Changing our designation to NPA will strengthen us collectively and give us the power to leverage our votes for our own best interests—our “permanent interests”—as a viable, resolute, and independent voting bloc. It will let politicians know that we are serious about quid pro quo, something they understand all too well. Finally, we will be able to get some “quo” in return for our “quid.”
Now, I understand that many Black people who are died-in-the-wool Dems or Repubs will never register as NPA, but this is not about waiting for or even trying to coax all Black voters to comply with this very sensible and simple strategy. A critical mass of Black voters, willing to close ranks around Congressman Bill Clay’s famous assertion: “We have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, just permanent interests,” will give us the leverage we must have, nationally and locally, to determine the outcomes of various elections and gain reciprocity from those whom we support.
So, this is my first recommendation on how we MAKE Black History this month instead of just celebrating it and being told what our history is via commercials, sales, and folks who know very little or no Black history. A case in point is the recent Tweet by Vice President Mike Pence, who wrote, “As Black History Month begins we remember when President Lincoln submitted the 13th Amendment, ending slavery, to the states.” Say what!?
He suggests we celebrate Black History by acknowledging a White man—someone who did not end slavery by “submitting the 13th Amendment.” I wrote to Pence and suggested to him, in keeping with his “Lincoln freed the slaves” theme, that he should make history by calling for the “exception” clause to be removed from the 13th Amendment (THE One Million’s Plank #11). Then slavery in all forms and under all circumstances, especially for those “duly convicted of crimes” would be eliminated. Don’t you just hate condescension?
The call for us to register as “NPA” is also in line with the advice business mogul, Bob Johnson, gave in his interview with me. (See entire interview on www.triceedneywire.com) He agrees with this tactic, and I will be reaching out to him to be the National Honorary Chairman of this effort. Meanwhile, just go do it; we don’t need fanfare or hoopla.
Get to your respective registration Boards and change to “NPA,” and let’s stop accepting someone else’s interpretation of Black History. Let’s make our own.
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
About Post Author
