Reflections on the Congressional Black Caucus Weekend
I had a wonderful opportunity this weekend to attend the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference at the D.C. Convention Center, and what a pleasant affair it was! The highlight came for me when I shook the hand of Barack Obama after he delivered an electrifying speech at the $700 a plate (I knew someone ya’ll) black tie dinner on Saturday night.
Now in the past, I’ve always looked upon these kind of events as just another chance for the Black Bourgeoisie to flaunt their wealth and status, and in the evenings get their groove on. However today I see things completely differently, and have come to understand the need of every people to celebrate their successes and engage in pageantry. How much more so for African Americans, who have come from so little to achieve so much.
At that dinner there were literally hundreds of people - Black people - who earn more than a hundred thousand dollars a year! There I was, surrounded by some of the most powerful people in America, - Governors, Congressmen and women, State Legislators, Business Executives, and even a potential future President - almost all of them of African descent. Not only that, but I also observed that these descendants of slaves were being protected by the most elite security apparatus in the world, the United States Secret Service.
There I was thinking to myself, what would the “Founding Fathers” say if they could see these dignified Black citizens -not even 150 years removed from slavery - being guarded by the unit usually reserved for the President of the country, and possibly containing of some of their own descendants. It was something I had always taken for granted and never fully appreciated. Not that I didn’t know it before, but it only confirmed for me again the greatness of this country and my desire to live nowhere else.
Attending the CBC Weekend also helped me to realize that I need to step up my game. This is where I need to be on the regular, around successful, educated African Americans working to make a difference in the community. Sure, there’s some foolishness that takes place at these events – I know that. But serious work is also done, with thousands of dollars raised for scholarships as just one example.
So yes, as you have probably surmised by now, I WANT IN!
JazakALLAHU khayran for your comments!
Indeed, this is the face of Blackamerica that most Americans don’t see, educated, refined and dignified.
What I saw there just motivated me more to work in our Muslim community to make it become more organized, polished and professional.
Nice meeting you at the CBC, akhi.
This is something some that we have been very lax in as Africian Americian muslims .We have to be involved we can no longer sit on the outside and then condemn those who are standing up .Remember the excuse some brothers from amongst would use to curtail involvement in our community .That is nationalism,those are kufr,or the sahaba did not engage in protest ,or the shaykh said protest are haram so why supporting that kufr methadolgy.Yes brother attending CBC is very important legaslation,budgetary issues,healthcare,educaution,prision reform ,consumer issues and other things are tackled at this important weekend .Hopefully more contingents of grassroots muslims and black activists will attend.By the way I hpoe the CBC take a strong stance aganist this bail out aganist these Wall St.and banking industry criminals.
Did anyone at the CBC take responsibility for their part in contributing to the destruction of the international banking system?
If you don’t know what I mean, please see CSPAN compilation :
Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs
Burning down the house: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewJdT_iHxU
What Just Happened
I see the majority of these so called dignified refined black americians once again caved in and voted for the bailout.This reminds of when the CopeAct came up for vote in the house .The CopeAct was regulation which would turn the free and open information superhighway into a toll road and lift regulation that force cable and telephone companies to serve the poor and minority areas .Only 13 out 40 voting CBC members in the house had the courage not cave in the corporate bribers and vote in favor of there constituents.This bill would allow cable companies to deny service to entire demographic areas .Yes we must attend these meetings but we also have make known the track record of the caucus.I remember a article a few yrs. ago explaining how the tobacco industry influences votes in the caucus through there contributions.By the way the so called favorite son of Africa Mr.Obama was on the phones trying to convince members of the caucus to vote for this distorted bill which will just ripoff the Americian people.Is this the type of misleadership we want.I see markets are still going crazy despite the bailout this a world wide global crisis.Both Obama and Mcain campaigns are finance by these robber barrrons.Also Paulson has 525 million dollars invested in the stock market .Rember he worked for Goldman and Sachs.It is a done deal we aregoing to be subjected to econmic terroism from the elite .Take there money to pay for more bailouts, defensefund bills and occupation of other countries.If this a wake up call I don’t what is.
Bro.Dawud your right we must work harder in our communties.Just always remember also we have to be priincipal so that money offered by outside forces wont disrupt progress in ourown communties.
Salaam Alaikum
@ Abdur Rahman
“Attending the CBC Weekend also helped me to realize that I need to step up my game. This is where I need to be on the regular, around successful, educated African Americans working to make a difference in the community. Sure, there’s some foolishness that takes place at these events – I know that. But serious work is also done, with thousands of dollars raised for scholarships as just one example.” AR
SS: Ma’sha’Allah! I’m sincerely happy that you have found your niche—a place where your talents, skills, and abilities are respected, appreciated, and beneficial to both the underserved, and the overachiever. I wish you nothing but peace, prosperity, and joy in all your future endeavors. For what it’s worth, you will always have my respect and a special place in my heart because you are humble, and do not look at your ethnicity as something to be ashamed of. Unlike some other BAM’s who attended the conference, I know you attended with the spirit of representing the issues of concern to BAM’s instead of seeking civil rights protection for IMM groups who have consistently devalued us. Thank you, thank you, for that.
THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMMIT!
: )
@ Kwame
Brother, I love your spirit!
Lol : )
Thanks for sharing that information about the cable companies that is really interesting. Think you can post a link?