Breaking News
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Black Political Engagement – The MWBE Imperative: Fair Share for People of Color
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From the Archives: This Way to Fair Share: The Politicians, Political Parties and Voters
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INSPIRITATION or FEAR? Engaging Black Voters
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Don’t Let “45” Take Credit for President Obama’s Economy
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CEOs Close to Trump Deciding When to Advise and When to Leave
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Over the Years, Americans Have Become Increasingly Exposed to Extremism
Greater Commentary
Can Hasan Harnett Sell Voter Suppression?
Educate, Organize and Mobilize — Whether he’ll actually pull it off remains to be seen, but clearly he intends to sell voter suppression and if Black voters aren’t educated, organized and mobilized, Harnett may do it. On Saturday, June 6, 2015,
Read MoreWhat Blacks Need To Do: Summer Educational Plans for Students and Parents
PROBLEMS: Many students never open a book during the summer. They sleep until around 1:00 pm and only get up to raid the refrigerator when their stomachs start to growl from hunger pains. They hang out in the mall, a
Read MoreA Response to Voter Suppression: Educate, Organize and Mobilize
(thethirdreconstruction.com) — Several weeks ago I wrote an article intended to be an alert to Black voters of the threat that the 2013 NC Voter Suppression Act, aka, the NC Voter Information Verification Act, posed to Black citizens desiring to participate
Read MoreTo Be Equal: A Message for the Class of 2015
“Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. / It’s had tacks in it, /And splinters, / And boards torn up, / And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare. / But all the time / I’se been a-climbin’ on,
Read MoreBlack Voter in November 2016
Educate, organize and mobilize — (thethirdreconstruction.com) I continuously monitor the political polls and conversations about the results of North Carolina elections in 2014 and the electoral prospects for 2016. There are several germane topics on these issues that I believe are being
Read MoreA Battleground for Voter Suppression
In early April I wrote that, when the 2016 General Elections roll around, if progressive advocacy groups haven’t engaged in a massive campaign to defeat voter ID and other voter suppression tactics, their inaction will result in Hillary losing North Carolina
Read MoreWhat Blacks Need To Do Who or what is the first Priority in this allegory?
THE PROBLEMS: A husband went to the police station to file a missing persons report. Husband: “I lost my wife. She went shopping and hasn’t come back yet.” Police: “What is her height?” Husband: “Average, I guess.” Police: “Slim or
Read MoreThe Quest for an Equal Opportunity America
Educate, organize and mobilize – (thethirdreconstruction.com) – Many concerned Americans, me included, are searching for ways to get our country beyond its long history of segregation and racial division. To this end, the mission of the Third Reconstruction is to create a
Read MoreOrigin of the Baltimore Underclass
TheThirdReconstruction.com — As the world watches, Baltimore deals with an all too familiar incident of police misconduct that resulted in the murder of a defenseless Black man. This incident is not surprising or unusual in the communities of America’s historical underclass. However,
Read MoreFive Ways to Avoid Altercations With the Police
By Matthew R. Drayton During the past few months, there has been numerous incidents— some tragic—where police officers were accused of brutality and abuse of power against African Americans, including Ferguson, South Carolina and New York being the most well-known.
Read MoreThe Alliance Looks and Leads to Tomorrow
Educate, organize and mobilize – (www.thethirdreconstruction.com) – This past weekend I attended the 10th NC Black Summit of the Alliance of North Carolina Black Elected Officials (ANCBEO). The Alliance is presently led by the Honorable Richard Hooker, Chairman. I participated as a
Read MoreStudy: Polarization in Congress Is Worsening, and It Stifles Policy Innovation
American politics has grown so polarized in recent years that there’s hardly any cooperation at all across the aisle, but the process that brought us here started long ago. Disagreements have been growing exponentially since the 1950s, according to a
Read MoreOrganizing Against Racism
Educate, organize and mobilize – Recently I was made aware of an initiative that strikes at the very heart of the current and historical challenge to Black equality in America. After a meeting of progressive leaders from around North
Read MoreCoincidence, Providence, Equal Opportunity?
(thethirdreconstruction.com) Educate, organize and mobilize — Back in December of 2014 I started writing and teaching about the “Third Reconstruction.” I described its mission as creating a network of organizations and individuals that were committed to a non-racial, multi-ethnic, equal opportunity
Read MoreWhich States are “Most Democratic”? N.C. and New Hanover County, Take Heed!
Gallup’s recent “State of the State” series1 reveals that Massachusetts and Maryland are the most “Democratic” states (with an over 20 percentage point advantage), and Wyoming and Utah are the most “Republican (with an over 30 percentage point advantage). Our
Read MoreWhere Are the Black Voices?
