ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH DCF & THE COMMUNITY IN HARTFORD

A friend sent me a posted Facebook flyer by e-mail today about the Department of Children & Families. The title of this flyer read Home Invasion vs. Home Restoration Controversial community discussion  w/ DCF. This pow wow with DCF is taking place tonight [ Dec. 27, 2013 ] in Hartford at 136 Westland Street, Urban Hope Refuge Church. My friend who sent me the FB page said "Cornell you might be interested in this." At first my reply was brief, but upon reflection, it seemed necessary for a longer reply on FB. Now that reply is going to be part of this blog article.

 DCF uses linguistic acrobatics to quell potential storms or public relation threats to it's hegemony. For several years a small group has publicly taken issue with not only DCF but Connecticut Juvenile Training School about racism etc. Now after a series of negative media stories about racism in both agencies a new strategy has emerged. DCF has launched out into the community with a message of trying to bring people together in understanding. Say what? It is no secret that both DCF / CJTS do not relate to their employees of color very well. And it is also common knowledge how people in Hartford's Northend feel as  DCF invades homes and takes children out for nebulous reasons. Certain people and black churches play directly into DCF's strategy by hosting jive forums for the masters of verbal prestidigitation to attend. For years such talking forums have not caused a noticeable shift in DCF policies, when it comes to firing black male employees at a higher rate (66%) than other ethnic groups. What is really going to change tonight? DCF will trot out talking head representatives to mollify the unwashed masses, leaving them in a somnolent ( sleepy ) state.

Change can only occur when people stop doing what is predictable. DCF is use to picket signs and forums where issues get talked to death, but change is only an after thought. New or aggressive ideas are needed to first rattle the oppressor then topple their power structure. It was two years ago a group went throughout Hartford's Northend knocking on doors --- explaining people's rights versus DCF. In a three month campaign No DCF Zones were created. It caught the attention of DCF and many residents embraced the concept. Volunteers went from Albany & Garden Streets to Vine. Then up Vine to Capen & back to Albany. The Associated Press covered the story and sympathizers  within DCF said " those folks ( hiearchy at Hudson street ) are nervous."

When oppressors want to make inroads in the black community they find willing sycophants in our religious community to lead the way. My grandfather called such religious leaders in league with oppressors " plow horses." Such a term is meant to convey the image of an animal braking up soil for seeds to be planted. And historically black people listen to their preachers instead of using critical thinking & deductive reasoning in solving issues. Now we have Negroes acting like plow horses i.e. preparing the minds of black people to accept vebal swill from DCF. Instead of running to movie theatres watching a story about Nelson Mandela, act in his spirit. Tell DCF to stop invading homes where people of color reside. If black people stood up and collectively confronted DCF there would be no need for another jive forum tonight.