marshall died confused about us. He once said while comparing America as the great meting pot and black folks' situation that "the black man never got in the pot or he didn't get melted down."

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Thanks much, Ray. Don't worry: I have no second thoughts. I must do and say what I believe is right. As you say, let the chips fall where they may ... and, I must say, that the people I meet and talk to every day tell me that we're doing exactly what we're supposed to be doing. I'm simply not one to back down from what I believe is right because it might make someone uncomfortable. I, too, can understand why blacks don't trust whites more. We have to earn the trust -- by truly meaning what we say, instead of spouting empty platitudes. And we need to learn to understand how things we say can be very painful. Speaking of, did anything else hear Larry Nesbit call New Orleans "chocolate city" this morning on WJNT. It was what could have been an interesting show with WAPT's Stuart Kellogg (a conservative who is against the regressive grocery tax and for raising tobacco taxes) and Ben Allen -- had Nesbit and some of those verbose callers quit barking long enough to let the other men talk. Councilman, I don't get the thrill of that show for you. Sorry. Will you please do a show with just Mr. Kellogg on it?

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

Unfortunately or fortunately, I have never heard WJNT? Where is it on the dial? Who is Larry Nesbit? The only radio I listen to is News and Notes on the way to work. After that I don't hear any radio. I thought Mayor Nagin said New Orleans would be a Chocolate City again. I was shocked he used those terms although clearly I believe he was merely wishing or hopeful New Orleans could return as it was before the storm.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

I know, Ray. He did say that. Along with the fact that Hurricane Katrina was God's wrath for the war in Iraq. Granted, not the smartest thing for this man to say...but he definitely got crucified in the press for it.

Lori G

Jan 20 2006

Ray, interesting you brough up Plano (I live only 10 to 15 miles from there, depending on what part of that area). It's in Collin Co., basically the Madison of the Dallas metropolitan area, although it's somewhat more multicultural (it does have a fairly hefty Asian population). While I won't go so far as to call Plano in general racist, it doesn't surprise me that such a story happened there. Still, to add yin to the yang, my cousin who lives there[*] is married to a Jewish lady and has no apparent problems with other people that I am aware of. *Actually they live in Far North Dallas, the northern panhandle of the city, part of which is in Collin Co. But it has the same essential mindset as Plano, so I think this counts.

Philip

Jan 20 2006

It's actually an interesting moment to consider: the difference between Ray Nagin saying what he said (like it or not), and Mr. Nesbit (a conservative white talk-show host, alongside Ben Allen who is absolutely pink in comparison to him) using it disparagingly for New Orleans. Or, at least so it sounded. Tone and intent matters, folks -- that is, if you care about improving race relations and understanding.

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

Hey, I just said that, basically, in my editor's note above. I hope I'm not in hot water. ;-) No, you're not in hot water. You're cool to me! :-D Of course, I'm referring to HOW Ray said it, not WHAT he said. Some folks are always looking for a fight. I wish Malcolm and Dr. King were here now so they could tell us the truth about us just like they told white America. Wait a minute, I take back that comment. Both would be so disappointed and frustrated that they couldn't enjoy old age. I bet they would be more angry at us than they ever were at the white man for our own self-defeating and back-sliding ways. I bet they would be questioning whether many black males and their phantom fathers have gone stone crazy. I guess you haven't heard about the Boondocks cartoon that is airing this Saturday. I'll be doing a blog on it. Even Thurgood Marshall died confused about us. He once said while comparing America as the great meting pot and black folks' situation that "the black man never got in the pot or he didn't get melted down." ROTFL! I think I jumped out of the pot!

LatashaWillis

Jan 20 2006

Phillip, the couple lives in Washington, D.C. The wife is from Baton Rouge and the husband is from one of the Carolinas. The area of Plano where I stayed was very rich-looking. The houses I could view were from $300,000 to $800,000. There were lots of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Donna, certainly tone, intent and context matters if you're a caring and decent person. I for one, although caring and decent, worry less about tone when the truth is spoken. I imagine this is obvious from some of my post. But I need some lessons in sensitivity. The women in the office are mad at me about half of the time. However, they can rarely prove me wrong on content and substance. I doubt I could give Nagin a free pass then jump on Nesbit for saying the same thing despite using it in a different context or having a different meaning. This is one of the situations where your enemy or foe makes you see your fault.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Would somebody tell me what the terms Btw and rotfl mean. I see them all the time but don't know what they mean. L.W. I know I could use some lessons on tone and sensitivity. No, I haven't watched or read any of Boondocks. I doubt that I will although I have certainly heard lots of talk about it. I don't like comic books. I never read them. I do know who the author or owner is, however. Based on what I have heard about Boondocks, I support and oppose some of the things it says. Lots of us jumped out of the pot, and are dedicating our lives to helping other jump out and to overcome. Thurgood Marshall never said that none of us overcame. It was error on my part to not tell the whole story. Some of us get mad when I or others of us criticize us. I don't care because I love us and know we're due much criticism for our situations we find ourselves in today. L.W., you jumped out of the pot because you wanted to and followed through on the desire.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

I might add, I'm rarely looking for a fight, if that comment was addressed to me. I look only for discussions and illumination. And I often find them.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Btw = "big tall wookie" rotfl = "Reagan only told f*cking lies" No, that's not it.

Rex

Jan 20 2006

"Bush told whoppers"?

Rex

Jan 20 2006

Finally, after I finish my class on tone and sensitivity, I'm going to suggest that a class be created and taught on accepting the truth without offense.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Ray: BTW: by the way ROTFL: rolling on the floor laughing ROTFLMAO: rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off And that's the truth. Sho-nuff. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Jan 20 2006

Would somebody tell me what the terms Btw and rotfl mean. I see them all the time but don't know what they mean. BTW - by the way ROTFL - rolling on the floor laughing More here. No, I haven't watched or read any of Boondocks. I doubt that I will although I have certainly heard lots of talk about it. I don't like comic books. I never read them. I do know who the author or owner is, however. Based on what I have heard about Boondocks, I support and oppose some of the things it says. I'm having some technical difficulties, so I'll just post the link to the story here. Some of us get mad when I or others of us criticize us. I don't care because I love us and know we're due much criticism for our situations we find ourselves in today. L.W., you jumped out of the pot because you wanted to and followed through on the desire. So true, and thanks for the complement.

LatashaWillis

Jan 20 2006

I might add, I'm rarely looking for a fight, if that comment was addressed to me. I look only for discussions and illumination. And I often find them. Whoa there. That wasn't directed at you. I meant people who can't handle the truth when it is told to them. I should have been clearer. Hope that takes me off your "mess list". ;-)

LatashaWillis

Jan 20 2006

Thanks LW. I'm gone for the weekend. I hope I haven't made anybody mad today. I love LW, et al.

Ray Carter

Jan 20 2006

Right back at ya, Ray. And if you did made someone mad, WHO CARES? :-D

LatashaWillis

Jan 20 2006

Power Corrupts. I don't think too many people realize we have to use power for good purposes, not our own ends.

Ironghost

Jan 21 2006

Amen Ironghost, I constantly make this argument to juries. Mayor Nagin has to always look at the big picture even when he see others acting in a racist way. He acted as it he had forgot that all eyes are still upon him. Moreover, if you rid yourself of racist views and thoughts you want be caught using them. I realize doing this isn't easy and is an ongoing process. Like Melton, he needs to think more before talking. He could have said New Orleans deservesd to be restored like it was before the storm because those displaced people help build and make the city the New Orleans it was before the storm. Could anybody argue with that.

Ray Carter

Jan 23 2006