Educate, organize and mobilize – (thethirdreconstruction.com) – Over the past few weeks I’ve written about the repeated disclosures of racism across America that were intended to remain hidden from the eyes and ears of the public. The racism has been disclosed
Read MoreThe Longest Road: A Dialogue on Racism
Educate, organize and mobilize — Over the past few weeks we’ve witnessed repeated disclosures of racism that were intended to remain hidden from the eyes and ears of the public. Although the disclosures may very well have shocked large segments of
Read MoreThe 400 Year Conspiracy
For many years, I’ve been monitoring the efforts of Blacks–from all walks of life–struggling to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to achieve political, economic, and social justice in America. Over the past two years I’ve been writing commentaries that address these
Read MoreOpen Letter to Starbucks and USA Today
The conversation on race in our country is changing. Once a subject left to be discussed by civil rights leaders, organizers and a few non-profits, race is now a topic for many. Names like Renisha McBride, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner,
Read MoreSeeking a Post-Racial America
Educate, organize and mobilize — Last week I wrote and published an article entitled; The University of Oklahoma: Anywhere USA, (http://thethirdreconstruction.com/the-university-of-oklahoma-anywhere-usa/). I posted the racist chant video to my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/greaterdiversitynews ) and asked a rhetorical question. “Where did they
Read MoreVoter Suppression: From Selma to Shelby
Educate, organize and mobilize — On Saturday and Sunday past, (March 7 & 8) tens of thousands gathered in Selma, Alabama to commemorate “Bloody Sunday” the turning point in the 1965 Civil Rights demonstrations that led to the passage of the Voting Rights
Read MoreANCBEO Seeks Community Empowerment
TheThirdReconstruction.com Educate, organize and mobilize – On Saturday, February 21, 2015, the Alliance of North Carolina Black Elected Officials (ANCBEO) reported on recent studies that were commissioned to gather data and information related to the issues pertinent to policymakers and their
Read MoreWhite Supremacy’s Threat To Democracy TheThirdReconstruction.com
Educate, organize and mobilize — I’ve not ventured into the world of international politics before, but believe that the threat to American democracy for Black people is so profound that international parallels must be drawn. In drawing a parallel that
Read MoreLawyers’ Committee Releases 2014 Election Protection Report: Democracy Should Not Be This Hard
WASHINGTON, D.C – On last Thursday, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) released a report depicting the obstacles to the ballot box experienced during the 2014 general election season and the work performed by the nonpartisan
Read MoreThe AME Church: Economic Empowerment
http://www.thethirdreconstruction.com — Educate, organize and mobilize — Economic empowerment and wealth creation are considered to be the most significant unfinished business of the Civil Rights Movement. As we’ve reported before, our goal for The Third Reconstruction is to help build a
Read MoreResponding to Voter Suppression The Third Reconstruction
Educate, organize and mobilize — For more than a year I’ve tried to keep our readers informed on the nationwide efforts to disenfranchise Blacks and other voters. Many leading thinkers in the Black community have declared that the latest attack on
Read MoreThe Nation’s Kick-Off Event: The Third Reconstruction
Educate, organize and mobilize — Declaring that Americas race problem will require a new reconstruction to solve, The Nation’s Magazine sponsored a forum to discuss The Third Reconstruction. The Nation is 150 years old and was found by abolitionist to aid
Read MoreVoter ID: The Third Reconstruction
Educate, organize and mobilize: I’m continuing to search for a way to get community participation in our efforts to prepare for our voting challenges in November, 2016 and our standing challenge to create community wealth. Recently, the issues of Voter ID
Read MoreOur Challenge Ahead: Creating Black Wealth – The Third Reconstruction
Educate, organize and mobilize: The date of our Voter Empowerment Summit is still tentative so I’ll not elaborate on it beyond what has been said. However, our challenge going forward hasn’t changed and I’ll continue to address it and outline action
Read MoreThird Reconstruction vs. New Confederacy
Educate, organize and mobilize: Over the past months I’ve written about the necessity of Black voters requiring patronage in return for electing politicians to office, political accountability and the Voter Empowerment Summit. This week I’ll highlight ongoing discussions and I’ll address
Read MorePolice Brutality Action Kit
Art by Tes One Artwork from www.showingupforracialjustice.org Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) was formed in 2009 by white people from across the US to respond to the significant increase of targeting and violence against people of color. The killings
Read MoreAdd Economic Justice to the Black Agenda
By Charlene Crowell, NNPA Columnist The groundswell for criminal justice reform has become nearly daily headline news. Demonstrations spanning the nation and many parts of the globe have demanded justice for those lives taken by questionable and fatal police behavior. Yet,
Read MoreTo Be Equal: This Is Why We March
By Marc H. Morial, NNPA Columnist “It’s just so overwhelming to see all who have come to stand with us. Look at the masses – Black, White, all races, all religions…We need to stand like this at all times.” – Gwen
Read MoreThe Voter Empowerment Summit
Educate, organize and mobilize: Last week we announced the upcoming Voter Empowerment Summit scheduled for January 10, 2015 at Martin Street Baptist Church, 1001 E. Martin St. Raleigh, NC 27601. On Monday Night past, a group of us involved in the
Read MoreThe Pawns of Politics Where Is My Patronage?
