#BlackLivesMatter on #MemorialDay2016

EYE am going to leave this right here.

After 2 tours in IRAQ #CalvinMckinnis get killed by Cop at a traffic stop #Blacklivesmatter #MemorialDay2016 pic.twitter.com/TX43AkIu35

— TrueBlackNews (@trueblacknews) May 30, 2016

Air Force Vet. #AnthonyHill unarmed NAKED shot dead in the street by Cop #Blacklivesmatter #MemorialDay2016 pic.twitter.com/ZmQTowGIwt

— TrueBlackNews (@trueblacknews) May 30, 2016

Sgt. #JamesBrown, 26, Survived Two Tours in Iraq Only to Die Begging for His Life in Texas Jail #Blacklivesmatterhttps://t.co/SCtLK3be6A

— TrueBlackNews (@trueblacknews) May 30, 2016

A RedEye Terri Sewell Sighting...Kinda

I've been asking where in the world is Congress Critter elect Terri Sewell ever since her *ahem* historic election to Congress. Well, she finally surfaced...sorta....kinda.

Fresh from it's well deserved vacation, the unofficial Terri Sewell blog of record, Left in Alabama offers congratulations to Alabamas first elected African American Congresswoman. Wow! I wonder when Left in Alabama is going to have it's first African American female front pager, but I digress. :)

The anonymous writer for The Selma Times Journal is confident Sewell will represent the interest of the Black Belt and crows (no pun) about the following;

For the first time in a long while, Alabama’s Black Belt has one of its own fighting for us in Congress and doing it is a woman this community helped raise and is extremely proud of.

I guess it depends on what the definition of "one of our own" IS seeing how Sewell hasn't lived or voted in the Black Belt for years.

mooncat shares the Selma Times-Journal's confidence that Terri Sewell will be a competent and conscientious representative for the Black Belt urging her to go forth and make Alabama proud.
Uh...all of that sounds great, but talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words. I hope I will hear some substance from the Congresswoman tonight during her appearance on the "Congressional Voices" segment of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric this evening. I don't want to hear a mumbling word about Y-O-U being the first female African American elected to Congress from Alabama, because it's not about Y-O-U, it's about the PEOPLE, remember? It's not about going to Washington D.C and being a Socialite with modest wealth. I hope those who say you are a fraudulent seat warmer are wrong. Not for my sake, but for the residents of the 7th district.

No go forth and work for the people of the 7th district, that will make all of us proud. The residents of the 7th district need and deserve a work horse, not another show pony.

My big RedEye will be trained on you like a laser beam.

An open response to a reader from North Carolina

I would like to share an email from a reader in response to Why I carp and whine and why I wish I didn't have to, a very personal diary, and my response.

Hello,

I like what you have to say. You have a wonderful background rich with history. A hard, tragic, emotion filled history, but you stood up for something and made a difference.

I am white, grew up in North Carolina and know nothing of such discrimination, except sexual discrimination. However, I can say that I am angry that I did not learn about the hardships of the civil rights movement, the deaths, marches and fights until much later in my life. I am angry that no one taught me about the Harlem Renaissance while I was in school or college. Someone decided that it was not important enough for me to learn. I am angry that I was not allowed to know about the church bombing, dynamite hill, the freedom riders, Rosa Parks until I went to college a second time. I went to school in the 80's and I did not learn of any of this until the 2000's. I am angry that these things happened, and I am proud that people stood up for what was right.

My point is that I am begging to be a part of a group that stands up for what is right. I thought that becoming a democrat would start me on that path, but all I got was volunteer to help a candidate. A candidate for governor that I only supported because I was trying to do what the party wanted. I saw Republicans standing on street corners, on the radio, really doing something, and all I saw democrats do was have "get to know you" parties. Maybe I haven't met the right people, maybe because I am a student my time is limited; all I know is that I wanted to do something that made a difference, like the group of people from the civil rights movement, and I thought democrats were the group that did things like that, I was sorely mistaken. I will NEVER vote Republican again, but right now I am disillusioned with our President for caving to the Republicans. I cannot believe that our country is headed down a path of such narrow-minded ideals that are driven by complete lies.

I am so glad that people from your generation stood up and made a difference, and I am thankful for all you did. Your age group is getting older, and I don't see, at least in Alabama, people standing up to take your place. I fear for our future when I see people getting elected that are completely improper such as our new Lt. Governor who lost education money, and the county coroner who doesn't even have the facilities and know how to do the job. In the meantime, I keep hoping, while looking out of the corner of my eye for a way out of this state into a more progressive area. Thank you for all you do and have done.

Dear Reader from North Carolina,
Thank you for reading and thank you for your response. It's gratifying to know my thoughts and words touch people. I love my county, city, state, country. In my own way, I'm trying to make this world a better place for everyone.

You are correct, my age group is getting older and people aren't standing up to take my place. I'm beginning to believe it's because they are afraid. Afraid of being ridiculed, marginalized, convicted, or worse. If that's true I fear for future generations. Like you I still believe in a place called Hope and will continue to HOPE for CHANGE we can believe in.

