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An open Response to An Article in the Village Voice

"A New National Agenda for the 21st Century"TM WOFC2001

Is Jesse for Sale?

By Peter Noel

As a current community leader in Oceanhill Brownsville, I certainly believe
that the cadre of self appointed Leaders of the "African American Community"
need a total wake up call.

Indeed, you, Mr. Noel and many others are aware that there is a large group
of "sell out" sold out, hold out, self appointed, media anointed leaders, who
certainly have not accomplished any major social or political change in the
last 30 years.

The civil rights era produced changes in the law, that are milestones in
strategic activist civil rights struggles, that the leaders back then won
with their blood!!! Today we cannot even get a law passed to stop racial
profiling, which is, a violation of already existing federal cil rights law.

The question then, Mr. Noel, is when are we going to take Activism off the
auction Block in the 21st century and realize that the market for leadership
is wide open?

The Community does not need another "Fund Raising" march on the Capitol
without an agenda and legislation for the capitol on hand. Why are our
leaders being silent while the entire U. S. Senate is now 100% white and
without minority representation? Where were they during the botched census
count?

Tell me, have you seen any substantial, quantifiable group improvements since
the series of modern marches on DC et al.??

Let's face the possibility that in the 21st century, we better stop
conferencing and truly WAKE UP!!!!

I for one am tired, of being considered the patient of society, and spoken
for by self anointed leaders propped up by themselves, and the media. Is
there anyone out there with a fresh perspective???

Reginald H. Bowman, President
Community School Board 23
Oceanhill Brownsville
Brooklyn New York
January 21, 2001

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December 2000

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 A Sister's True Beauty -essay by Erica Hawthorne

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 Charles H. Pennie

Back in the Day - essay

Don't Cry For Joey

When We Were Negro

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