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Can Donald Trump Make Black America Great?

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By Akosua K. Albritton

President-elect Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th US President 12 noon, on Friday, January 20, 2017. His rise to political power was unforeseen by most American households. Millions enjoyed him as chairman of the board for The Apprentice, repackaged Celebrity Apprentice for 15 seasons. His televised demands for President Barack Obama to present his birth certificate probably startled many viewers but did not have people come to the conclusion Mr. Trump was challenging the President to a duel for the Presidential seat. But how would he win that duel with Mr. Barack Obama doing his second term in office?

Choosing a different path to victory, Donald Trump played on the emotions of those living in so-called America’s Heartland who saw their landscape go from green—land and cash—to rust. He stated he would build a wall to stretch across the US-Mexico border, close entry into the United States for Arabs, make the Japanese pay for their defense, and had some African-Americans cringe when hearing the slogan “Make America Great Again”. He even said he would prosecute Hillary Clinton. His promises, bravado, and political strategy paid off when he won the election from the votes of the Electoral College.

The “60 Minutes” audience studied Trump’s composed, thoughtful side, on November 13, 2016. A side many hadn’t seen since the days of Celebrity Apprentice. Ms. Stahl asked the President-elect would he carry out actions he stated on the campaign trail. Mr. Trump explained in so many words that he said and did what was necessary to win the election.

Since November 8, Trump has steadily selected people for his cabinet. He works from Trump Towers which has created traffic nightmares in midtown Manhattan. Traffic snarls disrupt commerce and industry. His current selections include Michael R. Pence, Vice-President; Reince Priebus, Chief of Staff; Stephen Bannon, Chief White House Strategist; Jefferson Sessions, Attorney General; Benjamin Carson, Housing and Urban Development Secretary; Hugh Thompson Rice, Health and Human Services Secretary; Elaine Chow, Transportation Secretary; and Betsy DeVos, Education Secretary with 14 seats still to be filled.

Is Donald Trump building The Cabinet that will make America great again? Is his vision of “greatness” the same as the vision held by an American living in a city, suburb, or village? Does his vision of “greatness” include panoramas for America’s diverse communities to enjoy? This writer contacted elected officials, college research centers, and professors for their assessment of how the pending administration and social justice agents are preparing for the next four years. St. Senator Kevin Parker (SD 21) and Chair of Medgar Evers College Public Administration Department Prof. Wallace Ford responded to the query.

Professor Ford was appointed Chair of the Public Administration Department on January 24, 2014. For the past decade, in addition to teaching at Medgar Evers College, Professor Ford has taught Masters of Public Administration and Masters of Business Administration candidates at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Metropolitan College of New York’s School of Public Affairs, Pace University, John Jay College and La Universidad Externado (Colombia).

St. Senator Parker’s @senatorparker public service career is characterized by a commitment to a better New York. As the Special Assistant to former New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Senator Parker managed intergovernmental relations in New York City, and was the liaison between the Comptroller; city, state, and federal elected officials. Before taking office, Senator Parker was a New York City Urban Fellow and also served as Special Assistant to former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger; Legislative Aide to former New York City Councilmember Una Clarke, and Special Assistant to Assemblyman Nick Perry. As Project Manager with the New York State Urban Development Corporation, Senator Parker financed minority and women owned businesses and promoted community business redevelopment.

  • President-elect Donald Trump used what is called populist rhetoric during his campaign for the US President’s seat. Given his upbringing in an upper income household and his father giving him $1 million to start his business career, do you believe that he is able to relate to the average middle American citizen?

St. Sen. Parker: Trump won the presidential election, which reflects that there is a large population of Middle Class American citizens who believe Trump can relate to them and their needs. As the president elect Trump will have four years to showcase his ability to meet the needs of Middle Class American Citizens, particularly those in Brooklyn.

Prof. Ford: I believe that Donald Trump can relate to many Americans because he understands their wants and needs as the marketer that he is….he has spent his entire career creating imagery and a self-narrative that appeals to many Americans – allegedly self-made, presumably a rule breaker and a deal maker, ostensibly a playboy lover and devoted family man. His inherent contradictions do not deter his fans and customers, who now happen to be voters.

  • Some media outlets and thought leaders have made note of Trump’s choice to reside in sumptuous Trump Towers in midtown Manhattan rather than the White House. Does this choice in residence suggest a stance in his politics or constituent relations.