I share your disillusionment with President Obama and the Democratic Party. I'm still shocked the GOP infused, media-enabled, Tea Party was able to regain control of the House of Representatives and gain seats in the Senate. As I watch the Talking TeeVee Knucklehead's fall over themselves gushing over the goppers today I want to hurl. I sincerely hope President Obama and the Democratic Party wake up and smell the damn TEA before it's too late and stop trying to negotiate with Sharks.

Unlike dolphins, sharks are not known for their intelligence. They are basically lethal eating machines with fins. They have no grand strategy. They don't look toward goals in the future. They just live to prey on other living organisms.

That's pretty much what President Obama has to deal with in terms of the GOP. They are now, reportedly, going to try and destroy the modest gains in health care reform, even though their proposed dismantling would increase the federal deficit. Then, when it comes to the destruction of our economy, the Republicans are going to prescribe more of the same toxins.

You are not alone in your lack of knowledge about African American History, I believe it should be a stand-alone required course along with American History. There are still some who are trying to whitewash history with censorship. Knowledge is power, shared knowledge makes us powerful, which is why I believe republicans are so anti-public education. They want to keep the people dumb so they can keep them in line. So far, they're doing a pretty good job.

Some rays of HOPE, President Obama is still the President, Democrats are still in the majority in the Senate, and the remaining Democrats in the Congress are progressives/liberals. If the GOP minority could obstruct the President's agenda, the democratic minority should be able to obstruct the Tea Party agenda. I said should, because it depends IF President Obama and the Democrats have the will to obstruct the Tea Party agenda. Time will tell the truth.

Again, thanks for reading, and please keep HOPE alive!

Redeye

DADT is a Equal Rights Issue

The recent repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and the discussion comparing it to the passage of the Civil Rights Act made me curious about the role played by people of African descent in our nations battle for freedom from British rule. During my research I was surprised, but pleased to learn of the importance and the influence of the nations Black communities before and after the Revolutionary War.

Prior to the Revolutionary War there were more than 5,000 Blacks living in the 13 original colonies. Most of them were slaves, however the larger cities (Boston, Philadelphia, New York) had thriving communities of free blacks.

Free blacks in the antebellum period--those years from the formation of the Union until the Civil War--were quite outspoken about the injustice of slavery. Their ability to express themselves, however, was determined by whether they lived in the North or the South. Free Southern blacks continued to live under the shadow of slavery, unable to travel or assemble as freely as those in the North. It was also more difficult for them to organize and sustain churches, schools, or fraternal orders such as the Masons.

Freedom was the principal motivation for the African Americans in the Revolutionary War.

The American Revolution was not only presented as a fight for liberty for white colonists. Some African Americans saw the Revolution as a fight for liberty, but their own liberty and freedom from slavery. Others responded to the Dunmore's Proclamation, and fought for their freedom as Black Loyalists. Benjamin Quarles believed that the role of the African American in the American Revolution can be understood by "realizing that loyalty was not to a place or a person, but to a principle".[1] Regardless of where the loyalties of the African American lay, they made a contribution that was often disregarded, to the birth of the United States. During the American Revolutionary War, African Americans served both the Continental Army and the British Army. It is estimated that 5,000 African Americans served as soldiers for the Continental army,[2], while more than 20,000 fought for the British cause.[3]

After the initial battle General George Washington and Congress forbid men of color from participating in the fight for liberty.

Revolutionary leaders began to be fearful of using African Americans in the armed forces. They were afraid that slaves who were armed would up rise against them. Slave owners became concerned that military service would eventually free their slaves.

In May 1775, the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, stopped the enlistment of slaves in the armies of the colony. This action was adopted by the Continental Congress when they took over the Patriot Army. George Washington in July 1775 issued an order to recruiters, ordering them not to enroll "any deserter from the Ministerial army, nor any stroller, negro or vagabond".[11]

This order did not apply to blacks already serving in the army. In September 1775, the southern delegates moved that Washington should discharge all blacks, free or slaves. The northern delegates were aware of how brave the African Americans had been in the Massachusetts battles and opposed the notion. The blacks that were already in the army were then allowed to finish out their enlistments.

In October 1775, Washington announced that all blacks, both free and slave would be "rejected altogether." In November he said that "Neither Negroes, boys unable to bear arms, nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be enlisted."[12] Most African Americans were integrated into existing military units, but some segregated units were formed, such as the Bucks of America.

The British realized they needed every man, regardless of color to fight and recruited black soldiers with the promise of freedom.

Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia was determined to maintain British rule in the southern colonies. On November 7, 1775, he issued a proclamation that he would free black and white bondsmen who came to fight with the British. By December 1775 the British army had 300 slaves wearing a military uniform. Sewn on the breast of the uniform was the inscription "Liberty to Slaves". These slaves were designated as "Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment."

This struck fear in the American's and made them change their tune and rescind the ban on African Americans serving in the military if they wanted to chase the British from American shores.

