Posts tagged with "democracy"

A Coup d’État in Wilmington: How a Thriving Black Community Was Destroyed by a White Mob OTD in 1898

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The Wilmington Massacre of 1898 stands as a stark reminder of the racial violence and injustice that has shaped American history. This horrific event, in which a white mob overthrew a legitimately elected biracial government in Wilmington, North Carolina, and killed dozens, if not hundreds, of Black residents, is a chilling example of the lengths to which white supremacy has been enforced in this country.

The Significance of the Wilmington Massacre

The Wilmington Massacre was not an isolated incident. It was part of a larger pattern of racial violence and oppression that has plagued the United States since its founding. This event, however, was unique in its brazenness and its direct attack on democracy. The white supremacists who carried out the massacre were not content to simply disenfranchise Black voters; they sought to completely eliminate Black political power and restore white rule.

The massacre’s legacy continues to shape American culture today. The racial tensions and inequalities that fueled the violence in Wilmington are still present in our society. The ongoing demand for reparations for the descendants of enslaved people and victims of racial violence is a direct result of the historical injustices that culminated in events like the Wilmington Massacre.

Lessons Learned and the Pursuit of the “America Yet to Be”

The Wilmington Massacre serves as a painful lesson about the dangers of white supremacy and the fragility of democracy. It reminds us that the fight for racial justice is far from over. As Langston Hughes wrote in his famous poem, “Let America Be America Again,” we are still striving to create an America that lives up to its ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all.

The ongoing pursuit of this “America yet to be” requires a commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation. We must acknowledge the sins of our past, including the Wilmington Massacre, and work to repair the damage that has been done. This means supporting reparations initiatives, investing in communities of color, and dismantling systemic racism in all its forms. 

Takeaways

  • The Wilmington Massacre was a turning point in American history, marking a violent backlash against Reconstruction and the brief period of Black political power that followed the Civil War.
  • The massacre’s legacy continues to shape American culture and politics today.
  • The demand for reparations is a direct response to the historical injustices that culminated in events like the Wilmington Massacre.
  • We must learn from the lessons of the past and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
  • The pursuit of the “America yet to be” is an ongoing struggle that requires the commitment and dedication of all Americans.

By remembering the Wilmington Massacre and other atrocities of our past, we can honor the victims and work towards a future where such violence and injustice are never repeated.

Hopes for Harris Presidency Hinge on Concrete Policy Changes

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By Josh Paul

Former Director, U.S. Department of State.
Senior Advisor at DAWN, (DAWN; Founded by Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, DAWN promotes democracy & human rights in the Middle East and North Africa).
https://dawnmena.org/

When asked by media and allies I have expressed a belief that a Harris presidency would be “slightly better” than the Biden Presidency has been for Gaza, in part because she is not a hard-cast ideologue on this issue as Biden is, and in part because her team are more moderate and reasonable (and frankly also more thoughtful and self-aware) than Biden’s team are.

But the devil is in the details. When it comes to those details, it is hard to point to a specific area where we can be sure a Harris presidency would be better. Would they be more likely to condition or suspend arms transfers? They have been explicit that they would not. Would they enforce the U.S. laws already on the books, such as 620I or Leahy? They have not said they would. Would they stand up for the rights of peaceful protestors on campuses across America? They have given no sign of doing so, and indeed, Harris’ responses both to the protests at the time of Netanyahu’s visit to Washington DC, and to protests at her own campaign events, have been deeply disappointing – and their unwillingness to even give a Palestinian-American a voice at the Democratic Convention was a very worrying sign.

I also believe that no individual, not even at the level of the President of the United States, can bring transformative change to U.S. policy on this issue in the next four years given how firmly entrenched the current approach is across American politics – this is something that will take many years to fix, and in the coming weeks I will be unveiling a new effort to address this strategically, holistically, and effectively.

In the meantime, I, and others I have spoken to, would like to believe that Harris would be slightly better than where we are. But there is only so long we can wave our hands at generalities and presumptions – we need clear words from the Harris campaign that give a basis for these hopes. Without those, it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold to such hopes, and the polls demonstrate that the Harris campaign should be increasingly concerned about the implications of this gap between hopes and words – let alone actions – for outcomes of the election in key states.

The ball is in their, and her, court.

Newbern, Alabama: A Historic Mayoral Victory After Years of Racist Strife

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“Patrick Braxton is the first Black person to become mayor in the small town of Newbern, Alabama, in the town’s 166-year history.” – ABC News

In the small town of Newbern, Alabama, a significant milestone has been achieved after a protracted legal battle. rooted in blatant racism and undemocratic practices reminiscent of the Jim Crow era. Patrick Braxton, the first Black person to be elected mayor in the town’s 166-year history, has finally been recognized as the rightful leader of the town government after a 4-year legal battle.

Braxton’s journey to mayoral recognition was fraught with obstacles. After qualifying to run for the non-partisan position in 2020, Braxton became mayor-elect by default as the sole candidate. However, he was allegedly locked out of town hall and prevented from fulfilling his mayoral duties by some town officials.

This led to a protracted legal dispute that has now been resolved through a lawsuit settlement. The settlement not only acknowledges Braxton as the mayor of Newbern but also mandates the town to hold municipal elections, a practice that has been dormant for decades.

This historic victory for Braxton marks a turning point for Newbern, symbolizing a shift towards a more inclusive and democratic local government. The story of Patrick Braxton serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

 

The Legal Defense Fund, which represented Braxton and other residents, released this statement on behalf of the plaintiffs, “This victory marks a new chapter for Newbern,” said Mayor Patrick Braxton. “I am so grateful to finally get to serve the people of Newbern. This is a win for not only me, but for all of the residents of Newbern. After decades, we will finally be able to act as citizens to cast our ballots and actively participate in the democratic process. I look forward to working together with the city council and town residents to move forward and shape our collective future.”

The full press release can be found HERE.

According to official records, “Newbern, a tiny town of 133 people about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Selma, has a mayor-council government but did not hold elections for six decades. Instead, town officials governed through “hand-me-down” positions with the mayor appointing a successor and the successor appointing council members, according to the lawsuit filed by Braxton and others. That practice resulted in an overwhelmingly white government in a town where Black residents outnumber white residents by a 2-1 margin.