Arthur Shores, Rufus Lewis, Dr. C.G. Gomillion, Q. D. Adams, Isom Clemon, and Beulah Johnson must be turning over in their graves

H/T Speaking Out News

  Dr. The Arthur D. Shore Superior Leadership Award was presented to Eddie Cedric Sherrod, Sr. on May 11, 2013 by Dr. Joe L. Reed, chairman, Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC). Eddie Sherrod, Madison Co. ADC chairman, received this award for his consistent record, community outreach, dedication, and overall effectiveness for more than a decade of service to the people of Alabama and ADC.

The History of the Alabama Democratic Caucus, also known as the ADC

"The Alabama Democratic Conference, formerly known as the Black Political Caucus of Alabama, was established in 1960. Its leaders were African Americans who wished to encourage all voters, but especially other African Americans, to vote for the democratic candidate, who at the time was John F. Kennedy with vice president Lyndon B. Johnson. The founders of this influential group include Arthur Shores, Rufus Lewis, Dr. C.G. Gomillion, Q. D. Adams, Isom Clemon, and Beulah Johnson. All of these individuals held respectable positions in their communities and were looked up to by the people, especially by other African Americans."

It has come to my attention the Chair(s) of the Madison County Chapter of the Alabama Democratic Conference  thought it was appropriate, for lack of a better word, to have District 1 School Board mis-representative Laurie McCaulley, who was ostracized from the black elected officials group for siding with WARdynski against her constituents,  serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for their annual membership breakfast, and, to add insult to injury, honor Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey WARdynski for doing the following:

Casey you have to break the mold and prove you're not afraid of minorities, democrats, liberals, aclu types and the entire entitlement crowd! Do that, and you'll be doing the job you were hired to do! Oh yeah, not to mention striking down all racial transfers. And that includes allowing not allowing whites to racially transfer either. If you don't like where your child goes to school, move to where they can be zoned into a school of your preference, that's what I had to do!

 Why? I mean, seriously, why would a group of democrats honor a card carrying, republican for proving he is not afraid of minorities, democrats, liberals, aclu tyes and the entire entitlement crowd?

Somebody talk me down, because EYE am going to start taking names and making a list of the Uncle Toms and Aunt Thomasina's around here.

a black who is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)

With democrats like this, who needs republicans?   Psst Madison County Chapter of the Alabama Democratic Conference, you either need to lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way of those of us who are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

RedEye stomping away from the computer to go make a list and check it twice.

This is not your Daddy's Alabama Democratic Party...Or is it?

Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., shares a moment with Peggy Wallace-Kennedy, daughter of former Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace, prior to being introduced to the congregation gathered at the Brown AME Chapel in Selma, Ala., on Sunday, on the 44th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act.

Key words... a symbol of change in Alabama.   From where I sit I see lots of symbolism but very little change due to the deep racial divide within the Alabama Democratic Party.  The white wing needs the black wings vote in order to "win" elections, but after they win, they govern like republicans. When the black wing dares complain about their mist-treatment, or demand equal rights they are accused of being divisive, code for shut up, stop whining,  go along to get along.  

The present Chairman is trying to "reinvent the Alabama Democratic Party"  but what does that mean exactly?  Based on actions and comments it means getting rid of Joe Reed and his bunch of people.  There's only one problem with that...getting rid of Joe Red and his bunch of people will return the Democratic Party to the party of Segregation Today.  Segregation Tomorrow.  Segregation Forever.

So who are Joe Reed and his bunch of people?  

The Alabama Democratic Conference, formerly known as the Black Political Caucus of Alabama, was established in 1960. Its leaders were African Americans who wished to encourage all voters, but especially other African Americans, to vote for the democratic candidate, who at the time was John F. Kennedy with vice president Lyndon B. Johnson. The founders of this influential group include Arthur Shores, Rufus Lewis, Dr. C.G. Gomillion, Q. D. Adams, Isom Clemon, and Beulah Johnson. All of these individuals held respectable positions in their communities and were looked up to by the people, especially by other African Americans.

Since the time of its establishment, the Alabama Democratic Conference has only gotten more influential. In fact, it now promotes the democratic party throughout the entire state thanks to having many chapters and other affiliated organizations.

