EDUCATION OF RESIDENTS OF COLOR NOT A PRIORITY

 

For these are all our children. We will profit by, or pay for, whatever they become.

----James Baldwin

The report from sources at Connecticut Juvenile Training School clearly shows disregard for education of residents. A new school facility has been built at CJTS for older residents [ 18-20 years old ] residing in building # 6 on Units 6B, 6C, 6D. However from reliable information this blog writer learned the following story about a horrible situation in which residents ( of color mostly ) were placed in a new school setting that was not thought out in terms of logistics. Vocational curriculums, books, and teachers were placed into the new school for older residents in order to meet deadlines in order to gain finances from outside sources. Also when this charade of a school opened on January 27, 2015 chaos roamed the new facility masquerading as rationality. All over America there have been demonstrations by ethnically diverse activists to claim #blacklivesmatter as it relates to black men being killed by law enforcement. Yet by not providing proper educational tools, books, and proper thinking to open up this school clearly shows CJTS residents – mostly of color- do not matter.

For readers who are not familiar with CJTS and the culture of racial animus at that facility let me educate you. This blog has highlighted numerous accounts of conflict between Youth Service Officers of color and white management. Former employee Cornell Lewis et al., tried to make public all the things that led to a racially toxic milieu at CJTS. YSOs filed petitions, demonstrated outside of CJTS in Middletown, Connecticut plus launched a class action lawsuit in 2010 focusing on racism. White management then fired Lewis on trumped up charges; but an arbitrator reinstated Lewis stating the punishment did not follow proper procedure. Clearly there is some type of disrespect for people of color on the DCF Plantation, disciplinary actions show how 66% of terminations focus on men of color. Let me also add the employment of DCF shows people of color only comprise 45% of the total base.

Now there is a situation where residents of color are herded into a new educational facility that is not prepared to teach them basic skills. Does the scenario just described show concern by white management that #blacklivesmatter ?? In conclusion let us be honest and state opening that school is all about acquiring financial resources for the expansion of the DCF Plantation. There is no way on earth white people would allow their children to suffer such indignities associated with being placed in such a school setting. And to make matters worse, the resources taken from the original school at CJTS caused younger residents to go to classes like art or math two-three times. There are no resources in the original school after stripping it and jamming vocational tools in this new facility for older residents. People are marching around Hartford talking about #blacklivesmatter; in my estimation it might be wise to focus on white supremacy and what it is doing at CJTS.

THE TIME IS NOW, MORAL MONDAY !

THE TIME IS NOW, MORAL MONDAY !

SINGIN’ WID A SWORD IN MY HAND

Singin’ wid a sword in my hand, Lord,

Singin’ wid a sword in my hand.

Purtiest singin’ ever I heard… Singin’ wid a sword in my hand.

The above lyrics to this song came from The Books of American Negro Spirituals by James Weldon Johnson & Rosamond Johnson. These words are appropriate for the context of this blog story today and with upcoming event on Feb. 2, 2015 called Moral Monday. Bishop John Selders has been on the front lines in Ferguson, Missouri in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s shooting death by a white police officer. Selders witnessed and participated in demonstrations calling for justice in the death of Michael Brown. It is in the spirit of Ferugson and New York --where black man Eric Garner was choked to death by police—that the theme of Moral Monday was born.

There have been activities in Greater Hartford by some ( not all ) people with delusions of grandeur to highlight the tragic deaths of Brown and Garner, but they have fallen far short of collecting and allowing the rage of people to be heard. At this juncture there is a sense of frustration about the way existential angst of the oppressed ( over these two deaths ) was packaged and presented to the power structure in a sanitized manner : allowing city and state leaders to feel comfortable and not threatened. However the TIME IS NOW for Moral Monday to properly demonstrate there is a segment of the population that did not buy into leadership that packaged the angst of those marching, did not have adequate representation by women or the LGBT community on the speaking agenda, and turned the rage of people into a Pollyanna love fest.

To hell with serene settings that make people feel comfortable- THE TIME IS NOW for the true vanguard to step forward.

 Moral Monday gives the people hope and a voice.

 Moral Monday is not looking for pie in the sky for salvation but realizes salvation comes through struggle.

Moral Monday states clearly the aims of the oppressed – justice now !

Moral Monday sends out a Macedonian call to man the barricades.

Moral Monday beckons all with true revolutionary fervor to come Feb. 2^nd at 3pm to Christ Church at 45 Church Street in Hartford.

THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED

EXISTENTIAL ANGST FROM WHITES REVEAL BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

The recent protests of black and whites activists in America ( over the deaths of Michael Brown / Eric Garner ) are causing concern among some members of the dominant population. If you read FaceBook posts or media reports it is clear existential angst in happening to some people. What is causing this uproar are methods or tactics used by activists of a younger generation to make dramatic social points; highway blockages, die-ins, occupation of malls, opera halls or movie theatres. The oppressed masses and allies seek to inculcate upon the thinking of America it is not alright to kill human beings whether black or white.

In my responses on FB or in private conversations an almost hysterical primal cry is coming form members of the dominant population about how recent tactics by activists are "counter productive, misdirected foolishness of the uneducated, leaderless meandering of disgruntled fools etc." One lady on FB tried to convince me how "blocking a freeway does nothing to educate." Many of these arguments have been raised before by whites but now I am noticing the hysterical replies to activists tactics. Then suddenly this epiphany occurred to me i.e. existential angst from whites reveal being uncomfortable. Now those activists tactics are causing people who traditionally enjoy certain benefits from being white to not only suffer from highway blockages, but being uncomfortable as they sit in sterile surroundings like an opera house. Also these younger protestors are black , white, Hispanic, straight and gay. Ergo, it cannot be said it is only blacks again bringing up images of slavery or the ghost of reparations for descendants of slaves.

Yet below the level of consciousness something else is happening to members of the dominant American society-- oppressed people and their allies are determined to highlight their points regardless of who is uncomfortable. And the fact that other whites have joined with the mixed rabble or natives in social protest is even more troubling to the hysterical Greek Chorus : Bob Dylan sang a song about "the times are a changing" but seems as if whites ( and old moderate Negro leadership ) cannot fathom this current movement is not built on foundations of old Civil Rights models of " love your enemy" and non violence.

And in the final analysis perhaps that is what is causing existential angst and this uncomfortable feeling from some whites.


story submitted by Ajamu

WILL THERE BE EMPLOYEE ACTIVISM ON THE PLANTATION IN 2015 ?

The Youth Service Officers working at Connecticut Juvenile Training School decided to finally protest against their negative treatment by management in 2014. YSOs did not sign petitions or hold meetings due to sudden inspiration or angst. No, their sudden activism was aroused due to several factors (1.) three YSOs were fired due to the machinations by management to silence activist Cornell Lewis, (2.) YSOs endured racial animus emanating from right wing Caucasian peers, (3.) management targeted five employees of color that filed a class action lawsuit against CJTS in 2010.

It was only after all of the things mentioned above happened that YSOs decided to get some back bone and stand up to the oppressors implementing draconian policies. The question for today is will these YSOs fight the power at CJTS in 2015? For years at CJTS and other facilities run by Department of Children and Families racism and employee abuse ran rampant, unchecked and vicious. Finally small groups were willing to fight but a majority stood on the sidelines watching, afraid their overtime might be reduced or of losing a job. Now these same people who got involved  [ barely ] in 2014 must take risks to make certain their egalitarian rights are gained --no matter what the cost.

In a few days people will observe the Martin Luther King national holiday with speeches, songs, lighted candles and dancing- let us hope they will throw in praxis at the CJTS plantation.

IF WHITES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING RACISM THEY SHOULD GO DO IT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

I keep hearing comments from blacks / Hispanics about feeling uncomfortable with whites leading demonstrations in protests against racism  by police toward black men. Now before people start pointing fingers at this blog writer let me be clear, other folk are saying this. All over America activists are marching, singing, staging die ins or blocking highways about Michael Brown being shot dead by white police in Ferguson and Eric Garner's choking death in New York. Suddenly there are thousands all over America voicing disapproval about black lives not mattering ( at least to some officials ). White allies stand before television cameras with manifesto statements or analysis of what is wrong or how to correct it ( racism towards blacks ).

However inquiring minds want to know why if whites want to truly change things they do not start with white communities. According to what black activists are saying it is easy for whites to saunter into oppressed communities and demand an end to police brutality or injustice. The real challenge is going to be whites going to their communities and trying to change worldviews of peers that hold onto notions fostering the current racial atmosphere in America. Just read comments on social media to get a flavor of what is being discussed in white communities. A large percentage of whites display worldviews which support the most recent manifestation of racism toward black males et al., and are busy blaming everyone and thing - except the social structures set up by whites- that feed this kind of racial animus. Marching around in black communities does not take much courage if you're white, you get to go home to safe enclaves at night. If these same white activists challenged peers to address their distorted worldviews about blacks, change laws regarding mass incarceration of black males, or other such issues, it might not be a comfortable situation. Lets be completely honest here. White activists would be run out of town on a rail if they tramped around their neighborhoods seeking reparations for blacks or asking peers to let go of entrenched thinking which view blacks negatively.

