I wonder if Laverne can read the post Laverne made objectively,
and not see the obvious racism in it.
{"It exists in order to provide security for this white male
dominated society"}
I think Laverne needs to start identifying with the "Human" race
and leave all that other race baggage behind. People seeking
power and control have kept the myth of race alive for far to
long, and Laverne should repudiate it. It has kept the human race
apart for far too long.
I do agree that people with African ancestry come in ever flavor,
color, political persuasion, and even size. About like every other
"group" in this country. I know many Native Americans who have
African ancestry. Or is it African Americans with Native ancestry?
Tiger Woods is what? An African American with Asian ancestry.
Or is he an Asian American with African ancestry? The list goes
on and on.
One year at the "Fourth of July" picnic in my back yard
I took a picture of a bunch of kids. There were Asian kids,
Black kids, Indian kids, Hispanic kids, and White kids all sitting
around a blanket on the grass sharing food. And I do mean
sharing food. Like from each others plate, with every one at
one time laughingly filling up one kids plate with their pie because
he said he never got enough of it. I told my wife that this was a
cool picture because all those kids were American kids. She
said something about the fourth of July, but I corrected her.
I pointed out that, No, every child sitting there, no matter what
their color or shape, shared Native American heritage and blood.
But they did not even think about it. After I had thought about
it for a while I realized that she was correct. The distinguishing
thing about those kids was that they were just typical South
Minneapolis American Kids.
We are such a mixed together group, the idea of race is
absolutely meaningless unless used for political purposes.
Please stop using it unless you are referring to the Human Race.
(Some other time we will have to talk about slavery in this
country, and how people of every color have been the
beneficiaries of this legacy. Stereotypes, no matter from
which side of the spectrum, share one thing.They are almost
always wrong!!!)
Laverne, good luck, on taking on the powers that be. I tend to
be a Democrat, but I am really an anarchist at heart. I love when
someone challenges the hard line entrenched Parties, especially
if they win. Like what Charles Barkley said about Tyson and his
attitude, what they really need is to get their butts kicked now
and then. It is time for some "Progressive Realism".
Jim Graham,
Ventura Village - a Heinz 57 Mutt American, and damn proud of it
----- Original Message -----
From: Laverne Turner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:13 AM
Subject: [Mpls] The Fight against Institutional Racism-David vs. Goliath
The Fight against Institutional Racism-David vs.
Goliath
On June 9,2002 in a press release announcing my
intention to run for Minnesota State Senate without
endorsement, although considered by many to be inline
to win endorsement. I was quoted, "Black people should
not and do need White approval to seek office or to
make important changes in their communities." The
quote may have been the least political correct
language I could have practiced but, I said what I
said and I meant what I said.
Institutional racism exist today in America as much as
it existed during the civil rights movement, the days
of Jim Crow, and the execution of the slave trade. It
exists in order to provide security for this white
male dominated society and maintain their aura of
superiority. The custom of institutional racism has
been demonstrated in every component of American way
of life. Weather it is the area of political practices
are performed, the culture of corporate America,
educational system cirrocumuli standards,
entertainment, or the so-called "war on drugs".
The list can go on and on. I specifically want address
political practices that occur in the Minneapolis
metro area communities in Minnesota and the rest of
the country. Three things that trouble me about
politicians and parties are the categorizing the black
vote. African Americans are separate individuals from
one another and carry different opinions,
perspectives, and experiences as voters and should be
identified as such. There are African American
Republicans, African American Democrats; I am African
American Green, and proud of it. Secondly, the
labeling of issues as black issues. I believe in no
such thing. I do not think African -Americans are the
only people who want decent wage making employment
opportunity, who want their children to receive an
adequate education, worry about not having health
insurance, paying the cost of prescription drugs, and
who want there children to be safe in their own
neighborhoods. Labeling issues opens the door for
potential dismissal of validity issues like police
brutality and the use of excessive force by police.
Lastly, there is the falsehood and giant deterrent of
participation is the sentiment that black people do
not vote. To me, that translates into total disregard
toward individuals and their right to involvement in
the process.
If we as Greens or a nation want to put a dent in the
armor of institutional racism we must refuse to engage
in practices of separation and politics of divide &
conquer.
The Laverne Turner for MN State Senate" Time 4 Some
Action" Campaign is up to the challenge. I am an
African American candidate. My campaign manager is
Jewish, a Hispanic woman is the campaign's executive
committee chair, an Italian American woman is the
campaign treasurer and we are all products of
generation X. This is important to acknowledge
because we are young people trying to be heard. This
is exactly what the young people in the 60's tried to
accomplish. History is repeating itself again and it
is "TIME 4 SOME ACTION."
Laverne Turner
Minneapolis - East Phillips
Green Party Candidate for MN State Senate 61
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