The mission statement of the Alabama Democratic Conference is simple. It is to "organize" and to "unify" the vote of the African American population and also to make the African American vote and opinion appreciated and respected. The organization worked tirelessly for ten years after its inception before these results truly began to manifest themselves. It was a long, hard road, but the members were simply not willing to give up on what they thought as important. Things really changed for this group in 1970 when it began to screen and endorse actual democratic candidates. This brought more attention to and knowledge of the group. The Alabama Democratic Conference also focused on having voter registration drives, monitoring voting, employing African Americans, and helping African Americans to be able to run for office and to hold high positions. Thanks to the group's hard work, there are now more African American elected representatives in Alabama than there are in any other state. While this cannot be due entirely to the Alabama Democratic Conference, it certainly wouldn't have been possible without its dedicated efforts and concern.

There are some (not to be confused with all) white democrats who believe this group and it's leader(s) have served their usefulness and it's time for the Alabama Democratic Party to unite, but that's kind of hard to do when one group takes the other group for granted.  What ever his faults ADC Vice Chairman  Dr. Joe Reed has always been reliable voice for progressive issues in Alabama.

Joe Reed served as Executive Secretary of the Alabama State Teachers Association from 1964 to 1969, where he became nationally known as a champion of employee rights. He was the key negotiator for the ASTA leading up to the merger with the AEA, and subsequently serves as Associate Executive Secretary of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) to this date. Joe Reed is also a member of numerous professional associations.

Joe Reed has served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention eight (8) times; he served as Chairman of the Alabama Delegation during the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. He is Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC) and Vice Chair of the Democratic Party for Minority Affairs, and he was National Co-Chair for the Committee of Educators for the Humphrey/Muskie ticket in 1968. In 2008 Hillary Clinton outreached to Joe Reed (before Barack Obama was viewed as a serious contender in the 2008 Presidential race), to be her pointman in the area.

In 1975, Joe Reed led the efforts to get equitable representation for blacks on the Montgomery City Council. His efforts resulted in four blacks of nine being elected. He served on the Montgomery City Council for 24 years. In the Democratic Party today, Alabama’s black representation exceeds all other states in the nation. For over 40 years he has led the effort to get more blacks elected and appointed to public office, including federal marshals, federal and state judges, members of the boards of registrars, legislators, county commissioners, city councils, and school boards. He drafted two plans that increased black representation in the Alabama House of Representatives from 13 to 27; and in the Senate from 3 to 8 in 1982, and 1992, respectively. He also drew a reapportionment plan that provided for 25% (two of eight) majority black districts on the State Board of Education. Alabama is the only state in the nation where the Legislature reflects the state’s population of blacks and whites.

As long as some (not to be confused with all) white democrats see Joe Reed and his bunch as the problem the Alabama Democratic Party will continue to be Your Daddy's Alabama's Democratic Party.

 Symbolism is nice, but substance is better. 

 I'm just saying....

"Greatly Honored Are Those Who Have Been Persecuted for the Sake of Justice!"

Alabama Democratic Conference Chairman Dr. Joe Reed, Alabama State Senator Hanks Sanders and others who fight for justice must know this scripture from Matthew 5:10; 13:20-21 by heart because I think about it whenever I read comments like these;


Don't lose hope.  Joe reed, Hank Sanders and "Dick" arrington will be dead from old age very soon.~Takenoprisoners

ADC-in my opinion needs to be...a dying cause...Because they are useless to the state party of the people~DemoGirl

Joe Reed will have his power but it will be over a sadly shrunken party~mooncat


I had some hope when the SDEC stood up to Reed in 2006, but now that his son is following in his footsteps, I may have to give up.~ Kathy

Jesus taught his disciples to honor those who are merciful, those with integrity, those who make peace,  those who stand up for the poor and the pious,  the outcast and the upright.  Joe Reed and others face the consequences of  Christian discipleship by being persecuted for the sake of justice, just like Jesus himself. And NO, I'm not saying Joe Reed is Jesus, I comparing the consequences and  similarities of their actions.