Meanwhile back in black communities the demands for justice ( as it relates to this latest spate of black men being killed by white cops) is growing louder and more intense. At the forefront of events are white activists claiming solidarity with black folk while ignoring going to their own peers with accusations of enabling this racism to exist. The path of least resistance is certainly marching in black communities singing Civil Rights songs, lighting scented candles, making speeches and feeling good after the protests are over. A bigger battle for white activists would be going to power brokers in various domains demanding change in structural racism. Do you think for one minute that kind of situation will be comfortable for white activists where people know them ?? I think not. And maybe this thought of feeling uncomfortable is why whites don't run like bats out of hell into situations where their people who hold power dwell.

In conclusion I can only say if whites are serious about fighting racism they should go do it in their own communities.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS RAGE OF THE OPPRESSED MANIFESTS ITSELF

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers-sisters, comrades thank you for the opportunity of speaking here today. We are observing conditions all over America of a new assault on people’s egalitarian rights. People of color, especially black men, are gunned down in the streets or choked to death by law enforcement officers. While all of this goes on there are so called leaders making sure community rage is managed in order to placate the powerful and maintain “business as usual” i.e. keeping the people under control. Today I want to talk about what might happen when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself.

   The current protests can be more intense when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. At this juncture there are several forms of nationwide events allowing would be activists chances to feel as if something meaningful has been done by die ins, peaceful marches and scripted made for television arrests of protestors. Songs, chants, placards and freeway stoppages are commendable but don’t advance the cause of social justice. People in power laugh at these current efforts put forth by protestors. When the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself cries of liberation will fill the air while night skies glow with proof positive that things are indeed serious. Ward Churchill wrote in his book Pacifism As Pathology “ there is not a petition campaign that you can construct that is going to cause the power and status quo to dissipate. There is not a legal action that you can take; you cannot go into the court of the conqueror and have the conqueror announce the conquest to be illegitimate and to be repealed; you cannot hold a prayer vigil, you cannot burn the right scented candle at the prayer vigil, you cannot have the right folk song. This monstrosity called the State maintains itself by force and can only be countered in terms that it……understand.” If people listening understand the climate in America towards blacks is getting worse then these current protests can and must be more intense.

  White allies must follow and not lead when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. It is apparent that white allies are committed to seeking justice for people deprived of egalitarian rights in America. Let us not discount help in our struggle against legalized forces that are currently killing black men and calling it justified. However as this battles rages in American streets some whites have taken center stage, causing a riff in the struggle of blacks / Hispanics etc. This situation affects people of color and should be led by them, but now certain white groups come into situations with worldviews not helpful to agendas presented by victimized blacks. When the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself black people will tell whites to fall back to the end or middle of the fight, not seek front row status. If whites cannot understand what they are being told by victims of racial animus then perhaps those allies need to be excluded altogether from this movement; who in hell has time for nonsense in the midst of such a grave situation. Lastly let me state one more point which is…

Victory demands sacrifice when the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. There are people marching in the streets of America thinking and acting as if this is some sort of game. For too many folks there is no sacrifice because they go home to safe neighborhoods and are not targeted for injustice daily. These people will only sacrifice so much because there is no true feelings for the victimized people of color in America; marching, chanting or getting arrested is some badge of honor. But when people of color want to increase the intensity of protests to include maybe violent protests, allies vanish like morning dew on the Moors of Scotland when the sun rises. Historically all conflicts by hoi polloi ( common people ) include sacrifice i.e. loss of jobs, beatings, lynchings, ethnic cleansing and death. What makes activists think power structures will give up any semblance of authority without clear signals of collective determination from atomized people? For far too long Americans have thought about protest in terms of sanitized events with no real sacrifice needed to obtain concrete goals.

  In conclusion there can be no victory against injustice until the righteous rage of the oppressed manifests itself. Thank you.

 

 

MEMO TO WHITE FOLKS REDUX

White Folks: Act Up Accountably Notes from the SURJ Action Team Louisville SURJ Rally for Ferguson, December 2014        We are experiencing a profound moment in history right now in response to continued systemic anti-Black racism with the murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner being... http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/archives/2216