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effective instruments of empowerment
i am moved by the response of the black
community to the challenge of katrina. i am impressed with
the armies of volunteers that have emerged fully armored from
the ground. i am impressed by the adhoc networks that have
sprung out of thin air. i have noted the adhoc network
forged by miriam willis of memphis from resources forged from
years of struggle.
i have noted how rudy of chickenbones was
able to transform his informal network of intellectual
dialogues into an effective clearinghouse of timely and enabling
information, an instrument that was not possible before the
advent of the net. i have noted how black america web has
positioned itself and listserv groups like vivaarts out in
california
have suddenly manifested as effective
instruments of empowerment in a manner never before possible.
what were casual networks have been transformed by adversity
into instruments. melvin gibbs of the hoodoo way called it
a testing and so far i judge black america to have met the test.
i salute you.
i have also noted the lack of timely
response by mainstream black organizations, the naacp and the
national urban league have been tardy, as have alternative
leadership like the nation of islam and the black radical
congress. ah but the people, by god the people have done
me proud, based on what i know to be happening in memphis, i
assume to be
happening in the other sanctuary cities and
the Black Net(work) has become a force to be reckoned with. for
all the tragedy this has been, the africanamerican community has
pulled together in response and shown itself to be an effective
force in our first true challenge of the 21st century. i
am proud to be part of this moment
in struggle
rickydoc flowers
September 2005
posted September 14, 2005 |