Educate, organize and mobilize: For more than a year leading up to the recently completed General Elections, I’ve written about Voter Suppression, gerrymandering, the Black vote and voters. The good news from the General Election, if there is any, is that
Read MoreWhere’s My Patronage? Black Voters Search for Benefits
Educate, organize and mobilize: Since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s many Blacks have been loyal and consistent voters, albeit at levels that need to increase. During our most recent elections and other elections going back to the sixties, many
Read MoreVoter Suppression Won Again: We Lost a Battle, Not the War
Educate, organize and mobilize: Although the results of Tuesday’s General Election are very disappointing, they have given us a real measurement of our task ahead. I don’t have any empirical data to prove the exact results of our mobilization to get-out-the-vote
Read MoreDefeat Voter Suppression: D-Day is Here Email your contacts. Facebook your friends.
Educate, organize and mobilize — Again, if you’re not already registered you cannot vote in this year’s General Election. If you follow the news, you already know that the National and North Carolina Republican Parties are engaged in the most
Read MoreVoter Suppression: Polls Don’t Vote Vote Early and Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer.
Recent news reports addressing the November 4th North Carolina, General Election are important but should not be viewed in any way that would cause Black voters to do anything but promote a massive voter turnout. On October 1, the 4th
Read MoreVoter Suppression: One More Round The Ground Game – Getting Out the Vote
Educate, organize and mobilize — Around 30 days and counting, this election season is in the home stretch. The highest profile race is for US Senate between Kay Hagan and Thom Tillis. Although most polls show Senator Hagan with a
Read MoreVoter Suppression: The Black Church Organize, Register and Vote!
Educate, organize and mobilize — This year, as a part of an effort to mobilize Black Voters to vote in November, the Legislative Black Caucus and other leadership organizations invited predominately Black Churches to make Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 into Freedom
Read MoreWealth and Income Inequalities Hurt America’s Economic Recovery
Amid stagnant wages, nagging underemployment and unemployment, many families continue to struggle with their finances. Some may even have wondered: ‘Will we ever make financial head way?’ On September 10, a Capitol Hill briefing was held to unveil a new
Read MoreMoral March to the Polls Organize, Register and Vote!
Educate, organize and mobilize — We’re now in the final stage of our campaign to defeat voter suppression. Therefore, as we count-down to November 4, 2014, I am providing actionable information and deadlines for our readers. This week our title and
Read MoreVoter Suppression: Creating Black Wealth – Vote Your Economics! Yes, We can!
Here I go again. Since November 2013, I’ve been writing commentaries designed to spark enough interest in Black Voters to cause them to vote in November 2014. So far I’ve failed. This week I’m going to introduce another rationale for
Read MoreVoter Suppression: 60 Days and Counting Mobilize! Mobilize! Mobilize!
Educate, organize and mobilize: We’re now in the mobilization phase of our campaign to defeat voter suppression. Therefore, as we count down to November 4, 2014, I will provide actionable information and deadlines for our readers. Two important issues that voters
Read MoreVoter Suppression: JUDGES MATTER Mobilize! Mobilize! Mobilize!
Educate, organize and mobilize: As we draw nearer to D-day, November 4, 2014, the political parties, candidates and pressure groups are identifying their issues, slates and strategies to win. My title to this week’s commentary makes a gross understatement, judges matter.
Read MoreWinning a Dead Heat: Black Elected Officials Mobilize, Mobilize and Mobilize
By most polls the North Carolina race for the United States Senate is a dead heat. That being the case, victory in November will go to the political party that executes the best voter mobilization plan. Since August 2013, I’ve
Read MoreSuppress Voting, Impeach Obama and Close HBCUs
Educate, organize and mobilize: Over the last year I’ve been co-leading the Campaign to Defeat Voter Suppression. Our campaign has sought to educate our communities to the point that they would organize and mobilize for a massive voter turnout for the
Read MoreTight North Carolina Race Could Determine Control of U.S. Senate
RALEIGH, N.C. (NNPA) – U.S. Senator Kay Hagan has been reaching out to communities and constituents across North Carolina galvanizing support for her re-election campaign. The Democratic Senator from North Carolina and her campaign are full steam ahead as they
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The Black Press Must Lead
Educate, Organize and Mobilize – To suggest that I’ve had an enlightening past few weeks would be an understatement. Our readers are well aware of the seemingly endless articles I’ve written about voter suppression, the “Doctrine of Exclusion” and the expectations
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