On Oct 17, 2006, at 10:40 AM, Charles Brown wrote:
> This article touches on American "populism" and its current
> significance.
>
> http://www.blackcommentator.com/
> 201/201_cover_race_dems_fletcher_ed_bd.html#
>
As always, an interesting piece from Fletcher - he impresses me as a serious radical who lives on planet earth. He and the rest of the Black Commentator crew really should be much better known.
This part seems really promising:
> This must be a project that is both urban and Southern. In other
> words, we need to look to identify areas that are logically
> sympathetic to the politics suggested here. I will give you an
> example of two different approaches in what I believe to be a key
> area: South Carolina. The Labor Party (of which, in the interest
> of full disclosure, I am a member) has just gotten on the ballot in
> South Carolina. I applaud them for this work, but among
> progressives in South Carolina this is not the strategy that I
> would have suggested. Instead, within the Democratic Party in
> South Carolina there is a base, largely African American, which is
> seeking an alternative. Why not build the sort of neo-Rainbow/
> independent organization I am describing here and challenge the
> current leadership of the South Carolina Democrats? Rev. Jesse
> Jackson discusses creating a Third Rail in the South, particularly
> among African American voters. I agree. Build organization among
> the huge numbers of African Americans, growing numbers of Latinos
> and progressive whites who are, effectively, excluded from power
> (both power within the Democratic Party and power within their
> respective states). We need to take a similar approach in urban
> areas, with particular attention to the theme of the class and
> racial cleansing that is taking place in our major metropolitan
> areas. Our politics must be more than abhorrence to the current
> policies of the Democrats (and certainly the Republicans) but must
> be pro-active in suggesting a different course. Our social base
> within the cities is looking for a better life and does not wish to
> be expelled from the cities, though it does not want to live in
> crumbling neighborhoods. Let this fight be our battle-cry!
Doug