The African American Patriot who gave loyal service to the Continental Army found that the postwar military held no rewards for them. State legislatures like Connecticut and Massachusetts in 1784 and 1785 banned all blacks, free or slave, from military service. Southern states banned all slaves but some states allowed free men to serve in their militias. In 1792, the United States Congress formally excluded the African American from military service, allowing only "free able-bodied white male citizens" to serve.[20]

Many slaves who fought did receive their freedom, but many others did not after their owners reneged on their promise to free them for service in the military.

There are some who say being gay is not the same as being black when it comes to military service, but I say it comes down our LBGT sisters and brothers having the equal right to serve our country. I am glad DADT is a relic of the past. It was as stoopid as not letting African Americans serve openly in the military during the Revolutionary War. We are all Americans, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

If you want to know more about African Americans and the founding of our country here are some references;

The American Revolution, Lighting Freedom's Flame

"How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of Negroes?" Samuel Johnson, the great English writer and dictionary maker, posed this question in 1775. He was among the first, but certainly not the last, to contrast the noble aims of the American Revolution with the presence of 450,000 enslaved African Americans in the 13 colonies. Slavery was practiced in every colony in 1775, but it was crucial to the economy and social structure from the Chesapeake region south to Georgia. Slave labor produced the great export crops of the South-tobacco, rice, indigo, and naval stores. Bringing slaves from Africa and the West Indies had made settlement of the New World possible and highly profitable. Who could predict what breaking away from the British Empire might mean for black people in America?

African Americans and the military

The United States military is full of examples of the sacrifice made by African Americans. I find it amazing and absurd that the likes of someone like Sarah Palin questions if African-Americans are loyal citizens. Since the arrival of the first slave ship African-Americans were some of the first to give the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and America.

The first such example is that of Crispus Atticus, the first casualty was in the Revolutionary war. During the war against the British, King George III offered enslaved blacks their freedom if they renounce the United States and fight for the crown. The majority fought on the side of Gen. Washington and the United States.

There has been no war fought by or within the United States in which African-Americans did not participate, including the Revolutionary war, the Spanish-American war, the world wars, civil war, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (we are the only group that can make that claim!). Now you tell me, how could anyone question the patriotism of African-Americans?

While you're reading check out DownWithTyranny!

Knowlege is power!

Pigskin and Politics Redux

I'm still basking in the after glow of the New Orleans Saints win over the Baltimore in the Super Bowl of all Super Bowls. Who would have thought the Ain'ts would win the Super Bowl? I mean really? As a Saints fan from way back in the days of paper bags and losing seasons, my heart is full today.

The Saints win is proof that anything is possible. That hard work and perseverance pays off in the end. That nothing beats a lose but a try. That courage and faith can overcome any obstacle. The democratic party should take heed and learn the lessons of the world champion New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans Saints History and American African American History
In honor of Black History Month The African American Experience in Professional Football is a must read for football fans and history buffs.

The New Orleans Saints franchise was the result of a back room deal.

The brainchild of local sports entrepreneur Dave Dixon, who also founded the Louisiana Super Dome and USFL, the Saints were actually secretly born in a backroom deal brought about by Congressman Hale Boggs and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The NFL needed congressional approval of the proposed AFL-NFL merger.[4] Dixon and a local civic group had been seeking a NFL franchise for over 5 years, and had hosted record crowds to NFL exhibition games.

Read about the behind the scene deal making HERE

The Saints were the offspring of Congressional approval of the National Football League-American Football League merger in 1966. And it was Boggs, the House majority whip at the time, who guided passage of a law that granted the leagues the limited immunity from antitrust laws that they needed to merge.

The AFL (American Football League) was more liberal than the NFL(National Football League).

Early on, the American Football League began recruiting from small colleges, which the NFL had avoided. Drawing on this source of talent that had been essentially untapped by the NFL, in the AFL's first year its teams signed such stars as Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton), Lionel Taylor (New Mexico Highlands), and Abner Haynes (North Texas State). For black players, the AFL's recruitment from small colleges opened a door that the NFL had cracked only grudgingly. On a per-team basis, the AFL had a significantly greater number of black players than the NFL, which had still not fully overcome the exclusion of blacks precipitated by the entry into the league of openly bigoted Redskins owner George Preston Marshall. Accordingly, the American Football League hired many more black college talent scouts, including the Houston Oilers' Tom Williams and The Kansas City Chiefs' Lloyd C.A. Wells, pro football's first black full-time scout, who was credited with signing AFL Hall of Famers Otis Taylor and Buck Buchanan as well as a half-dozen other Chiefs who achieved AFL All-Star status.

Minority players in the NFL have increased since the early days and Recent surveys have shown that the current, post-merger NFL is approximately 57–61% non-white (this includes African Americans, Polynesians, non-white Hispanics, Asians, and people that are mixed race.) The NFL made history in 2007 when two teams coached by African American Head coaches were in the Super Bowl,e number of minority head coaches in the NFL is still lacking according to this report.

Ironically, former Baltimore Colts coach Tony Dungee was the first African American NFL head coach to win a Super Bowl and the Baltimore Colts have some Bama ties. Baltimore Colts Corner Back Jerraud Powers is a native of Decatur, Alabama and a former Auburn Tiger. Defensive End Robert Mathis is former Alabama A&M Bulldog.

Who Dat? We Dat!!!

Peace Out.