As an added follow up: a discussion could also be conducted around the pointed visibility of Black/African American socio-political organization in contrast to those seemingly non-existent “White” interest organizations.

My viewpoint/opinion is as follows:

1. In this country, the historic ideology (driven home by the former passive/aggressive political stance on slavery in it’s early days; followed by Jim Crow laws in the South prior to the Civil Rights era) is one that this country was a country discovered, created and run by and for the interest of “White” men. Therefore, anything not labeled for the special interest subcultures (including those for women) automatically served the purpose of “White” men first; “White’ people as a whole. That ideology obviously stuck — which is why not many people outside of very young Americans and those from other countries react in ideological protest to the existence of “Black” organizations. However, I agree that, in this modern American society that expresses a wish to rid itself of racism — ANY organization that serves a political special interest based on race would, indeed, be perpetuating racism.

2. Organizations serving “White’ interest did (and stlll do) exist. In this country’s earlier years — given the high population of immigrants from European cultures — there were many, many, many clubs and organizations that served the special interest of those cultures. However, you’re also speaking of a period when individuals & families represented by those cultures would also create insulated regional communities based on their country of origin (thus,traditionally Italian, Polish, Irish, Greek, German and Jewish “neighborhoods” historically seem to subdivide every major city in America). So – again — when “separate but equal” rules the social climate, someone has to speak for those groups when universal socio-political impacts occur (local/federal government, municipal services, employment, etc). HOWEVER, you may not see or hear much from these organizations anymore because, without the differentiator of skin color (and with no connection to countries of origin) — many of the descendants of European immigrants were able to totally assimilate into American culture. Thus, with no need for a strong political voice, and no “special” interest to speak for — those groups either disbanded or became very quiet organizations focused on the intra-social aspects of their communities. The only anomaly would be that of the Jewish Community; in that they, similar to Blacks, are seen as a subculture that continues to be subject to hateful ideologies that could potentially limit their rights or make them targets of racism – despite the power or influence they may have as a group.

3. The KKK would be the most well known and discussed “White” interest org. They still exist (and any power they have can only be guessed.. conspiracy theorists claim that their members wield a lot of quiet, secretive power and wealth in this country; others believe that they’re simply a collection of angry, ignorant, uneducated hicks meeting in barns in rural areas — my guess is, they’re a mixture of all kinds of individuals who hold true to their ideology of protection of supremacy). However, they’re considered a “hate group” by the Federal Government (not “special interest”). The universally held difference between the KKK and any other special interest group based on support of a racial subgroup is explained in the latter half of point #1 above.

In a nutshell — all of the noteworthy organizations that cater to an African American or Black “special interest” were originally created to serve as social, professsional and political support groups.

At the time of their creation, Blacks in the U.S. were institutionally held as 2nd Class Citizens and — depending founding date of the specific organization — had not long been considered a “citizen” at all; but were instead viewed as either subordinate objects of property purchased for the purpose of conducting forced, manual labor; or viewed as not even being human at all.

With that line of thinking about the Black societal subgroup being the most prominent (because there have always been exceptions); many rights provided to a “real citizen” or a “real human” were denied to Blacks. And, for those exceptional individuals/families that “rose above” those constraints – there wasn’t much support provided to keep them buoyant (as a group/class) in their success. Also, In those areas where a thriving community of Blacks existed in majority (which was rare) — there was a strong policy of “Seperate but Equal” existed. No group, no matter how insulated, can be an “island” in this country and continue to survive with no connection or regard for the communities of influence that surround them. Therefore, there was also an existing need to provide various voices that could speak (and be heard) in our behalf within various public/social/professional forums.

Thus, many of these groups labeled in the “Black” interest were born of that need. The question we’ll have to begin asking SOON is whether they’re still required. It seems that those organizations have not yet shifted their focus; and have not yet begun to speak on behalf of ALL disenfranchised minorities/subgroups (as they’re expected to do).

Instead, however, they continue to serve a perceived “Black interest” that no longer even properly fits the evolved interest of many Blacks/African Americans. Yet and still – citizens of this country are simultaneously proving that NONE of us (as a group – black, white, purple, whatever) are yet “Post-Racial” enough in our political ideology to totally disband the special-interest groups or label them obsolete. Thus, there is fear that if you totally shut down those organizations and relinquish any socio-political power they may hold… there will be no one to still other powerful hands that have motive to remove previous rights granted.

co-sign.

However, I truly don’t understand choosing Donnie McClurkin to open the event.

Firstly, I’m always perplexed by why — at most civic, social and fundraising events for African American-centric organizations — we MUST always slather some Jesus all over everything. I realize that “The Church” is a prominent aspect of our culture; but in this day and age it always comes off as contrived, unnecessary and/or forcibly PLACED on every agenda.

Secondly, if Jesus MUST be invited – (I personally think he’d prefer to be left out of some of these events – especially NAACP meetings, Urban League conventions and the BET Awards) – there are SEVERAL other entertaining (and sincere) gospel artists that can be called upon to invoke “The Lawd” through the medium of inspirational voice.

We don’t HAVE to invite (and pay… and promote…) a self-hating, disingenuous, faux-straight like McClurkin. His voice is great — but it’s no better than Yolanda Adams’ or Marvin Sapp’s. And — none of these people are any closer to God than any of the rest of us. You want Jesus (or whatever representation of God that you prefer) to show up for dinner? Each attendee can open with a silent, personal, individual prayer. Your God will manifest, you’ll have peace… and others don’t have to be faced with participating in promotion of hate.

Damn it all to hell, when will I ever learn: Nobody, no matter how badly _they’ve_ been unfairly maligned, gives two shits about us expendable queers, nor about the union workers who are getting fucked up the ass (and not in a nice way) by Manchester.

And McCLURKIN did the opening act?! If there was any question before about the NABJ’s attitude toward LGBTs, this seals it. What better way to say “Fuck you!” than a repeat of The Great Obama Homophobia Tour of ’07?

And I don’t give a hoot about the Hyatt parent corporation; if labor and equal rights meant a thing to the suits, they’d cut Manchester loose and let him fend for himself.

As for breaking contracts, it seems to me a couple of million dollars is a small price to pay for doing what’s _right_. (I’m looking at you too, APA — are y’all gonna cover your faces like so many frogmarched criminals when you cross the picket lines?)

But then, I don’t understand this sort of cognitive dissonance, probably because I’m not beholden to out-of-touch rich people for my survival — or for free cocktail-party schmoozefests.

Wow….just…wow…

What’s the Vegas odds on her being an anti-semite, too? That’s usually the next domino to fall.