Why BOTH Democratic candidates should attend the NOLA State of the Black Union.

[Maddy McCall]

And why I praise Hillary for doing so:

***************************************

Clinton is scheduled to speak at "The State of the Black Union," a symposium organized by broadcaster Tavis Smiley, who says he is also focusing attention on the state of black New Orleans.

"New Orleans is a sort of municipal metaphor for two things, for the possibility of renewal and the possibility of revitalization," said Smiley on Friday. "On the other hand, it is a municipal metaphor for maltreatment that so many people of color receive in America."

snip/

According to demographer Greg Rigamer, the Lower 9th Ward has seen only 9.9 percent of its population return, making it the neighborhood with the fewest residents so far despite frequent visits by politicians and notables who outlay their rebuilding strategies at the levee walls there.

snip/

Monique Harden, co-director of the public interest law firm Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, believes U.S. politicians are no longer paying attention. Harden went to Geneva this week to take her case to a United Nation's committee.

"People who are displaced have the right to voluntarily decide whether they want to come back," she said, citing U.N. standards for displaced ethnic groups. "The response of our national government has been to create conditions that won't allow that to happen in New Orleans."

Some demographers point to class, not race, as the primary factor in the post-Katrina shape of the city. A September 2007 study by The Brookings Institution, which used census figures, found that post-Katrina New Orleans was not just whiter, but older, with fewer renters and a more-educated population.

Rigamer's numbers bear that out, but also raise the race question. Affluent areas are fully recovering and even flourishing; but they are also predominantly white. The Garden District has seen 107 percent of its population come back, the French Quarter 103 percent, and a hipster neighborhood called The Marigny has a 100.3 percent return rate.

Smiley said he will press Clinton, the only presidential candidate to respond to his offer to attend the event, on her plans for New Orleans. But he still saw hope in the volunteers who started their work a day before Clinton's arrival.

"They were young and old, educated, not so educated, black, white, brown," he said. "It was a beautiful thing to behold."


More at: http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-37/1203729246211300.xml&storylist=louisiana

[MethuenProgressive]

1. I'm watching it on C-Span, really a terrific event.

Bless those that are putting it on, and shame on those DUers who are trashing this event.

[zabet]

3. It is sickening the way

they have trashed the
event. Whether Obama
attended or not, the
event remains important.
They have even thrown
Tavis under the bus. x(

[Maddy McCall]

5. Hero worship at DU is a fickle endeavor.

Today "Tweety" is a hero. Tomorrow he's the most hated man in the universe. Or Keith Olbermann. Or Mary Landrieu...

It's funny to watch this happen at DU.

[Tess99]

7. Who is "they"?

[jasmine621]

4. I second "the shame on you."

It really saddens me to see this happen to this event and to Tavis. I hope the healing can begin once this primary season is over. If Hillary wins, the hate-mongers who have infested the media and our brains with lies and distortion about the Clintons will have a filed day. If Obama wins, I really do not believe the Hillary supporters will be nasty but will work hard to heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon us.

[ginnyinWI]

2. but why does Obama need to go? nt

[NDambi]

6. As a Black woman, I've followed this thing on black radio from sometime..and will tell you..

the majority of black people I know and have spoken with, don't see where it's necessary for Obama to attend--there are plenty of other blacks in leadership that can speak on the issues of the state of the black America; without him getting in the cake batter.

I believe, Barack should stay away, he's running for president of the United States not Black America. Hillary attending the event will be viewed completely different than if Obama attended. People will say, oh look Hillary cares about the issues in AA community, while Barack will be inundated with subliminal "he's only concerned about black issues" do you see him attending Latino, Native American, Asian, Pakistani or Caucasion synposiums!

So, he's damned if do..damned if he don't by some.

But the AA community is strongly behind him not attending..as evidenced by the numerous calls on Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey morning shows, Michael Baisden's afternoon radio call in show...and other places like Black America web that's been discussing the issue for sometime.

In addition, anyone that has listened to Tavis Smiley on Tom's show, as I have consistently done for the last 15 years, will know he's a huge Bill Clinton fan, always has been. Does that mean, he's on the attack because of it...I don't know..I only know, he's been in the Clinton corner for sometime..and has often spoken of his fondness for the Clintons' (esp Bill on morning radio).

[ginnyinWI]

8. I'm glad you said that!

I totally agree, but as a white woman I didn't feel like I had the credibility to say it. Obama made the right choice again. :)

[Maddy McCall]

10. To ignore a city destroyed by Katrina and forgotten by the federal government?

To bring a strong voice to the city that politicians have forgotten?

Yeah, good choice.

[ginnyinWI]

11. He was just in New Orleans--come on now. n/t

[Maddy McCall]

12. And he should have been there today.

Why on earth not go? Because their votes don't matter today?

[NDambi]

13. Sorry Maddy...Black America disagrees with you..this synposium isn't just about Katrina and NO

The same people that say he should be there..will find a reason to tear him down or label him THE BLACK MAN for attending.

I personally think he's better off not attending...he's running for president of the US, not New Orleans, and not Black America.

[Maddy McCall]

16. I say that any Democratic candidate, REGARDLESS of race, should be there.

And there has been black criticism for him NOT attending, so obviously you aren't the singular voice for all of black america, which, to my knowledge, is not monolithic in thought.

[NDambi]

18. No, we are not monolithic in thought..,,but I can tell you a majority of black people feel the same

as I do.

Of course there has been criticism in the black community for him not attending, but compared to those which think he shouldn't, it's quite small. If you're watchng the synposium, it's quite obvious. I don't even need to tell you about my experiences in life and all those calls to black radio or posts on black blogs and websites.

It's nice to saty all Democratic candidates should attend, but I disagree, Obama has bigger fish to fry and doesn't need to be labeled the "black candidate!"
Whether you want to believe it or not, some in the media and/or those on the other side, will find a way to spin it againsthim. Did Obama attend a Latino, Native American, Asian or Caucasian synposium? Well, why not, isn't he running for the president of the United Stated, isn't he for all the people. Translation: He will focus only on issues that face black america and put their concerns first. Call me pessimistic, but that's how I see it...and I call it realism, and again, I'm not alone in that sentiment.

He's smarter to focus on the bigger picture...he can address New Orleans and other issues without attending this event..there are plenty of other leaders in the black community that can speak to and for Katria (as evidenced by the number of people on stage and in the audience). Obama is not misses..I prefer he do what he's doing...and I'm not alone in that sentiment, be in the black community or elsewhere.

[Maddy McCall]

9. You in New Orleans? Affected by Katrina?

Because New Orleans still needs attention from the federal government that is currently not being given it.

The focus of this forum is what's still not being done for people of ALL RACES in New Orleans. I hope you just heard Donna Brazile's beautiful address about the topic.

[NDambi]

14. So are you saying...New Orleans is going to suffer and issues not be addressed because

Obama is not there?

[Maddy McCall]

15. I am saying that we need attention that speeches by Democratic candidates will bring.

[NDambi]

And I disagree that Obama being there will make a difference..

Whoooooa...Al Sharpton spoke his peace...

[NDambi]

17. And I disagree that Obama being there will make a difference..

Whoooooa...Al Sharpton spoke his peace...