The Minority Report

Editorial:

Today I read an article that stated two more community groups were split on the HISD Bond referendum that is to come before voters in November.  The community has been split over this issue in the last couple of months, much to the pleasure of those that are leading the opposition against the bond.  The criticisms are constant.  “Saavedra will not walk all over our community”, “They didn’t go about it the right way”, and even “We’re going to show them so that they do it right the next time.”  The Minority Report is compelled to ask the question in the midst of all this banter…What about the children?  The reality of this bond proposal is that no matter which way you slice 805 million dollars it all leads to black and brown children benefitting.  Since it was first introduced the Bond Proposal has been altered, including the removal of school consolidations and some of the campuses that were scheduled to close will remain open. This came as a result of community concerns being expressed.  I believe it’s time that our community start holding on to what’s important and stop making noise about things that are not going to bring about progress.  I know our community history and schools are important.  But so are our children, and if they can’t compete in a world that is constantly changing then they will compete in a world that remains constant such as our prison system.

I don’t have children.  I hope to one day.  I hope they can get a quality education in the schools that my tax dollars pay for.   Our children’s future ought not be something that we use as a political issue that wedges us against each other.  We have to begin to educate ourselves on what the real issues are with this bond issue.  HISD is over 50 percent Hispanic and almost 40 percent African American, therefore no matter what way the money is going children of color will benefit.  Everyday we are seeing an increase in the number of schools that need to be evacuated due to environmental issues.  We see schools in communities of color that lack the technological infrastructure of those in richer and more suburban school districts.  We talk about equity in education and adversely attempt to deny our children the resources it will take to compete.  I hope those that oppose this bond are prepared to deal with the consequences our children will endure.  Be clear that denying the children of HISD this bond may result in parents later giving them money for a different type of bond, the kind that are issued by a judge instead of a voter.

Well readers I am back.  As the great hip hop producer Timbaland once stated, “It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you without a dope beat to step to.”  What can I say IT happens..Sue Me!  Good to Be Back!

One of the highest grossing movies of the holiday season was Will Smith’s Pursuit of Happyness where he portrayed multi-millionaire Chris Gardener who asked the famous questions, “What do you do? and How do you do it?” .  When I think of that statement I am reminded of what people often ask me when referencing B L A C K D E M S.

As we enter the new political season B L A C K D E M S decided to take what we do to another level.  As we continue to educate, energize, and empower we feel it is important to inform people on the policy issues that will face them in 2007 on the federal, state, and local levels. B L A C K D E M S has grown through much adversity to become a voice seeking to empower the grass roots individuals of our community.  Often this mission is frowned upon because our organization has sought to provide everyday people with the opportunity to play a role in the way their elected officials were elected and ultimately invite others to do the same.  For a long time the politics of the African American community has been controlled by a bourgeoisie that often masks their personal agenda behind the idea of what is “best” for the community.  Unfortunately, the community does not get much input into what is really best for them.  In the coming months we seek to better educate the masses on what impact specific policies will have on their everyday lives so they can have an instrument to be better heard. 

As we celebrate Black History Month we are thankful for the contributions and progress African Americans have made in this country.  However, we understand there is still much to be done to insure this progress in not rolled back. We trust that our elected officials will continue to uphold the values of our community and those things that have sustained us over the years. However if those values are not upheld we are here to make sure those most affected know about it. B L A C K D E M S will soon unveil our policy priorities for the next year covering a range of issues from HIV/AIDS to Education issues on every level of our government. We welcome the input of those that are well versed in the issues, as well as those that are often forgotten. Many will review this agenda with the usual criticism that this agenda will only be designed to benefit those that are members of B L A C K D E M S. To those critics I simply say, “You’re Right”.  Luckily, that also includes YOU!! Come let your voice be heard! Come learn what we do and be apart of how we do it.