In his persecution for the sake of justice, Jesus became powerless, like the destitute and the mourners.  Jesus' body became a human billboard, not unlike the hanging bodies of black men in the South, left on trees by lynch mobs as a warning to those who would challenge the power of the empire.  Naked, helpless and exposed to the world, the crucified one was debased. and the honor of his family, destroyed.~Confessing the Beatitudes Margaret Aymer

Joe Reed  isn't the enemy of the democratic party, and those who treat him as such need to stop.  We can't stand up for the least and the left out by tearing downs those who do.  You're either with us....or you're with them.

"If God is for us, who is against us?"Romans 8:31-39.

Today's Must Reads
You Bad, Bad, Black People
Police Shooting of Mentally Ill, Unarmed  Man in Alabama Triggers March
Final Memories Trayvon Martin 9 Days before the Miami Dade Public School System sent him to his death
Marissa Alexander Stood Her Ground-No one  was injured or murdered-She faces 25 years in prison.

When all the fingers on the hand work together they form a mighty fist~Mama Jo from the movie Soul Food

A Democrats .02 worth on the Alabama Democratic Party

How will Alabama Democrats rise again? According to the resident Left in Alabama righty , the south, I mean the Alabama Democratic party could rise again if them there special interest groups would get out of the way and stop standing in the school house, I mean party door.

The ADP, and in particular the Democratic primary, has come to be dominated by two special interests groups, AEA and ADC. Now, there is nothing wrong with special interests groups except that these two have demonstrated a willingness to torpedo any candidate that doesn't march in lockstep with their agenda, no matter how good that candidate may be overall.

For those who don't know AEA stands for the Alabama Education Association,

The Alabama Education Association (AEA) is the largest education association in the state of Alabama. The AEA is an advocate organization that leads the movement for excellence in education and is the voice of education professionals in Alabama. Our mission is to promote educational excellence.

ADC stands for the Alabama Democratic Conference.

The Alabama Democratic Conference (the Black Political Caucus of Alabama) was founded in 1960 by a small group of black citizens who banded together that year in an effort to influence black voters to support the Democratic presidential ticket of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Among the founders were: Arthur Shores, a highly respected civil rights lawyer in Birmingham; Rufus Lewis, a successful Montgomery businessman and former coach at Alabama State University; Dr. C. G. Gomillion, a college professor and activist at Tuskegee Institute; Q. D. Adams a gifted salesman and civic promoter from Gadsden; Isom Clemon, a powerful labor leader among Mobile County longshoremen; and Beulah Johnson, a feisty Tuskegee educator.

After seeing the special interest (teachers, students, administrators, support personnel, minorities,labor) these two groups represent, why in the world wouldn't they torpedo anyone who doesn't march lock step with their agenda? I mean, really? What is the point of having an overall good candidate (whatever that means) if they oppose everything you stand and fight for?

I guess it depends on what the definition of a good candidate overall IS.

We began this last state election cycle with two good candidates (IMHO), Davis on the Democratic side and Byrne on the Republican side. Both (again in IMHO) got torpedoed by the two groups I mentioned.

Actually the torpedoing was the other way around. Davis on the democratic side torpedoed the ADC by pandering to the right and expecting them to vote for him because he was an African American running on the democratic ticket. Byrne on the republican side torpedoed AEA with this so called 2 year college corruption probe allowing the legislature to switch from blue to red.

Further more states the resident righty the agenda of these two groups are so out of line with the average voter that a candidate who meets their approval can not win a general election. Yes, in a primary, they can still defeat a candidate but that is far different than electing a candidate.

Translation, they cater to them there minorities, public school teachers, and labor unions. I don't know who the average Alabama voter is exactly....but I'd be willing to make an educated guess it's a right wing, bible thumping, anti public education, anti minority, anti labor, anti choice republican. So you're darn Skippy the agenda of these two groups don't meet the approval of the AEA and the ADC. Sure don't. That would be like a chicken supporting Colonel Sanders.

It's not about electing a candidate. It's about electing a political philosophy/agenda. Average Alabama voters rejected, renounced and repudiated Artur Davis and Bradley Byrne agenda's. End of story.

Fear of serious injury cannot alone justify suppression of free speech and assembly. Men feared witches and burned women. It is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears.~Justice Louis D. Brandeis