ISSUES #22: MAY 2016
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
- Vernon Heard -
AUGUST 2015
POWER
THE
EXCHANGE
There is a trend in the Black community that isn’t getting that much publicity. No big surprise there. I call it the power exchange. To the BDSM community, sorry... it’s not THAT kind of power exchange. It’s a surge in the community of awareness and empowerment. It's our youth taking a path to exposing and neutering crooked cops and politicians and making them accountable. Mostly though, the Power Exchange is a level of increasing unity and activism that takes the power out of the hands of those who would do us harm. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot to be dealt with as far as crime, murder and poor education systems in our communities but a shift in the mindset is afoot. The Black community is reverting back to a time of unity, communication and demanding what’s right and what's just. I'm waiting for the music to follow suit.
I credit the internet with creating a platform of national and global communication between, otherwise,
separated communities. It’s now easier to get the word out about isolated injustices, misconduct or straight up racism because the power to suppress information has been stripped away from local newspapers, TV and radio as camera phone footage and its viral circulation keeps perpetrators on blast. 6 o'clock news coverage is no longer required.
There are more Blacks seeking higher education and getting it. Some surpassing their own expectations of what they can achieve academically and setting the bar higher to begin with. This translates to more lawyers and PhDs. It translates into more educated leaders in our community and more collaborative thinking on strengthening our political and financial power. It translates to more potential legislators from the Black community. It translates to college grads with social awareness.
V. Ray
#positiveblack
#RiseShineRepeat
With awareness comes outrage. With outrage comes action. Be that a protest or demands for new legislation or first time voters mobilizing or people seeking to empower themselves through education or younger generations making the conscious decision to stop the self-hate and look for something greater within themselves and the Black community. This hasn’t or isn’t an overnight shift but the conversation has been evolving over the last couple of years. Less talking and more doing.
Be advised, our current batch of legislators are quietly trying to create or change laws to reshape or undermine the power exchange. This is their way of acknowledging the surge of activism and awareness rising against their status quo. Their actions aren't that covert either. Be they redefining voting districts, rolling back affirmative action, changing requirements for voting, allowing unlimited campaign contributions to
politicians, or striking down police body cam legislation, to name a few, the power struggle is real. There are no camera phones in the House and Senate so we have to stay aware of what is being proposed and voted on and let our elected officials know what we won’t stand for.
Make sure that your votes are not mooted by Electoral College shenanigans so that your outcries to your state and local representatives carry weight. I mean, who’ll care about the people’s protests and demands if the people making them have no weight on Election Day. Where do you think loyalties will lie? What school districts do you think will get funding? When’s the last time your kid’s school had new textbooks? Who is in charge of what appears in those textbooks? YOU ARE.
I was pleased to talk to my 19 yr. old cousin and hear her say that she will graduate college early (in three years, not four) and that she “might as well continue on for my Masters in Education”. Hell, you migiht as well. You might just be the first Black female president some day. Now THAT’S a power exchange.