St. Sen. Parker: I do not see any disadvantages in having the President close to my constituents. Trump prided his campaign on being a non-conformist to traditions and customs of American politics. Now as the President Elect he is continuing with his message of being non-traditional.

Prof. Ford: Donald Trump has few, if any, deeply held political beliefs. He is choosing to reside in Trump Towers for the same reason NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg chose not to live in Gracie Mansion…..he thinks that his residence is nicer and he will spend as little time in the White House as possible.

  • What have you gathered to be Trump’s agenda for African-Americans?

St. Sen. Parker: I think this election presents a vats opportunity for the African American community. During his campaign Trump did not discuss a detailed agenda but he spoke about making improvements to inner cities and African American communities. It is important that we make him accountable for the next four years in serving our community.

Prof. Ford: Aside from his “what do you have to lose?” sideways pitch, Donald Trump has had little in the way of announced public policies that would specifically benefit African Americans….I think that he is working on the “rising tide lifts all boats” theory to wit, if America does better, African Americans will do better.

  • Do you know of a Black think tank, lobby group, or fraternal/religious/social organization that has presented its Black agenda to Mr. Trump before or since he won the presidential election?

St. Sen. Parker: I am sure there are some but this is now the opportunity to get our agenda on the table since he has not been sworn in office. The various groups that advocate and show concerns about issues in our community should use this time to get their agenda in front of him, which is certainly my plan.

Prof. Ford: No….and wouldn’t count on that happening during the first 100 or first 1000 days.

  • What is your impression of the latest cabinet appointments? For example, Betsy DeVos serving as the Education Secretary?

St. Sen. Parker: His cabinet appointments would not have been my first choices. But as the presidential elect he has his prerogative and we should give them the opportunity to do their job and work with them to see that they serve our community in the most effective way.

Prof. Ford: Donald Trump’s appointments – Betsy DeVos, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, Stephen Bannon – indicate the looming danger of a Trump presidency. He is empowering a range of right wing individuals who are philosophically and personally committed to creating changes that will dismantle governmental and popular orthodoxies ranging from civil rights, to environmental protection to women’s right to choose to the mandate for a social safety net.

 

Bed-Stuy’s Sumner Houses to Get Affordable Senior Housing

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Bed-Stuy’s Sumner Houses to Get Affordable Senior Housing

By Kings County News Service

Sumner Houses residents can expect nearly 200 units of newly constructed affordable housing for seniors in the next few years on their sprawling 22-acre, 13-building public housing complex situated between Lewis, Park and Myrtle Avenues and Marcus Garvey Blvd.

 The proposed development is part of the city’s NextGeneration plan, in which various NYCHA developments will have some of their property portioned off for private development with the proceeds going back to the cash-strapped NYCHA.

NYCHA officials met yesterday with Sumner Tenants Association members to discuss the plan in what was the first in a series of meetings with community stakeholders to iron out all the parameters and possible perks to be included in the proposal before NYCHA seeks a developer for the project.

“So far, they’ve been fair. We’re under no false illusions. New York City owns the property so we can’t stop them from building, but we do have input in terms of where they put it,” said Sumner Houses Tenant Association President Raymond Ballard following the meeting.

According to a NYCHA release, the housing will be 100% affordable and situated in one of two locations — a lawn area on Marcus Garvey Boulevard, or at the basketball court and parking area on Lewis Avenue.

NYCHA will maintain ownership of the land and provide a 99-year lease to the developers who will build, operate and manage the new housing.

Ballard said the devil is in the details regarding what is really affordable and noted that the AMI (Area Median Income) in Bed-Stuy is about $25,400 annually, but if the AMI takes in the entire New York City area, then affordability would allow for much higher incomes.

“I don’t know any developer who will put money up front that doesn’t look for a good return. Another question is what’s affordable. My take on affordable is whoever can ever afford to pay the rent,” said Ballard.

Ballard said the Tenants Association would also like to see the project to include amenities for all the Sumner Houses such as a recreation center.

NYCHA spokeswoman Crystal Walker said the affordability levels and target populations will be determined in consultation with residents and other community stakeholders.

She also said while there hasn’t been any presentations made before Community Board 3, there will be an ongoing series of visioning sessions with community stakeholders leading up to a Spring 2017 Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) from developers.

Walker said NYCHA has also spoken to Borough President Eric Adams, Councilman Robert Cornegy, Jr. and state Senator Martin Dilan – all of whom represent the area – about the project.

Cornegy’s office confirmed the councilman was in the loop on the proposal.

“As the mayor continues to roll out his affordable housing plan and funding from the federal government for capital funding shrinks, NYCHA will need to innovate. The building of the proposed senior facility is one such innovation that is needed in our community as Bed-Stuy is a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community. We look forward to working with CB3, Sumner Tenants Association and other community groups to create optimal living conditions for all residents,” said Cornegy.

Walker said if NYCHA receives developer responses by the end of 2017, construction would likely begin in 2019.

Black America and the Passing of Fidel Castro

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Black America and the Passing of Fidel Castro

By Bill Fletcher, Jr.  Published 26 November 2016

For many of us in “Black America,” Fidel represented the audacity that we have desired and sought in the face of imperial and racial arrogance.

Fidel met Black activist Malcolm X in September 1960 before a U.N. General Assembly meeting. Fidel would cross paths with many other history makers in his more than 50 years of political leadership. | Photo: Reuters

It is impossible to discuss Fidel Castro outside of an examination of the Cuban Revolution. And, while I hear that there are many Cuban Americans dancing with glee upon news of the death of President Castro, I know that the emotions within Black America are and will continue to be quite different.

For any Black person in the U.S. who knows anything about the history of the Western Hemisphere, both Cuba and Haiti have a special significance. Haiti, of course, for successfully ousting the French in 1803 and forming the second republic in the Americas; a Black republic. Cuba, in 1959, kicked out the United States, the Mafia, and a corrupt ruling class that had enforced racist oppression against most of the Cuban population. In the cases of Haiti and Cuba, their audacity in the face of a racist imperialism brought forth the wrath of their opponents.  How dare the Cubans stand up to the U.S.? How could a country of all of these “brown” and “Black” people insist that they should determine their own destinies?

Thus, Fidel Castro immediately had a special significance for countless Blacks in the U.S.. When I was quite young I remember my father telling me how his brother-in-law, a professor at Johnson C. Smith University, had sat watching the television as pictures were shown of Cuban exiles entering the U.S. after the 1959 Revolution. His comment to my father was that all that he saw were white-looking Cubans stepping off the planes or boats. No brown and Black Cubans. This told him something about the nature of the Cuban Revolution and its leader, Fidel Castro.

Fidel further endeared himself to much of Black America when he visited the U.S. and took up residence in the Hotel Theresa in New York’s Harlem. It was there that he met another icon, Malcolm X. It was situating himself in the Black community that shook much of the U.S. establishment and told Black America that something very unusual was unfolding 90 miles off the coast of Florida.

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Fidel Castro’s legacy: ‘True to his convictions’

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Fidel Castro’s legacy: ‘True to his convictions’
Image AFP

Fidel Castro was a towering presence in Cuba for more than 50 years. Dr Stephen Wilkinson, editor of the International Journal of Cuban Studies, assesses his legacy.

For Cuban poet Nicolas Guillen, there was a direct link between two of the biggest figures in his nation’s history.

In a poem from 1977, he wrote: “Lo que Marti prometio, Fidel lo cumplio” (“What Marti promised, Fidel delivered”).

Guillen’s poem refers to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti, the inspirational figure in Castro’s own political life.

Marti promised a Cuba free of US interference and, famously, a republic that would be as he put it: “For all Cubans and the good of all Cubans.”

Dream fulfilled?

Castro’s legacy will be judged against how successful or not he was in fulfilling that dream.

That Cuba, a nation of only 11 million today (and fewer than six million when Castro came to power) should produce two of the most notable statesmen in Latin American history is an extraordinary feat in itself.

And love him or loathe him, Castro was truly remarkable.

If his seizing of power in a popular revolution at the age of 33 was a startlingly precocious act, his maintenance of his position through five decades, 10 American presidencies (and 638 assassination attempts) is proof of his staying power and determination.

However, in all those years in power, did Castro really fulfill Marti’s promise?

He managed to remove direct US influence on Cuban internal politics and inspired leaders such as Bolivian President Evo Morales and the late Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, who picked up the torch of opposing and resisting US hegemony in the region.

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Trump Continues Campaign Theatrics at Ohio Rally | DiversityInc

David Mark Greaves
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The president-elect made the unusual decision to hold a rally post-election and used the time to once again promote division rather than unity.

Source: Trump Continues Campaign Theatrics at Ohio Rally | DiversityInc

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